Steps in the right direction
by Jean

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

COMPOSITION
Great choice of subject matter. I really like the flow of the diagonal lines, and how they set up contrasts by going in different directions. The brightness of the top steps really grabs the viewer's eyes, so it may have been more effective to have less of them and more of the bottom steps, then the eyes would travel through the picture more easily.



TECHNIQUE
The focus is good, and the lighting overall establishes some nice tonal contrast. I think the upper part is a bit bright, but it would be difficult to tone that down without losing some in the lower sections. You have captured the textures of the steps very well.


OVERALL EFFECT
I love the optical illusion of this one. It is confounding enough to make you look at it for a few seconds more, then it just pops out at you. It looks so 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional, at the same time. Overall, very nicely done.

Window Revisited
by Martin

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

COMPOSITION
Framing the shot with the "frame" really adds to the composition of this shot I think. It draws the viewer's attention and focuses it on the subject of the picture. It feels a little off to me, maybe if the camera perspective was a little more to the left. Inside the frame, the rolling hill makes for some nice motion.



TECHNIQUE
The focus seems a little grainy, but I think that may add to the shot (more on this later). The grays, which would normally make for a drab shot, really add to the effect of this shot, as well, I think. I'm thinking I see some noise in the sky area, I don't know what your shutter speed, etc was, so I can't suggest anything in that area, but if you haven't ever tried NEATIMAGE or other noise reduction filters, they can really clean it up.


OVERALL EFFECT
A bit more fog, and your subject would be hidden completely! When I saw this shot, I immediately thought of the book "Wuthering Heights." It just has that dismal, gloomy, somber, mysterious aire about it. Nice work.

Support
by OneSweetSin

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

COMPOSITION
The strong vertical motion really pulls the viewer into this one. The foremost pillars frame the shot nicely, and it works being symmetrical. (Sometimes shots that seem to be intended to be symmetrical, are just a touch off adn it is difficult to tell if it was intentional or not.)


TECHNIQUE
You have done well to have the front pillars focused, and having focus throughout the picture, though the grass does seem a little fuzzy. Maybe you could have used a slightly larger aperture number, slowed down the shutter a touch, and gotten more focus and detail shown. Also, itis a little "drab" in that the pillars are all the same color (I know, that's out of your control) and the grass as well. I would suggest boosting the contrast and converting it to black and white. If you really wanted color, maybe saturating the grass (not a lot you can do with Carolina grass in February!)


OVERALL EFFECT
Great subject for the challenge. I think the picture would have had a little more oomph if the colors were a little more bold, or if there were some more contrast. Too bad there wasn't a bright red sign at the end or something to really be a focus spot.

Circles
by Jacko

Comment:
Great shot. I like the colors and teh patterns created. Did you try it with sections of it cropped? Wouldn't necessarily make it better, just different, I think.

Rhythm 'n Blues
by mariomel

Comment:
The lines really help to draw the eyes up into the picture, and I like how there is a strip that gives some contrast without them.

Mariachi Rythm
by JEM

Comment:
Great capture. At first I thought it might have been a neat effect to show just their legs, but I think the repetition of the ties, shirts and hats all add to the effect.

Spiraling
by mcmurma

Comment:
I love the contrast of the straight background and the graceful curves of the glass. Awesome.

Concentric
by smellyfish1002

Comment:
Great focus and lighting. Excellent work.

Snow on Roof Tiles
by DennisF

Comment:
I really like the depth of field on this, and the counter movement of the roof. Nice work.

DixieLand
by RLS

Comment:
I love this shot. I like how the cups start in one corner and draw the eyes up to the other. Also, the white edges really set up a nice pattern there. Good work.