StormySunset
by Mephy86

Comment:
Good subject matter for a silhouette, but I would like seeing the full length of the trees, from the ground up to the sky.

Retro in Red
by GeneralE

Comment:
Personally, I think your processing could have added quite a bit to this in order to accentuate the retro nature of the subject. A high contrast side lit shot in BW, some grain, or an aged sepia look, would all add to the retro nature of the shot.

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
by Citadel

Comment:
I enjoy the way the color of the stone contrasts with the rest of the scene. Having said that, I'm left wishing the falls comprised a larger portion of the scene. The golden light filtering through the trees is also a bit too bright and has blown. I think lowering your perspective would have helped to emphasize the falls as a subject matter.

Dirt Rider
by MichaelC

Comment:
This reminds me sorta of another portrait I commented on.... Pretty much everything I said there is true here (ironic if this ends up being the same photog lol). In addition, however, I'd like to see the bit of his head not chopped. I'd also consider bringing more of the motorcycle into the frame. It would strengthen things in regard to the "environmental portrait." I picture the shot being from low to the ground, looking up at the rider. Perhaps slightly backlit with fill light. I like everything about this except for the close crop.

Jackie & his Favorite Toy
by Canonguy39

Comment:
This portrait is lacking interest in the subject matter. The subject isn't actively engaged with the toy, but also isn't actively posed. A capture of Jackie playing with the toy would have been stronger, or, alternatively, an all out posed shot. You could have used a black sheet or piece of velvet (ideally) for the dog to sit on and as a background for a portrait, with the camera's point of view very low or perhaps have the dog sit up and have the shot from the dog's eye level. Or an action shot, playing with the toy. The cabinet is a little bit distracting. Really, the main thing is that I think you're probably getting hammered vote wise because this seems like a snapshot, largely because the dog's posture really makes this seem like a quick posed shot with somebody camera right commanding the dog's attention. Animals are perhaps more difficult than people to capture in portraits, because you can't tell your dog to relax and not look posed. Keep at it though; on the bright side, animals never tire of posing :)

Laundry Time
by Hipychik

Comment:
Interesting cardinal shot, but focus needs to be sharper. I think birds do better either tack sharp or blurred quite a bit by motion. This one is a bit in the no-man's land between them. Nice action by the bird though, can't say I've ever seen a bird do that.

The Sun Sets on 2009
by robinegg

Comment:
Another great Contre Jour photo! I bet this one could've taken top honors in that challenge. Great sky, and the poses are nice in conjunction with your title- the subjects seem rather retrospective. Great clouds, to boot.

Bye bye 2009...
by ladibug

Comment:
I like the setting you've chosen. The bricks add a nice texture, and the soft lighting is pleasing to the eye. I wish there was a bit more emphasis to the person, but I still like it.

Turner Falls
by superclary

Comment:
I feel like this would have been a perfect moment to use a ND grad filter to darken the sky and keep it from blowing out. The house/building seems incidental instead of intentional.

Quality Time
by ButterflyGirl

Comment:
A more careful placing of the light filtering through the bridge would have made this a bombshell photo. Waiting for the light to illuminate the child's face, for instance, would have been excellent. The blown patches on her dress serve as distractions instead of strengthening the scene using the ambient light. Having said that, the interaction and expressions are very good here.