Lonely
by Luguer

Comment:
I agree with the crop suggestions. There is a lot of empty space on the left and top areas. I like being able to see the bottom so well.

Sailboats at Sunset #2
by pjangel

Comment:
The crop helps. It also makes the distant horizon more prominent, which is good.

Fog-at-Twin-Peaks
by sfalice

Comment:
That is some thick fog. The tower is a very unusual looking structure. A polarizer may have done a lot for color in the open part of the sky. That is quite a range of zoom with the lens you used for this shot.

Boat and Coot
by tinky2

Comment:
I feel that this would have been better shot vertical, to include more of the mast and it's reflection. I do like the spot of color that the boat presents against the grey looking water, and the gentle ripples in the reflections.

Girly Gate of Curvy Lovelyness
by gehaus

Comment:
I can see what you were shooting for here. I am not sure how to shoot this scene so that it would not be so "busy" looking, unless you shot it from ground level, with the sky behind the gate. I think that I would have moved in close if possible, and shot a small area of the gate with the wavy rod being the primary subject, in order to get the "S" curve. The gate is an interesting piece of art. The colors do not seem to work well with the house color behind it for me.
It takes time to develop the eye for simplicity and "eye magnetism" in your images. Looking at good images posted by others will help to speed that learning curve along.
Good luck with dpc and your camera. Keep shooting and posting images.

Dim sum
by gehaus

Comment:
Getting a good silhouette is not as easy as it looks. It's good to keep the subject down to a minimum of lines or a simple outline that looks like a black cut-out laid on a brighter background. I got hammered on my first challenge entry as well, so don't let it get to you.
I think that you can adjust the Rebel settings to increase contrast if you go thru the manual and look for it.

two inches of perfection II.jpg
by saltwatershots

Comment:
I am guessing that this is a wake, because the water on the leading side of the wave is so smooth. In any case, it is an excellent composition, and love the colors.

Emeraldrainbow.jpg
by Luguer

Comment:
Nice color combo in this shot. The smooth curve is good too. Macro is big in this side challenge.

Mt. Shasta, California
by pjangel

Comment:
Wow, that's an inspiring view. Nicely composed with the two taller trees balancing the image and adding depth.

608951
by undieyatch

Comment:
I like the texture of the piling in the center. I would name the shot "Blonde" for the lady in the background. I like the way the light is on the one post and not the other.