Here Lies Our Forest
by Artyste

Comment:
Ok.. so I've learned something. Actually, I already knew it. Being artistic and different with a challenge kills you.. but gets you some great comments too (and some really dumb ones.. PhotoRyno.. please, get a damn imagination :))

The soft-focus was intentional. I wanted a Ghostly, deadish appearance, and this gives it that. If I was to do it again, I'd go for the exact same look. Sorry that not everyone (ok, hardly anyone), likes it. I've always been that kind of artist though.

Also, read the description to find out why these trees were cut down. Thanks!

"Wheee!! I LOVE Wine Festivals!"
by jemison

Comment:
Hahahahhahaha.. man.. I'm laughing my ass off tonight.

Rockin' Duck
by jpochard

Comment:
ahahaha

Quack all Night (and party every Grape)
by Telehubbie

Comment:
Oy.. punned to death. lol

the ugly grape
by SerG

Comment:
Love the concept, but I think you're in for a DQ for not sticking strictly with the challenge description. lol

Ducky Dreams
by sfboatright

Comment:
interesting.. This will definitely go one of two ways with the voters.. enjoy your roller-coaster ride. I'm scoring you high :)

(of course, you'll probably get DQ'd for literal representation of artwork though)

Discovering the "Wooly Ducketh"
by 2Shay

Comment:
HAHAHAHAHHA.. now *this* is creative.. bahaha

In The Beginning Of The END!
by doctabrez

Comment:
Have to watch the date stamp, it really brings a photo down.

...He spoke...and there was light.
by beaflies

Comment:
Focus seems too soft here, and you seem to have quite a dirty sensor (might want to clean that.. probably a result of being on the beach too much). Also, the horizon seems tilted which throws me off. While it's a nice, colorful beach shot, it's a little too cliche and the technical flaws bring it down too much in my book. 5.

California Coast
by nrulkov

Comment:
Hello, and greetings from the Critique Club.

Initial Thoughts

#1: Oh great.. I get to critique a blue ribbon winner.. eeek
#2: A good photo and a fun moment, but a little too distant and hard to make out at first glance.

Composition/Content

I'm about as far from an expert on landscape composition as they come, but I do notice a few things about this photo that stand it out. The line of the waves does a great job of leading you into the photo, and up to the para-glider. In fact, all the lines in this photo help to bring your focus onto the para-glider and offer a nice sweeping dynamic. My first reaction is that the paraglider itself seems to be an after-thought and almost a distraction, but He/She certainly adds an extra element when you sit and view it for awhile. The likeness of the sail with the clouds and waves is a nice touch.

Background

The horizon and sweeping clouds make for a good dynamic, and the infinite DOF really works.

Camera Work/Technical

Exposure is really nice for a sunny day, and I expect you under-exposed in order to do post work. Focus seems a *little* soft to me in many areas, but I suspect the dodging might be the culprit there. I'm personally not too keen on the vignetting I can notice around the border of the image, which in my eyes really causes your dodge work to stand out a touch more than it maybe should have.

Digital Processing

For me, the dodging was just a little bit too strong. It's caused more of a soft-focus on areas where I would have liked to see it a bit sharper. The cliffs especially seem to fade into each other because of this. I like the effect it had on the waves and the sail though. Your clone work was nice, I can't tell at all where any of the cloned-out objects were. One problem I noticed with dodging too, is that when it does soften an image, it's practically impossible.. (with my knowledge of post-processing), to get that sharpness back. While I have touched on the fact that softness is something that bugs me a bit here, I have to say that you did a good job in not having it *too* soft, and then in not over-sharpening it after the fact.

Fits the Challenge

I'd say it's a pretty strong candidate for Stock Photography. It's got a good mass appeal.. (scenery and sporting), and could belong in any of a thousand publications. Apparently, others agree with me. heh.

My Opinion on the Photograph

I'm not overly impressed with the post-produced "look" of this photo, but for the challenge and in general, it's a great photo that people are going to like. Good job, congratulations on your blue ribbon, and happy shooting.

Message edited by author 2005-03-31 12:19:09.