Dinosaur rock
by otto22

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

An excellent image that fits the challenge well.

Well, you've certainly found a most appropriate subject for the challenge here, and the timing is such that the tide forms some interest in the middle distance beyond the dry shore. The long exposure has calmed the waters which seems to be the chosen way nowadays, personally I prefer something in between, a little more animated.

Although you have made an excellent job in terms of composition I do have a couple of issues with the image, the main one being the blown highlights. I know its inevitable that when you are including the sun you are going to get a certain amount of blown highlights but the long exposure has blown out too much of value here. I do like the starburst effect of the suns rays from the small aperture. The other problem for me is the unfortunate nature of the cloud bank which at first sight gives the impression of a sloping sea which would obviously be a definite no no. I'm pleased to see one of your commenters making the effort to expand upon the normal one liners, he adds another interesting perspective.

Well done with your deserved high placing for yet another excellent image, Sid.

Dinosaur rock
by otto22

Comment by jomari:
Beautiful and dramatic. One of my ribbon choices.

In the middle of the creek
by otto22

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A very well executed landscape of considerable appeal.

This is a joy to view, such a glorious landscape. With the wide angle end of your lens you have chosen a middle of the range aperture that has fulfilled your need for a large depth of field by careful choice of your focus point about a third of the way in. The quality that has resulted tells, you have sharpness right into the foreground corner and acceptable sharpness in the distant mountain. Your slow shutter speed has enabled you to convey just the right amount of movement in the water to make us really feel as though we are there in the midst of it.

The only minor criticism is the blown highlights around the sun but that is inevitable without HDR which, in my opinion, rarely gives such pleasing results as we have here. What I am very surprised about is that it didn't score higher, you have two tens, and that you received no comments during the challenge, disappointing but your image remains in all its strength.

Another very pleasurable image Otto, thanks, Sid

In line of fire
by otto22

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A great action shot.

Perfect timing, well done. I must admit that in pursuit of the shot I have put myself in equally precarious situations. Your choice of a slower shutter speed has enabled us to really experience the drama of the situation, the breaking wave has just the right amount of motion blur to help us fell the sheer power of it.

I see several of your commenters have picked up on the sharpening halos to the left, I can only agree with them, its a real shame, it mars an otherwise excellent image. There's not a lot you can do about the lighting but it would have been good if we could have got more definition of the wave against the sky. Its good to have some foreground included but the small amount we have here is not really adding anything and would probably be best cropped out. The exposure is good with plenty of detail throughout.

Another great shot Gudjon, well done, Sid

Dinosaur rock
by otto22

Comment by GeorgesBogaert:
nice. 9 from me

Little grass
by otto22

Comment by thierr26:
Amazing place !

Red house in snow storm
by otto22

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

Superb image that meets the challenge well.

Congratulations on your ribbon for your excellent submission, I like everything about this image, the minimalist approach, the composition, the colour its all working well together. Perhaps the only minor criticisms I would have concern the darker ridge of trees(?) at the lower right and a wish that the foreground snow was pristine and undisturbed.

The lovely red of the house in it cold surroundings very cleverly conveys a warm and inviting feeling as succinctly put by one of your commenters. Talking of commenters your first comment has berated it for all the things that for me work so well, it just goes to show you can't please all the peopleĆ¢€Ā¦

Takk for the pleasure of critiquing such a gorgeous image, Sid

Dinosaur rock
by otto22

Comment by paulwestmoreland1:
I'm new to this (photography and DP challenge) so please take whatever I say in view of that, I'm not sure my "critique" verbiage is written in an acceptable way.

I really like this photograph a lot. On a gut level it feels right because it is balanced, it has clarity that I can focus on, I think it captures "silhouettes" in an interesting way. The large, rock silhouette on the right - it's like a profile shot of an ancient face, it seems to be glowing through the nose and it is touching the sun. It's beautiful. The silhouette of that stonehenge looking formation in the upper-middle left - legs maybe of a giant? very nice. The lighting in the foreground is also very illuminating, I can see the barnacles on the rocks. The lines/depth are following nicely from left to right. If there were any criticism, it might be that some of the image is out of focus - but then again that adds nicely to the dream effect.

Dinosaur rock
by otto22

Comment by mykoleary:
w. o. w.

The lake
by otto22

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A pleasing landscape that meets the challenge

You have some interesting cloud shapes as a result of the long exposure which are quite appealing but unfortunately the foreground object coincides with its reflection. It is normally a good idea to include some foreground interest, such as you have, but what we have is a result that somehow just seems to lack the punch that makes you want to keep coming back to it. I tend to agree with your commenter Rabidcoydog.

As the challenge theme was liquid I think it would have worked a lot better if you had excluded a lot of the sky, nice as it is, got rid of the foreground object and concentrated on the reflections instead. Exposure-wise it is good apart from the two hotspots on the water.

Having said all that it has scored well and been appreciated here so well done, Sid