Swingin'
by Konador

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Hi Ben...

This is an excellent photo and it meets the challenge with a lot of strength. As you may be aware, I really enjoy photographing live performances. You had some nice light to work with in this image. The lighting is everything in this type of photography. This one has a very nice warmth to it.

There isn't much I would change about this image. I know how difficult it is to get exactly what you would like to have when working in this type of environment. When you consider your composition on any given photo, you have to ask yourself a few questions. These questions can be useful in about any situation.

1. What do I want to show my viewer?

Your obvious subjects in this image are the musicians. You captured them well.

2. What is in my composition that is irrelevent or doesn't add anything to the image?

The only thing I see in this image that becomes irrelevant is the minor bit of keyboard in the lower left corner. There is not enough of it visible to let it be a viable part of the composition. You could probalby crop this out and keep the composition strong. When you are thinking about this, you can compose erroneous elements out in some cases. In others, you may want to crop it out if possible. The most important part of it is to find your strongest shooting point in the beginning and work from there first. Spend some time evaluating.

There is one other element of this image that could provide some extra strength, but it is out of your control. The man with the red-striped jacket doesn't have enough face showing. Seeing a profile of his face would create more impact, or possibly if he was looking more in your direction.

As I read your own comment about using the Sony, I'm surprised you got any good shots in the low light. It may be possible that there is more light in this scene than this photograph shows though :)

At any rate, this is an excellent photo. I have enjoyed watching you 'grow' with your camera. You have come a long way since I first met you here at DPChallenge :)

John Setzler

refreshing!!
by fredroj

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Hi Fredroj...

This is a nice composition for a product photogrpahy shot. There are a few issues that could probably stand a little extra attention. The out of focus background works nicely, but there are some hot spots in it that compete for attention with your main subject on the left. Correcting an issue like this requires changing your lighting. Since your camera is probably taking a majority of its meter reading from the bottle in the foreground (which is darker), it's allowing the light in the background to get more exposure than it needs. Changing the position of the light source, or adding an additional light source on the primary subject would help even out this exposure a bit.

The text on the bottle is also rather important for this shot. Some additional depth of field would help you bring that area into sharper focus.

Keep up the good work :)

John Setzler

Portrait of President Lincoln
by postoakinversion

Comment:
I traditionally don't like photos of coins. This one, however, is extraordinary, IMO. I really love the dark fade-off at the top and bottom of the coin. That, coupled with the copper color of the penny really create a warm and inviting image. The imperfections in the surface of the coin really add a lot to the overall appeal of the photo for me. Kudos on an excellent photo :) = 10

Fish
by jjbeguin

Comment:
This is excellent. I waded through all these photographs in this challenge and this one is the only one that really stood out for me. Each time we have a macro challenge, a majority of the photographers go for the 'extreme' macro and forget everything they know about good photography, including composition. This is one of the reasons I usually dislike challenges that focus on a technique. These challenges usually yield a ton of photographs that have no aesthetic appeal. I love the color, light, and texture in this photo. It's very rich in all these aspects, and I find interest in the subject as well. Phenomenal work.... = 10 = Best of Show...

Daydreamer
by JPR

Comment:
I like this photo quite a bit :) The color saturation feels a bit strong for my personal taste, but the composition and idea is wonderful... great shot :)

00011110 v2
by Mousie

Comment:
This is the inspiring photograph that I saw when I joined this site that made me decide to try to use my camera creatively. I saw this photo the first day I joined DPChallenge and realized that a camera is more than a tool for populating a family album. Anyone who uses a camera for creative purposes probably has some similar 'root' in the art, and this one is mine.

John Setzler

October colors
by Dim7

Comment:
This photo does not work for me at all. I understand your intent with the color based on your title, but the tree trunk in the center of this frame is just creating a huge 'block' of the view in this scene. It appears that you wanted this small waterfall to be a part of the composition. If that is true, I would have given it more attention in the composition.

Michelle
by lagavulin

Comment:
This is a very well done simple portrait. The light is nice and even. I think her eyes really set this photo in motion for me... great shot.. = 10

Heavy Metal
by tyt2000

Comment:
This is a great shot... very intense. You have successfully relayed the power that is a part of heavy metal music. This also makes a great black and white... great shot :) = 10

Searching for an Audience
by lousy_beatnik

Comment:
This is excellent :) Great eye and great composition...