too cute
by Kelli

Comment by alfresco:
Awwwwwwe :)

Sit ubu, sit!

:)

Well, she was just seventeen, You know what I mean, And the way she looked was way beyond compare.
by Kelli

Comment by kirsty_mcn:
I think you've already identified the main issues with what you've said in the thread but here goes:

Composition
Nice to be offcenter, looking back across to the viewer.

Technical stuff (exposure, dof, lighting etcâ€Â¦)
Focus seems a tad soft on the face, but this may be just something to do with the lighting, because if you look along the same plane focus seems ok (ie on back, dress), and shutterspeed wasnt slow enough for blur.
You're already aware of the blownout highlights, must have been difficult lighting to work with. This brings it down a lot, in terms of what I (or others I suspect) would have voted it.

Meeting the challenge
Definitely, a lot of people chose that lyric, although I think I personally would have preferred a less posed photo for the quote, but then again I'm too young to really know the songs well so that may just be me.

Post-processing
You've done as well as you could have to rescue the highlights, but sometimes you just need to get it right (with luck) in-camera. I think the spotlight works to give interest (ignoring the rules here)

My personal opinion
A nice picture for her to keep, but the blownoutness ruins it in a dpc context. Sorry about the DQ though, its easy to misunderstand the rules as they are now, but at least now you know and won't do it again

Dover grandstands - wide angle
by Kelli

Comment by Melethia:
Awesome shot!

Well, she was just seventeen, You know what I mean, And the way she looked was way beyond compare.
by Kelli

Comment by Melethia:
Trading Post comment

Composition/subject
I like the way you have her positioned in the frame, and the looking over the shoulder angle that you chose. She also happens to be very pretty!
Technical
The spotlight effect, while illegal for DPC, does add interest to this, but I think I'd like to see the original without it. It appears the background color is a bit dull - maybe work with the original with curves and levels, maybe even a bit of color shift, to make the background a bit more appealing color. The lighting seems a bit harsh on her arm, but not sure if that's in the original or an effect of the filter.
Meets challenge
Definitely met the challenge - the line you chose fits perfectly!
My opinion
I like the shot as far as the pose and the placement in the frame quite a bit.

Well, she was just seventeen, You know what I mean, And the way she looked was way beyond compare.
by Kelli

Comment by nards656:
==Trading Post==

The background would have been very plain without the spotlight, so I see why you wanted to add it. She doesn't look really happy - perhaps intentional, that's fine - and the light is glaring a little bit on her forehead. I DO really like the non-traditionaly prom pose. Sorry for the DQ :)

Well, she was just seventeen, You know what I mean, And the way she looked was way beyond compare.
by Kelli

Comment by timfythetoo:
Trading Post -
I voted late on this challenge so I never saw this shot. I will leave the spotlight issue alone. Overall the focus is a bit too soft. Her arm is blown out pretty bad and the lighting on her face seems a bit harsh. She seems a bit off centered but not quite enough. She looks a bit angry, like I wouldnt want to cross her at that moment. I probably would have scored this a 5 if I had the chance. I hope this didnt com e off too harsh - just my lowly opinion.

A child's crowning achievement
by Kelli

Comment by timfythetoo:
Trading Post -
Good focus and colors but the background is really lacking. The shadows are a bit odd and the white just doesnt really do much for the overall pic. Now if you had your son wearing the medal with a big grin I think you would have conveyed success much stronger and had not only a better score but a fun pic of your child. The way it sits now leaves it kind of flat and boring. I scored it a 5 in the challenge.

Dover grandstands - wide angle
by Kelli

Comment by Skip:
sweet! what a great day for racin!

A child's crowning achievement
by Kelli

Comment by kirsty_mcn:

Composition
I would prefer the medal to be less centralized - maybe in the middle horizontally, but on the bottom third vertically

Technical stuff (exposure, dof, lighting etcâ€Â¦)
Focus is spot on, and exposure very good. I'm impressed with the lighting on the background to give a nice plain white b/g

Post-processing
Not much to say really, good amount of saturation, good contrast

Message/atmosphere portrayed
imho, if it were to include a grinning child, or the medal being held aloft for example, it would portray the desired feeling (of achievement, success, your kid's pride...) a lot more.

Meeting the challenge
Obviously

My personal opinion
Whilst all the technicalities are good, the way you have approached the theme (imho) gives a rather clinical, stock photo kind of feel, rather than the emotions associated with the feeling of success.

A child's crowning achievement
by Kelli

Comment by chalice:
The focus is good, as are the colors of the medal. There are background shadows that distract from the subject. I didn't vote in this challenge but probably would have agreed with the majority. The photo lacks any "wow" factor, but instead looks like a stock photo shot.

I just noticed the title. Given that, perhaps the child should be in the picture too. I'm sure his/her grin would have been worth a bump in the score.