Golden Gate
by GeneralE

Comment by GeneralE:
Thanks everyone for your comments. I figured that this was one people would either really like or not, but I was pleasantly surprised that so many of you liked it quite so well!

jimmyn4 -- Thanks for your comments and suggestions. The fringing around the upper leaves is totally an artifact of the tritone curves used, and represented the best compromise I could find. There's no sharpening applied at all. Maybe I'll try cropping off the tower walls -- I think the roofline will then mirror the triangular trees, and it will give it a overall more panoramic aspect.

It was somewhat a last-minute desperation shot -- there was rain and gray skies here all week, and I had little contrast to work with as shot, leading to my decision to artificially colorize it. Here is a link to the Original Frame (it really was shot upside down!)

Golden Gate
by GeneralE

Comment by jimmyn4:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
First off, what a splendid photo. I like the colors. It almost makes this place look like a different world. I think what you did here was very cool. I can understand why this photo didn't place well. I think mostly because it is different. I like the branches hanging down in the shot but whether you did it intentionally or not the outlines around them are very distracting and makes it look a little over edited.
I have never taken a photo with this technique so I can't tell you ways in improving this photo in those terms.
The composition is nice. I don't like the building in the bottom center. I don't mind the buildings and bridge furthur away but I don't like that building there. I think I would have wanted more of a seperation between the city and nature.
I found this photo difficult to critique so forgive me if its not the bext one ever. Good work and good luck in future challenges.

Say...Cheese!
by GeneralE

Comment by lisae:
I guess this is a cute idea, but it's kinda gross :P. The lighting is a tad strong and uneven, casting dark shadows on the side of the child's face. I like the cropping though.

Say...Cheese!
by GeneralE

Comment by kandyj:
Great idea to meet the challenge. I might have chosen a different shirt on the child to help prevent the red reflections on the left face and neck, and maybe differ the lighting a bit so the left side doesn't look overly smooth. Very cute, nonetheless

No Cars Allowed
by GeneralE

Comment by joshua:
pretty cool. nice background and nice detail

Aqueous Humor, Vitreous Humor (Medical Humor)
by GeneralE

Comment by magnetic9999:
Critique Club Review

Note: Do not take any comments in this review personally. They are only for the purpose of assisting with photography.

I myself thought briefly of doing this idea. I also thought of doing something on the medieval idea of the 'Four Humours'. But I didn't, because I foresaw I would get the reaction that you in fact did. However, I thought it was a funny play, with much of the humor deriving from the plays on terminology.

You have done a fine job simulating parts of the ocular apparatus with your cup. My only real suggestions would have been to a) use a smaller aperature for more DOF and b) if possible, manually focus on the top of the water to ensure foreground focus.

I am curious as to how you rendered the color. Was that a white balance effect? I am also curious about the hidden message.

Say...Cheese!
by GeneralE

Comment by FranziskaLang:
hehehe, if he says cheese all the cheese is going to fall out of his mouth! ;) good idea for the challenge. great focus on the photo, and i like the way it is framed (that includes the frame, too). i really have nothing to add that i would've done differently. :)

Say...Cheese!
by GeneralE

Comment by Anachronite:
funny idea.. making the cheese more symetrical in the shot might help... and something about the lighting bothers me.. but I can't deside what exactlly that is... color or intensity I think...

Say...Cheese!
by GeneralE

Comment by Jacko:
Thanks for the chuckles. The picture looks messy, but the concept is still funny. Jacko. 7

No Cars Allowed
by GeneralE

Comment by Marklane:
Nice and sharp good colours.