..of empty and broken glasses..
by Ammie

Comment by mefnj:
kinda hard to see the glass with the lighting used

47 Dog Steps
by Ammie

Comment by Osiris1975:
This is an excellent photo, and here is why I think so.

First and foremost, it tells a story that we can all relate to: Looking into the unknown, for example, looking into the future. That is key, because every element of the photo works toward telling that story:

-It uses the dog as a foreground focal point for a landscape. The fact the dog is facing away from the camera and looking into the mist is critical to the telling of the story.

-It has three layers, exactly what you want in a photo: foreground (the dog and green shrubs), mid ground (the yellow grassy area, slightly misted) , background (the mysterious landscape in the dense fog). All of these elements work toward the story, the idea that the present is knowable, the near-future is relatively predictable, and the distant future is unknowable.

-The two elements that DON'T work toward telling the story are the ones I'd change. Here, I'd have stuck to the rule of thirds to place the dog off-center, which would enhance the effect of the dog looking into the landscape, and I'd remove the border, which gives a sense of order, which contradicts the idea that the future is unknowable.

I didn't vote in this challenge, but I'd have give nthis photo a 9. It'd get a 10 from me if without the border and if the dog were off-center.

Brangus
by Ammie

Comment by Osiris1975:
When someone looks at a photo, especially in a challenge/voting situation, one thing they look for a story behind the photo, so one of the main issues with this is that it doesn't have one. People look at this photo and say 'okay, it's a cow'. I think you want to get more adventurous, think about what story you can tell with the cow through photography.

There are also some other points to consider:
- The cow's head is centered in the photo. The center is usually the least interesting area for the viewer to look at.
- There appears to be a cow in the background behind the cow, one that is exactly the same color, so we lose some of the animals shape.
- Just as in with humans, the eyes are usually the most important feature. The angle at which this is taken does not show the cow's eyes very well.
- I think you sort of hit a 'dead-zone' in terms of the framing and distance of this photo. If you'd zoomed in and taken a slightly different angle and made the photo asymmetrical, you could've made the cow's eyes the subject. Alternatively, you could've made the cow a foreground focal point to a nice landscape, or used it in silhouette for a sunrise/sunset show.

Brangus
by Ammie

Comment by bmartuch:
That's actually pretty funny.

Take Both
by Ammie

Comment by giantmike:
Adorable photo, especially with the one cat looking on.

..of empty and broken glasses..
by Ammie

Comment by giantmike:
That's some very interesting lighting you have going here.

Take Both
by Ammie

Comment by Neat:
Cute adorable kitties, and child, shame his face is a bit darkened by the shade. Still cute shot.

Take Both
by Ammie

Comment by Osiris1975:
I really love the way the kittens are looking up at the boy, adorable. I almost feel like the adult cat isn't necessary for this photo, and wish the frame held just the boy and the kittens.

Take Both
by Ammie

Comment by kichu:
ohhh myyyyy this is heartbreaking adorable, what a shot!

I'm going to want to share this on facebook when the challenge is done!

Take Both
by Ammie

Comment by deeby:
cute. I would have voted higher if there was more fill lighting