Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by smellyfish1002:
My favorite in the challenge! You have captured true surprise, rather than set up, staged surprise! The motion of the birds adds lots of interest, and the kids are really cute! In fact, they look kind of like me!
I give it a 10!
JD

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by magnus:
Background is too distracting, but the kids are just great! 5

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by A Weaver:
Wonderfull Photo. I really like the birds stopped in motion. And the surprise on Josh's face. Very good lighting, nice B&W.

Stop and Smell the Roses
by Samara

Comment by TooCool:
From the Critique Club

This is a great take on the challenge! I even like the little sign that you made. The roses are beautiful, and there the nice big ones, not the little ones you can get around me for 9 bucks a dozen.

The cropping in this shot is VERY tight at top and bottom. I could forgive the bottom, but at the top you cut a rose in half and that makes for a big distraction. If the shot itself was tight and you couldn't crop out farther, I would have tried cropping tighter at the sides for balance and made a small frame around the image. Don't know if it would help, but I would have tried it!

The colors here are a bit dull especially around the outside of the bouquet. The center of the arrangement is blown out. Also, the overall effect of the shot is very 'flat'. It has no depth or texture to it. This makes be believe that the flash fired giving to much light reflected but not good light for definition and color. I also have a point and shoot type camera like yours. When I do my still life pictures I find I get better results by turning the flash off and using a longer exposure and a tripod. Use as many lights as it takes to get a nice effect and don't be afraid to move the lights around and take many sample pictures. This will help to bring out the gorgeous textures that are naturally prevalent in roses. It will also help bring out the colors.

All in all this is a very fun compostion that with a little experimenting and practice could be a GREAT photograph! Keep shooting!
TC

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by timmi:
Great spontanious shot. I love the boys' expressions in their faces. The movement of the birds livens it all up. I think it's great that this is in b&w as it takes the viewer to the boys and not to the background that would be too much if it were in colour. Well done.

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by jmritz:
Lovely expression on the taller boy. Nice snapshot with surprise incorporated.

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by Neuferland:
He looks more amused than surprised by the flying birds. A nice shot overall but just misses the concept of the challenge to me. The other little boy is way to calm, maybe if they had both looked a bit more surprised or even shocked. An 8

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by drydoc:
I like this shot a lot. Spontanious. Just wish the noise was reduced and the contrast was a little more even. Best of luck. Still got a high mark from me.

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by jaimeegrl:
Great focus! What an adorable shot. The expressions are priceless.
A bit overexposed, but I still love the surprise element.

Dodging Birds
by Samara

Comment by vadvirag:
I love this one, would be 10 if I could vote! he boys are really surprised, I like their true emotions and Black and White is perfect for this shot! :-) Congrats, i would like to see this one in the top 3, so good luck!