The Yellow Magic
by diverss

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

I think trying to do a drop of any kind is challenging, so kudos to you for giving it a go. However, this is a rather over done subject on DPC and as such, it would need to REALLY stand out to score well.

I believe this suffers quite a lot from a technical perspective. The composition could be improved by not having the drop so centered. A little to the left or right would work better and could be achieved in photoshop, although it would be better in camera.

The image could do with being sharper. Based on the Exif data you chose 1/250, so it should be a bit sharper than it is. Did you use a tripod? (You state that you used 1/4000, but the exif data in the image itself does not show that, so I am wondering what happened here?) Incidentally, the file size is really small at 82kb, so likely you are losing detail when resizing. Have you tried resizing using Save for Web? This is probably the preferred way of saving images for use on DPC as it gives slightly larger file sizes without reducing the quality.

So, I believe the primary reason for the low score relates to subject matter combined with the technical issues.

Keep practicing and you may be the next IreneM

Steps
by Melethia

Comment:
Deb, love the blurry leg, it's cool.

"Shell Game"
by jdixonsd

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

I really like the idea you have here, it is very creative.

I believe the technical aspects of this image prevented it from scoring higher, certainly the subject was a good one. From a compositional point of view I think this is spot on. The shells are placed well and lead the eye nicely through the picture. I would quite like to see it the other way round, ie the smaller shell at the front, but that is only for the sake of curiosity nothing more!

What I think hurts this the most is the lighting and your exposure. You have over exposed the image to try and emphasise the white in the background. Fully understand why you would do that, but in so doing, you have also blown out the highlights on the shells, which means you have lost a lot of detail.

It's quite possible your original photo was not over exposed and the overexposure has only taken place during post processing. You state you have just adjusted the brightness, so perhaps (given this was an advanced challenge) you could have used a bit more of a sophisticated post processing technique to help keep the detail in the subject. I do not know what software you use, but for example a levels adjustment layer would give you a little more control when trying to adjust the highlights, then using the brightness only. (Curves would also work if you have the full version of Photoshop). One technique I have used is to adjust the levels and then duplicate the background layer, adjust the mode to soft light, then play with the opacity of this layer. That way you can get a bit more contrast and detail in the subject. (I am not a great Photoshop technician, so it must be relatively simple if I can do it!)

Somebody else also mentioned the focus. Again, I do believe that hurt your score a bit too.

Like I said in the beginning, I think this was a great idea and it's only a pity that the technical aspects let you down.

Sarah

~ Cold/Hot ~
by Ja-9

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

I think you did very well to come up with something a little outside the box for this challenge. Sometimes that pays off and sometimes it doesn't. Judging by the score, in this case, it probably didn't.

In my opinion, the main reason this did not score higher, is the lack of a white background. You were being hit hard by the DNMC police.

From a compositional point, this is OK, but could have been improved a bit by a step to the left. Meaning that the main subject would have been at a slightly different angle, rather than straight on. The focus is not particularly sharp, which will hurt. I see that a function of using a slowish shutter speed (1/20) rather than a use of selective focus from Depth of Field. It is almost impossible to handhold and shoot below 1/60 and the longer the focal length of the lens the faster the shutter speed needs to be to avoid camera shake. With your lens, focal lengths between 18 & 60 you can get away with 1/60, but at 135, you would need a shutter speed more like 1/160 to keep the subject sharp. Of course, if your lens has VR (vibration reduction), then you may be able to use slighly lower shutter speeds when handholding.

The next aspect I doubt you had any control over, if you were at an antique venue, but the fact that the taps themselves are rather dirty probably didn't help much. You know DPCers like pristine things!

Actually, now I have written my observations I just read the comments received.

Sorry didn't do better, I think it was a good idea. I didn't vote in this challenge, but I probably would have given it a 4 or 5, due to the above mentioned technical issue with the focus.

Hopefully this short critique has helped a bit.
Sarah

Mountain Morning
by Len Scap

Comment:
Lovely greens in this one. Clouds are suffering a bit from the processing, which is a bit of a shame, otherwise very nicely done (voted earlier 7)

The Outside World
by Jewlya

Comment:
Lovely seeing the hustle and bustle of the street outside. I may have boosted the saturation a little to make it really pop, but nevertheless, still a high score from me

:-O!
by sukuriant

Comment:
Golly, so close and in focus. Well done, they move so fast

New York City
by sfarrell23

Comment:
Nicely done view of the city

"Mr Percival"
by Calvin

Comment:
what a fabulous close up!

Guitar Player
by parkern7

Comment:
nice use of DOF