Satsuki Matsuri (May Festival)
by yanko

Comment:
Congrats! The selective desat and the DOF made it my top pic in this challenge. Great shot!

The Big Bang
by DUCATISTA

Comment:

Originally posted by Addammer: Excellent! Very well thought out! Only thing is I would darken the hand a little.

Thanks again for all comments and votes! I appreciate that you (all of you) take time to comment and to give critique.

Two months ago I had never even heard of DPC, and now I have won two ribbons within a week, thanks to everything I have learned here on DPC!

Yes, I fully agree that the hand in the picture should be a little darker. The skin tones of the face and the hand were different, so I should have compensated it with the lighting. If this wasn't a Basic Editing Challenge I would have fixed it in Photoshop. Another lesson learned here on DPC! :-)

On The Edge
by DUCATISTA

Comment:

Originally posted by karmat: CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE by karmat It is truly difficult to "critique" a ribbon winner without sounding like I am just searching for things to complain about. So, I'll tell you what I think works in this shot, and what was appealing, and what I *personally* think could be "improved" upon. Technically, you have nailed it. The lighting on this is consistent and even. This allows for details to show throughout the shot. It also makes for a very clean, well focused shot. The slight shadowing on the apple also gives just a touch of depth, otherwise the shot might appear to be a bit flat. The focus is good and the water on the apple gives it a nice touch. Compositionally, to me, it is static. To have the knife straight through the shot, gives it kind of a "ho-hum" feeling. Granted, the knife is in the lower third of the picture, and that gives it a sense of strength, and the apple is just off of center, so that helps to counter the "static" feeling, but it doesn't add any real interest to the shot. I think technically, you have done a very good job, and the voters rewarded you handsomely for that. Congratulations! This would be an excellent stock type shot as well. karmat

Thanks karmat for your critique, I really appreciate it! That's why I'm here on DPC; to learn and to improve. I have never ever taken picures like this before (just 'holiday pictures' :) and I'm very much a beginner in Photoshop, so have a lot to learn!!

On The Edge
by DUCATISTA

Comment:

Originally posted by splidge: Congratulations on your joint third finish, hopefully your ribbon is in the post... Is that a Global knife by any chance? :) splidge

Yes it's a Global knife :-) I don't have one my self (yet...), I borrowed it from a friend for the challenge.

On The Edge
by DUCATISTA

Comment:

Originally posted by Artyste: Might want to go in at 200 - 300% and clean up your edge editing in the future. (Not that it'd be noticeable on *most* monitors I think, but it's clearly visible on mine.) Some strange effects around the edges of the apple and top of the knife (and some on the handle). Just for future reference anyway. Just pointing out what I see.

Thanks! I'm really a beginner (and about to discover the techniques with Photoshop...) and appreciate all comments and critiques!

On The Edge
by DUCATISTA

Comment:

Originally posted by ludde: Hehe, sverige är på g nu ;) Grattis till 4:e platsen :)

Tack! Kul att se fler från 'Svedala' här. Lycka till på DPC!!

Drag
by DUCATISTA

Comment:

Originally posted by dmadden: Well done and welcome! And what a fantastic score for a 1st entry. Remind me of puckzzz 1st entry in that it scored so high (must be a pentax thing:) Congratulations!

Thanks! Yes, probably a Pentax thing :-))

Drag
by DUCATISTA

Comment:
Thank you all for your votes and comments!!

Not too bad for a beginner... :-D

Red HOT Chilli
by aKiwi

Comment:
Perfect composition, lighting and color. The smoke makes the picture exciting.