"COLBALT"
by Denise Catania

Comment:
I really like the shade of blue in this, and it makes for an interesting abstract. It just doesn't appeal to me, though, as a photograph, as I don't see anything other than the blue, and the shapes, to be the object of focus.

Sparkling Traces
by eloise

Comment:
I think this would have made a much more interesting macro. However, I understand that sometimes the risk involved would just be too great. Maybe if the pieces of glass were a little more distinguishable. Right now, the crack in the pavement is what grabs and holds my attention.

Clever Sliver
by knightd

Comment:
I like the dramatic angle of this, and the shallow depth of field could be more effective, I think, if the glass part was more in focus. The colors are a little drab, too, to me. Maybe convert to a pure bw or sepia and use a lot of contrast?

The Weight of a Snowflake
by Jeileen

Comment:
I think a different background color would add some interest to this, as well as a different camera angle. As a picture, it doesn't seem to have any "depth" to it, and it seems kinda static with the centered composition.
On a side note, why a purple border? It does pull attention to the shot, but I don't think it adds to it. Maybe a black or gray border would have worked better.

glass
by Becky

Comment:
There seems to be a lot of noise in this. Was this a slow shutter speed? I like the designs in the glass. You may have done well to get closer to it, and not have it quite so centered.

The Glowing Light
by PHOTOCHlX

Comment:
This is a nice idea, and I like the composition of it. I think though, sharper focus would help tremendously. I would suggest slowing down the shutter speed, but that may blow the candlelight out (no pun intended). Perhaps you could have the room well lit, and shoot it with a fast shutter or something. Not sure.

Close up of a window
by morterin

Comment:
I like the colors and the balance between the dark and light and how they transpose themselves. I think, though, to have more interest and photographic merit (totally my opinion, you understand) it needs to have something to a source of focus, or maybe have a little more context to it.

I Can't Drive 55!
by sabal5

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

The quality of this shot is very good. The details are visible, and it is well lit/exposed. The black and white is okay, but I can't help but wonder what the color version would look like.

I think a couple of things could be done to really make this an awesome shot. First of all, a lower camera angle would have "emphasized" the child more. Right now, it has a "snapshot" feeling to it instead of a "portrait" feeling because the viewer is looking down on her. However, this will really bring up some stuff in the background that you may not want to see, so a tighter crop, even allowing some of the car to "exit' the frame might have to be done.

If you want to leave it like it is, though, I would strongly recommend cropping the top so that the car and house is not showing. Also, by cropping it as closely to the "car" as you have, it feels very tight and cramped. Maybe "loosening" it a little on either side, or cropping it so that some of it is not shown, might work.

I think you have chosen an excellent subject. I, for one, appreciated the humor you portrayed, and the take on the challenge. This is a shot that you, or the parents of the child if it is not you, will enjoy for years. Best to you in future challenges.

Take Off!
by adine

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

Very cool shot!! I like the "motion" of it. This picture has a lot of energy to it. This is one time that the lens flare really added to the picture, I believe, both by adding interest and an almost "mystical" feel to it. I really like the background you have used. By not being solid black, it almost looks to me as if the bike is flying through space or something.

The light on the cogs is a bit bright, and this makes it look ever so slightly out of focus. Also, I think it wouldn't feel quite so like it was flying out of the frame if it was a little lower and to the left more. Of course, if you want that "flying out of the frame" feeling, then pat yourself on the back, because you obviously succeeded!!

A great shot, and best to you in future challenges.

Oh Lord, won't you buy me, a...........
by robcon

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

I like the dramatic angle you have chosen to present this with. It really adds interest to the shot, and makes it different. I also like that it is place in the lower left and in a sense, leads the viewer's eyes up and into the frame. I think the positioning of it gives a stable feeling to the picture, and a solid place to "rest the eyes."

To make it stronger, I think it may have been beneficial to either present it in color, or use more contrast in the bw. Right now, it is a muddled look to me, no distinct black or white, or even dark/light gray -- all of the grays are sort of in the middle of the spectrum. I think a crisply focused shot in color would have also had a nice effect.

Finally, the shot looks a little grainy to me. I understand this may be intentional sometimes, but I'm not sure it is truly effective here. Maybe a lower ISO would have eliminated some of that.

If you have questions or comments, please let me know. Best to you in future challenges!