Resolved: I'll finally learn how to use my strobes correctly!
by vawendy

Comment:
I'm guessing the voters didn't relate to having the strobe in the picture. It is a beautiful shot, and the bird is lit perfectly. So much to like about this photo.

Light
by myqyl

Comment:
FWIW - You\'ve picked a tough scene to edit - a night shot with bright lights, but not enough distance to blend the lights into a pattern. First, I agree with giantmike that the left side of the photo really is distracting. My impression is that your subject was really the lit fence, and your choices were made in order to show the fence. IMO, this image wants to be more about the church - so, I\'d suggest a tight crop; maybe even a fill-the-frame. Next, the church is distorted by the lens and perspective, so a bit of distortion correction may be helpful (so the left and right sides don\'t slope in opposite directions - especially towards the top). Horizontally, it is pretty close to level, but might be a bit better. Finally, on an image like this, you kind-of have to make a choice between pp for the lights (typically leaving the back & buildings dark) or for the building (typically resulting in blown out areas in & around the lights) - maybe others would have suggestions on how to resolve that dilemma...
Edmonds, WA, huh? What a beautiful area to do photography in! I have family in the Everett, Snohomish area.

Abandoned
by rockyrajan

Comment:
Not a bad score - you beat me! Great concept.

That Which Soothes the Savage Beast
by Art Roflmao

Comment:
Lunch?

Big wheel keep on turnin'
by Yo_Spiff

Comment:
It looks like you are having WAY to much fun! Great shot!

A Writing-in-the-sky
by chetandesai

Comment:
Clever juxtaposition of elements. The pen almost looks like the bow of a large ship.

Fido's colors...
by apercep

Comment:
To me, this either has a focus issue, or a depth of field too narrow issue. Neat concept, but it rather relies on the title to clarify your intent. It seems that the in-focus area ends just before the middle of the circle, leaving the middle (where the eye is drawn) and beyond slightly OOF.

discombobulated
by MinniePott

Comment:
Interesting perspective, but why am I bothered by the lack of symmetry in the arrangement of the pen tips?

Basket for Writing Implements
by whiterook

Comment:
3
I like the bright color of the basket, and the contrast of red & green.
Some suggestions: 1) Use a plain background - a patterned print is usually distracting. 2) No "waves" in the background - deliberate folds are OK if they help the image - a background that doesn't hang smoothly is not a help. 3) No weird shadows on the background, like there is at the far right of your shot. 4) Avoid things like the tear on the table top. 5) Move in closer - your actual subject matter (basket of pencils & pens) is only about 1/4 of your picture - try crops that don't show the whole object. 6) Try to avoid adding halos around objects in post processing - like those visible around the pens, papers, and basket handle against the patterned background. 7) Try different angles (I struggle with this) - your shot looks like you plopped the basket on a table, pointed the camera at it and took the picture - look for a message in what you are shooting, and try different angles / arrangements to SHOUT the message. 8) Pick one thing to "show" in your photo - in this case, because of the challenge, that should probably be the pencils & pens - once selected, don't let anything else in the image detract from the main subject.
Do not be discouraged. Hopefully others will also give you good feedback on your work. The suggestions / vote is based on the image, and is in no way a comment on you or your photographic skills. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Happy Holidays from Me and My Cat
by juliecotterill

Comment:
Congratulations on your first entry in dpc!
Do keep in mind that scores on challenges here are not a comment on the quality of your picture or your skill as a photographer, but on your entry's appeal across a broad, diverse, world-wide audience.
For example, Ansel Adams couldn't ribbon in the challenge "In the style of Ansel Adams".
I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.