Blacksheep
by whobee

Comment:
(1) COMPOSITION -CONTENT - The composition of this is very good and compelling to the viewer; it is probably the strongest aspect of the picture. First, the red contrasts with the blues, and that is almost always a pleasing color combination. Secondly, the red pencil lead draws attention, then the pencil helps to pull the eyes back and up, giving a sense of movement to the picture. A couple of ideas -- did you try having the blue pencils lying in a "pattern" so that it looked more consistent, rather than just random. This may have helped pull the eyes even more. Also, if the leads were "touching" (obviously they couldn't because of the glass), it may have given an even stronger "illusion" feeling. Finally, I think a tighter crop would help eliminate soem of the bright foreground. Maybe even let the pencils overflow out of the frame some.

(2) BACKGROUND - The "background" of this picture is actually "the underground!" Having the red pencil "floating" is a very nice effect. Also, the blue pencils being blurry actually causes the eyes to focus on the red pencil, so in this instance, it adds to the overall effect of the pencil.

(3) CAMERA WORK -TECHNICAL - I am glad to read this process, and I am going to try it in the future! I am assuming you were using a shutter priority mode since the aperture says auto. If this is the case, you may have had as much depth of field as possible. I think if more of the red pencil could have been in focus, it would have been more effective. Maybe backing away and using the zoom, instead of a macro type setting. Also, the front of the pencil is a overexposed, as is the front of the frame, detracting some from the overall effect. Using a softer light, (shining through a light cloth, but be careful, don't sit it on fire) or bouncing it off of a white wall (or cover a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil to use as a reflector) will sometiems help to take the edge off. Since you were using an 8 second exposure, less light may have worked okay.

(4) DIGITAL PROCESSING - TECHNICAL - The color is very good in this, and having had two sonys, you receive an extra thumbs up for keeping the red "normal," since Sony reds seem to be whacky sometimes. It is not oversharpened, and the white balance is good.

(5) YOUR OPINION ON THE PHOTO - Overall, I really like this picture. The first time I judged it, I only gave it a four. However, at second and closer glances, I probably should have given it a 6. The exposure and focus issues mentioned earlier prevent me from scoring it higher than that. Overall, it is a very neat effect, adn one I look forward to trying.

Karma

Petals
by kathleenm

Comment:
Nice use of contrasting colors. karmat

phantom color
by wheatabix

Comment:
Beautiful. Took me a minute or two to find the pencil though. Hope that doesn't hurt you. You would think the shadow would make it obvious. Great work. karmat

Negative Space Odyssey
by Froober

Comment:
Can't think of anything it needs to improve. I like the "simplicity" of hte shot, and how the pencils leave the frame. karmat

Green Mountain Boys Defend Ft. Ticonderoga From Mongol Horde
by GeneralE

Comment:
Ahhh, it made me laugh. Good job. Nice idea, and it it focused well.

Hard No. 2
by TomNTexas

Comment:
Suggestive, almost, except for the pencil. Hahah. :-) I like the use of the lighting here and how the shadows are on the left side of the face. Good work. karmat

pencil distortion
by shutterfly

Comment:
I like the contrast of the colors on this one. karmat

Pencil Guard
by underground

Comment:
I really like the framing on this one. It is a touch dark, and I think that causes you to lose some details, but it may be this monitor. karmat

Apartment 24F just got its first window
by BeeGee

Comment:
I really like the colors in this, and the blue sky on the right. I don't know if it would have been possible, but if the crane could have been shown at a slightly different angle, it may have given more "movement" to the picture. karmat

The Force Be With You
by karmat

Comment:
Thanks for all of the awesome comments. I am pleased with my "Top 10" finish. To address a couple of comments, it was a touch dark, but lightening in postprocessing made teh colors do funky things. I left the column on teh right to make the little boy look smaller, and i didn't include the school name for a couple of reasons. Primarily because it is Canton MIDDLE School, and this kid is obviously not in 6th grade. None of the elementary schools around had teh right look that i wanted. Again thanks!