Chocolate Dessert
by train

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!
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A yummy treat indeed - which means you've got this right in the main.

Your lighting, focus and subject are superb, with the exception of the arrangement of the cake which does look messy (not enough to put me off however!). You have a slight green tinge on top of the cake which is a little off-putting, despite probably being a reflection of something natural. The crop is too tight at the top and too wide lower down, but otherwise it is a good composition. Exposure is also very well spread.

Hope you enjoyed eating it!

Cheers
Jon

A Weta in harmonious surroundings
by train

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!
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A formidable looking insect (bush cricket?). This is well focused and an interesting creature.

As some have mentioned, the flash is quite harsh and, as such, this becomes more of a study of the subject than an attractive, vote-winning shot. The shadow obscuring the top of the critter is its main problem really, although the crop of the antenna is bit of a shame but perhaps unavoidable. It's well composed with plenty of texture too.

If indeed you were after votes with this, then you can learn from the score that many people either don't like bugs or are looking for the 'perfect' picture.

Cheers
Jon

Handmade
by airatic

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!
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Well, that's certainly a hands-on approach to the packaging.

I like this idea, but I find that there is too little context to suggest what is inside other than simply reading the label. Had this been a box with form and shot at an angle - maybe even half unwrapped - perhaps it would have been communicated better without relying on the wording and title.

The cropping is tight horizontally, making for an awkward format.

This is an image which, although fitting the challenge, may not endure well outside of the competition. You may find it useful to consider 'notonline's' comment and endeavour to produce even challenge photos that could grace yours (or other people's) walls.

Cheers
Jon

Ponce Inlet - Florida - Pelican
by TomH1000

Comment:
Very nice indeed. A little more post and less sky would have been good but this is a great study.

Stormy Florida Night
by TomH1000

Comment:
Lovely capture - very crisp which is a feat considering you can't plan this. I'd clone out the cable bottom left.

Doodie! Doodie!
by DefyTime

Comment:
Tops!

Balanced Grace
by Spanish_Grease

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!
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Beautiful form, lighting and focus makes this a very attractive image indeed. The composition is sound (perhaps a little too tight on the right) and the subject is indeed well balanced. Of course, nature so often is. The reason this did not score so well in the challenge is probably down to the fact that the shot does not sing of 'balance' per se. Most people would ask "I wonder what theme this represents?" if unaware of the challenge brief, and their answer may be 'Beauty', 'Grace', 'Form', etc.

If I was pushed for sugggestions to improve this I would have tried to achieve a longer DOF and increase the contrast between the background and the main flower itself. Also, given your explanation of its size, a suggestion of the scale might be good for your subject (but would not have helped your placing in this challenge) - and the border is definitely quite overpowering for such delicacy.

A Weight Watcher's Delight
by OneSweetSin

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!
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This is what would normally be termed a Pack Shot in the advertising world. As such, the aim is to present the product in an appetising way and to show the brand clearly, etc. I certainly think you chose some lovely fat, juicy strawberries!

Your composition is actually very strong with good depth-of-field from front to back. On the down side however, your lighting is flat which has resulted in noise and a lack of definition in the subject. Strong directional lighting would help prevent this and allow you to pick up more form on the bottle without overexposure. You could experiment with the use of a diffuser (to soften the pinpoint of light source) which reduces highlights and hotspots. If using typical tungsten light then you should adjust the white balance of your camera to compensate for the usual yellow cast this generates.

The image is slightly skewed anti-clockwise, but otherwise this could make people's mouth water.

Message edited by author 2004-07-28 04:07:39.

A seat under the stars
by andywightman

Comment:
Nice shot Andy - good, low noise levels. I tried a shot of Orion for the Black challenge.

- Miracle! -
by Imagineer

Comment:
Thanks David - great news, but what was before it exactly - in a nutshell?! :)