(In)visible Melt
by Paul

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club...

As an image on it's own, I find this photograph very interesting. I like the abstract feel. As an image in a "before & after challenge" I understand why it did not do as well as you would have liked. It appears you have already figured this out on your own, but perhaps you would like to hear it from someone else. While you know there was a puddle of water underneath the ice cube, as a viewer, I wasn't sure if there was or not. The puddle appears to be the same shape as the ice cube, and is therefore easily confused for something it is not. That doesn't mean it isn't a good photograph, it just means that the viewers weren't able to figure out the before and after, and voted accordingly.

If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

Before and after bite
by OddBall7

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club...

The first thing I noticed with this photograph is that there are 3 main subjects. 2 non eaten pretzels, and 1 mostly eaten pretzel. Since this is a "before & after" challenge, most voters are probably looking for a direct comparison. There are 2 differnt approaches that I believe would have made this photograph stronger.

a) Remove one of the non eaten pretzels so that there is a clear comparison between the two remaining pretzels. Cropping in a square format might enhance the comparison even further.

b) If you want to have a sequence, as it appears you have attempted here, show some change between the first two pretzels.
Ex: Pretzel #1 untouched, Pretzel #2 half eaten, Pretzel #3 a few crumbs.

If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

Smiles: Vintage & Virgin
by WeJay

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club...

I want to start by saying that this is an excellent photograph. The crop is great, the focus is excellent, and the contrast in colour of clothing between the man and the boy work very well. Creating this image as a black & white photograph was a good choice as it lets the viewer focus on their teeth, which you have chosen as your main subject.

Your photograph fits the theme very well. Although you are comparing their teeth, there are many other comparisons to be made regarding their age and wisdom. The only constructive comment I can make would be regarding your title. In the western world, we read from left to right, and therefore "Smiles: Virgin & Vintage" would make more sense, as the title would match up with the photograph. If you do not come from a western background, then I stand corrected.

If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

caffe' nero
by dswann

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club...

Congratulations on the great finish! I did not vote in this challenge, but if I had, you would probably have gotten a 7 from me. This is a very strong photograph overall, because it is technically sound, and it fits the theme very well. This is the type of photograph that if you showed someone who didn't know what the theme was, they would be able to guess very easily.

I like the focus you have chosen because it separates the middle ground from the back ground and the foreground. The only constructive criticism I can give is that the crop feels moderately awkward at the top left. Croping through where the coffee line meets the mug does not seem completely deliberate. Cropping a little more, or a little less would just make it that much better in my opinion. Well done!

If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

Avian Storm
by Lonni

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club...

I was not able to vote on this challenge, but if I had, I probably would have given you a 5 or 6. It is fairly obvious that you could not have gotten this photograph without a flash, as the light in the sky is coming from behind your subject. In that respect, you have entered a photograph that fits the theme very well. I do like the unusual crop, with the sky taking up the majority of the photo, because again, it emphasizes that there are 2 light sources at play.

Two areas for improvement: I find the crop a little awkward on the left hand side as it barely clipping the birds wing, and does not give the impression of being intentional. The birds face also looks like it could be a little sharper. It can be hard to get with all that squaking and flapping :)

If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

Night Watch
by orvaratli

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club...

First of all, let me say, "wow", this photo is georgeous. I was not able to vote for this challenge, but I probably would have given you a 7. The sky is georgeous, the composition is great; you've framed the trees well. I love the soft pine needles and how they silhouette against the colourfull background.

You finished with a very good score, but I think it finished a little lower than I'd like because it is subtle. It appears you have fill flashed the grass, and this is probably the 4th thing I notice in the photograph (sky, moon and trees are more dominant). I would love to see a version where the flash created a rim light on the trees (from the side). It's hard to say without comparing the two versions side by side which one would be better.

If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

drop from sky
by mbrutus2009

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club...

I have always wanted to shoot a waterdrop shot, but haven't got around to it yet. I do know however that they are very difficult to get. You have done a great job with the focus; it is very sharp. Even some of the droplets that are hanging in mid air are completely sharp. The blue colour is also nice, it reminds me of an ocean.

Areas for improvement: First and foremost, your score does not reflect the quality of your photo. The reason for this is that most people were probably expecting two seperate events or objects for the subject "before & after". A good rule is to ask yourself, "if I showed this photograph to somebody who didn't know what the topic was, would they be able to guess what it is?". If not, then your photograph might not match the topic as well as it could.

I see improvement in your photography. Keep up the good work.

If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

Oh, Sugar Cookies
by Dirt_Diver

Comment:
Delicious! Well done.

Rosette Nebula, a giant stellar nursery
by Pascal

Comment:
Congrats on your first ribbon!

Drowning
by KarenNfld

Comment:
This is probably my favorite of the challenge.