by nixter

Comment:
great lighting

2am at the Cathedral
by JimiRose

Comment:
I like the slight blur. It gives it a feeling of "motion" and makes it seem more real

1-april 08. insects & incidentals. wasp & spider
by roz

Comment:
Has a very surreal, sci-fi feeling to it. Nice work.

Rough night for The Real Tooth Fairy
by timfythetoo

Comment:
Tim, You scare me.

:)

Sunset at Joshua Tree NP
by mirdonamy

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

Compositionally, this is a very well balanced photograph. The tree, which seems to be the main focal point, is on a strong part of the picture (left third), and the smaller tree is a good counterbalance to it.

Technically, the color didn't bother me as much as the lack of contrast. I was kinda surprised to see this was HDR, because my personal complaint about it is that it mucks with the colors but does a fairly nice contrast level. :/ I *think* what is happening in this picture is that the sky colors say "sunset" or "sunrise" yet the lighting is very flat throughout the shot and does not coincide with that. More contrast would really help this to stand out and show some of the details well. The focus is a bit off, but not too terribly noticeable at first glance (at least to me). A tripod can be your friend, or even bracing it on top of a rock, or fence or something if something like that is around can sometimes be better than handholding, which shifts the camera ever so slightly, even if unnoticed to the eye. I just looked at your shutter speed, so was plenty fast enough for focus with a single shot.

Overall, it is a fairly good photograph, but comes across a bit flat.

The Wind Rose
by posthumous

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

I seem to "draw" your pictures a lot. I can't decide if it is fate, karmic retribution, or a conspiratorial re-education plan.

Compositionally, it is well balanced and the red umbrella does well to attract, and keep, the viewers attention.

Technically, it is well focused, lit, exposed and processed. It has a good level of contrast and the details are visible throughout.

What I like the best, though, and what I suspect may have put some people off is that the person is completely hidden from the viewer. I like that. It speaks of "everyman" and could be any one of us in that same situation. It also reminded me of my freshman year at Appalachian State where I actually attempted to carry an umbrella, only to have it blown inside out repeatedly (Upperclassmen just buy a big poncho to cover their backpack and what not).

I think it is a very well done shot, on several levels, and would have like to see it score higher. Great work, once again.

Karma

The longest season
by Louison

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

Compositionally, this is a wonderfully done picture. It has a good balance from top to bottom, as well as from left to right. You don't have a lot of foreground, and that helps to emphasize the strong verticals of the masts (right word?) and the nice sunset.

Technically, I also think it is well done. The colors are warm and rich, and the focus is very good. What might have hurt a bit is monitors that are a bit dark. On mine, I can the snow, etc. but it could easily be seen as a silhouette which takes away the harshness of it.

Also, while it is a well done picture, and I think it does fit the challenge, (I scored it a 7, initially) I can't help but wonder if it didn't look "harsh" enough for some people. It is a beautiful sunset/rise and doesn't scream "harsh," I think.

Barbecue in the snow
by arnarpall

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

Interesting idea. I remember coming across it when voting and thinking "swimming trunks?"

Compositionally, it feels a little tight at the top. There is a comfortable amount of space under your feet, but just a sliver at the top. This, to me, makes it feel a bit unbalanced and top heavy.

Technically, the exposure is good, the focus is good, and the two different colors of flash was a good idea. However, the "sunshine" flash looks like a flash, and the "cold" flash causes some shadows that take away from the authentic look.

Again, it is a great take on the challenge, I think it just has a couple of minor nitpicks in the execution that hurt you.

Southwestern
by gunsmith6

Comment:
I would say a sharper focus would be good, but if this were my picture it would look just like this. The out of focus would be caused by me running as fast as i could in the opposite direction. On second though, perhaps I would be backing up slowly. Nevertheless, I would be getting away from there -- I don't like snakes.

Interesting contrast between the skin and the ground though.

My Belt
by dd1989

Comment:
Good textures. Exposure looks a bit off, though.