Hope - that I can find my way back out...
by krazy

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Hi Krazy...

This is a neat technique photo, but I believe it is a bit of a stretch on the challenge theme. The image itself doesn't seem to relay much on the theme without the title. The idea here and the effect of light created by your technique is excellent though :)

John Setzler

Survival of the Smallest
by pmichaud

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Hi Ancientimages...

Hummingbirds are interesting creatures. They have a lot of beauty simply in their petite size and precision motion around my feeders.

This photo feels like a bit of a 'wedge' into this challenge. When a viewer looks at this photo and tries to evaluate the tie in to the theme of hope, I believe they will be left wanting. The photo also feels quite underexposed. The composition here has a bit too much negative space to really make the hummingbird a strong subject. The blurred background helps, but I believe the bird needs to fill more of the frame here to be successful as a great bird photo. Its difficult to get close to these guys :)

John Setzler

Hoping it will last
by MotoCycleBoi

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Hi MotoCycleBoi...

This is a nice shot for a wedding album. I can't really offer you much 'critique' on a shot of this nature, because you are not in control of the total environment. There are some elements of this photo that could be better obviously, but without total control, they would not be possible. One of the most difficult issues of shooting outside is keeping the model's eyes from sqinting. It doesn't look like you were working in sunlight, which is good, but maybe the light behind you is bright enough to make the people squint their eyes. The wind could also be contributing to that as well...

Weddings would be fun to shoot.. keep up the good work :)

John Setzler

36 Weeks Pregnant
by nathaliedoo

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Hi Nathaliedoo...

This is a beautiful composition. I absolutely love everything about the view you chose here. The high key nautre of it works fairly well also. I think this is an excellent canditate for black and white because the colors within the image don't work particularly well for me. There is not enough color to provide any significant strength, and the image almost appears monochromatic by nature. The color within the image also doesn't seem to mesh well with your choice of border colors. That particular combination, to me, just feels bland. I think this image, converted to black and white would have a nice gallery quality feel to it if the pink part of the border was also changed to black.

Added: After reading the comments you received, I rememberd that I did a high key 'minimal' image for this challenge as well. That concept doesn't seem to do well here at DPC. The voters here aren't used to seeing it and don't give it a 'chance' to be absorbed for what it is. There are a few who recognize the merit in it, but I was definitely surprised at how few...

Excellent work :)

John Setzler

Message edited by author 2004-09-02 13:44:59.

Morning Fog
by mocabela

Comment:
This is beautiful :) Very nice work...

Secret Garden
by jmsetzler

Comment:
I added the grain after the shot. I agree that fishnet stockings would have been better, but I didn't have any at my disposal for this shoot. It was sort of an afterthough after looking at this photo. I may try that next time around.

The naked truth?
by Amason

Comment:
Setzler Comment:

Some general ratings (1-10): These are some elements that I look for in great photographs, in no specific order…

Visual Appeal: 10
Subject Appeal: 8
Compositional Appeal: 8
Effective use of color/bw: 10
Creativity: 10
Theme/Storytelling qualities: 10
Title: 7

Additional Comments:

Excellent shot. I can't really add any suggestions for improvement :)

Passion
by Firstrich1

Comment:
Setzler Comment:

Some general ratings (1-10): These are some elements that I look for in great photographs, in no specific order…

Visual Appeal: 8
Subject Appeal: 9
Compositional Appeal: 8
Effective use of color/bw: 8
Creativity: 10
Theme/Storytelling qualities: 10
Title: 7

Additional Comments:

This is one of the better and more effective uses of selective desaturation that I have seen recently. The nice light and the softness add quite a bit to the storyline in this photo... excellent work...

In Repose
by Toddh

Comment:
Setzler Comment:

Some general ratings (1-10): These are some elements that I look for in great photographs, in no specific order…

Visual Appeal: 10
Subject Appeal: 10
Compositional Appeal: 7
Effective use of color/bw: 7
Creativity: 10
Theme/Storytelling qualities: 10
Title: 10

Additional Comments:

You are a lucky photographer. I have been dying to have the opportunity to photography a pregnant woman. I don't know if my chance will ever come or not, but this is certainly a worthy photo... great stuff :)

....as the day you were born.
by mrorange002

Comment:
Setzler Comment:

Some general ratings (1-10): These are some elements that I look for in great photographs, in no specific order…

Visual Appeal: 9
Subject Appeal: 10
Compositional Appeal: 10
Effective use of color/bw: 10
Creativity: 10
Theme/Storytelling qualities: 8
Title: 8

Additional Comments:

This is a great photo. The composition you chose works nicely to create some universal appeal... excellent work :)