As Simple As ...
by GeneralE

Comment by piwoguy:
I really like the textures in this, but the uneven lighting across the three letters is just sliiiightly distracting.

The Torch Of Freedom
by GeneralE

Comment by TooCool:
From the Critique Club

Things I like: I love what you are trying to say with this shot but have to admit that I didn't get it till after the challenge when I read your comments. I really like the anti-silhouette (for lack of a better term) look of the subject. Good use of negative spacing. I actually kind of like the noise in this shot. Nice balanced compostion within the frame.

Things I don't like: The shot is out of focus. My camera is only a step up from yours and I understand how difficult it can be to focus in the dark. I have the best luck when working with something this dark by focusing with other lights on (just enough light to get the autofocus to lock on) and using the timer to give me time to get the lights back off again. Also the subject is very dark. It needs some kind of fill lighting. I know that you say you tried the onboard flash and believe you when you say it don't look right, but this shot needs more lighting. I might have tried more fire (candles or another torch made the same as the first to duplicate the light temp.) or some kind of reflector. I am having my own lighting issues and can understand how frustrating it can be trying to get it right.

Finally, the thing I like best about it is that you tried something totally different from all the other shots I've seen. You showed great originality here. Unfortunately, here if it's new and it ain't dang near perfect, it's not gonna get much of a reception.
TC

As Simple As ...
by GeneralE

Comment by nborton:
i like the rusted looking background. one improvement would be to get rid of the glare on the first two letters.

As Simple As ...
by GeneralE

Comment by brianlh:
i like the choice of the rusted background, as opposed to the standard white or black - not exactly sure why, because it wouldn't necessarily work with all subjects. maybe it's the contrast of of the bubbly/colorful nature of the letters and the hard/aged look of the background. nice job.

As Simple As ...
by GeneralE

Comment by Rooster:
the glare off the a & b the is slightly distracting but otherwise a nice idea & shot!

Sphere and Fractals
by GeneralE

Comment by dsidwell:
Interesting combination! The contrast works well for me.

As Simple As ...
by GeneralE

Comment by drgsoell:
Good concept. I think I would have used a more offset light for less glare and longer shadows. Good picture.

As Simple As ...
by GeneralE

Comment by vbourrut:
Good idea

Sphere and Fractals
by GeneralE

Comment by ChrisW123:
Nice I really like it. Use something to "smooth" the sky out a little. The blue ball is great against the grey sky/leaves.

Sphere and Fractals
by GeneralE

Comment by timmi:
Very dramatic photo. But IMO you went a bit too far in the post processing with this. Sometimes less is more. The blue ball stands out nicely against the dramatic surroundings, but it is almost distorted by pixelation. The colour looks strange (the greenish part). I've seen fractals before, but in your image I cannot really make the connection - it looks more like chaos (fractals are highly organized). Overall, not bad image, it caught enough of my attention.