They Got Everything at the Corner Store
by OneSweetSin

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

COMPOSITION
I believe the shot could be made stronger, as a whole, if you moved in and let the signs fill the frame a little more, maybe even "spilling" out. Also, maybe move the framing so that the signs are either on the left, and the poles are cropped out, OR the signs are on the right and the building is cropped out. This would move the signs out of the center of the frame, and keep it from seeming so "static." It would also keep the different elements from vying for the viewer's attention.

TECHNIQUE
The focus seems a little soft to me. I am assuming from the N/A on shutter speed etc, that you have little or no control of that. In that case, there might be a couple of things you can do to "hide" the slight blurriness. One would be to convert to black and white, then adjust the contrast so that the blacks are black, and the whites really pop out. I think doing that would help the eye to keep from trying to focus on the different colors as much as well. Another thing I would suggest would be to use a make shift tripod, if you do not have/do not want to carry one. Fill (about 2/3) a ziploc bag with sand, flour or sugar (the latter two do look suspicious from a distance), and use it as a "bean bag" to steady the camera. You can then use the top of your car, a tree limb, picnic table etc. and not have to worry about camera shake.

OVERALL EFFECT
I like the humor in this shot, and how the sign in the background looks like a church which is an interesting contrast with the other signs. Good luck in the future challenges.

Perspective
by PaulMdx

Comment:
I really like how you have fillled the frame here.

Meet Spot, my pet square.
by Sonifo

Comment:
Hi Spot! I like how the negative space draws the attention to the subject, and the effect that is kinda a circle in a circle.

Square competition gone to my head.
by SharQ

Comment:
That's dedication to the cause, brother. Hope you waited a while and you could have gotten a good before/after shot! I like the symmetry of the shot, and how his arms bring the focus of hte eyes down to the feet.

Too square for a houseboat
by johnmk

Comment:
I think the boats adn the thing they are pushing/pulling need to be a little more to the right, it looks like they are getting ready to run out of the frame. The blue structure at the top really grabs attention, but it also becomes a focal point for the eyes, distracting from the lower part of the frame. Don't know if that was intentional or not.

No Squares
by Seeker

Comment:
Cool set up. I am assuming this is neon paper with a black light?? If so, you have some noise in the colored parts. I have found that a longer exposure sometimes helps with blacklights, but it is definitely difficult. Did you try neatimage, or some other noise elimination filter? That may help as well.

Squareway
by r_sandler

Comment:
I like the perspective of this shot, though I'm not sure if I like the openness on the left. I guess if I don't have a definite opinion, it must be okay! :-) The light adds some drama to the shot, but it is almost blown-out, I think. Maybe a faster shutter speed? Overall, good work.

Trying to butter me up?
by catpixel

Comment:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

COMPOSITION
I think the composition works well in this shot. It is cropped so that her face fills the frame and the stick of butter helps to lead from the bottom of the frame up to her face. I think if anything were to be changed, it may be to allow more of her hand to show, instead of chopping it off.

TECHNIQUE
I will not mention the color except to say maybe the white balance was off? However, it seems that the butter is accurately colored. And the rest of the picture is a little off, leading me to believe it may be intentional.
I really like the color of the background, as it is a pleasant switch from the typical white or black. Also the shadow up the right side of her is a little harsh, making me think you used a flash. Since she is the only subject, and the background is empty, could you have used a smaller aperture number, and not have used the flash? OR sit a light behind her to block some of that. I really like the animated look you have captured; she looks completely natural, as if she is enjoying her typical afternoon snack!

OVERALL EFFECT
Umm, as for a picture, it looks a little contrived, BUT "got milk" shots aren't typically what you would shot for a portfolio anyway, so that factor doesn't bother me. Just mentioned because sometimes it may be better to get a little more natural. (I promise, this is just a thought and not a complaint, etc). Again, the look on her face spreads joy, I think, and I find it interesting that you have her eating butter. At least I hope you staged that and she doesn't do that regularly. A stick of butter at a time couldn't be healthy.

My preciousss
by Refracted

Comment:
I like the composition, but I almost missed the square, there. Maybe a slightly tighter composition?

Three Square
by DougPaz

Comment:
I like the use of negative space and shadows here. It looks like they are marching forward to me. I can almost see a little sphere/circle being "attacked" by the cubes here. :-)