Grace
by FranziskaLang

Comment by justine:
Very pretty colors nice composition and light.

Grace
by FranziskaLang

Comment by indigo997:
Beautiful colors! Excellent lighting. I like the composition tho I think I'd rather see a perspective from a bit lower or a bit higher instead of right from the side. Perfect exposure. 10

untitled
by FranziskaLang

Comment by jmsetzler:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Franziska,

I like your idea quite a bit with this photo. The 'meaning' I see here is very intriguing. There are lots of 'strangers' in North America from all parts of the world. Mabye they are here 'infiltrating' our society for the purpose of good AND evil :) I think the elevation of the left side of this image could also be playing into your idea behind this shot maybe ? ;)

As I look at this image, I can see LOTS of opportunities for some creative lighting work. Those game pieces could cast some really strong shadows, which, IMO, could create some added impact to this photo. Maybe a slightly elevated light source from about 10:00 and 2:00 would create some joining shadows in the center? These are just some ideas that I had that may create some nice effects with this image...

The exposure looks just a tad on the hot side. Looking at your settings, I see that you chose to use a very small aperture to achieve this photo. Even though you chose a great depth of field, your foreground text on the map is still slightly soft. I think you may have needed to back up about 6 inches (I don't know if this is cropped out of a larger image or not) to stretch that DOF out just a little. I also think that about 1 or 2 stops less exposure (1/20" or 1/40" or close) would cool down the exposure enough to make the map not quite as harsh.

Keep up the good work! I always enjoy your submissions...

John Setzler

untitled
by FranziskaLang

Comment by ChrisW123:
Hahaha is the yellow piece on the left side a "sleeper" living in America? :) Deport him/it now!! Very creative picture!! Wish I could vote on this one.

untitled
by FranziskaLang

Comment by jmsetzler:
very unique interpretation... i like the theme here... The tilt of the horizon also works nicely in this shot... - setzler

watching
by FranziskaLang

Comment by ambaker:
Critique Club Review by Request.

I think this photo would have been stronger with more light on the subject and a different background. The bright white of the lines on the wall make the subject look like she is in the shadows. The highlite along the raised right forearm adds to the effect.

I might have cropped a tiny bit more loosely to not cut off the sweater on the right arm near the elbow.

Good detail, contrast, and depth of field. The pose works well. You can catch a glimpse of the subject's personality here. It's also nice the way you managed to include the glasses, without glare from the lighting reflecting from them. So often you either see bright reflections from the glasses, or a squinty subject who can't see without them. Overall a nice photo.

untitled
by FranziskaLang

Comment by PTLParsons:
Two lines of thought could go with this one. 1. How many even noticed the yellow on the green side? 2. About as good of a war plan as any have. As for the photo - great job. I especially like the curve to the map. I love the deep, deep blue background with the lighter in the center, or that's how it is on my moniter. This is a good one in my opinion. I'd give it a 7. PTL

untitled
by FranziskaLang

Comment by mcmurma:
challenge well met...like the tilt on the "world". sharp, clear and good color compliments. great job!

watching
by FranziskaLang

Comment by JEM:
You are such an accomplished photographer, Franziska, that any advice on your Mom's picture will be superfluous. Like you, I submitted a photo which was not originally intended to be a portrait, although it did rather well.
My wife, at one time the general manager of the Elizabeth Arden salon in San Francisco, sends her compliments on your mother's hairdo. Very stylish, and looks great.
John

untitled
by FranziskaLang

Comment by Swashbuckler:
Neat idea, sort of like the game Risk. Well taken photo, but as I have told just about everyone else, I was hoping for something more out of this world for this challenge, really really strange. Still this is one of the better taken shots, so 8 it is! Swash