Potted
by Kelli

Comment by Melethia:
Trading Post comment
I didn't enter or vote in this challenge; without looking at your comments, I'm betting you got hit with a lot of DNMC with respect to it not being a viewer's idea of a still life. I see it more as a picture of flowers. In that respect, I like the angle you chose, but am not as fond of the overall composition - I can't really put my finger on it, but I think it needs either a lot less or a lot more sky. I like the subtle gradation of the sky. You may want to try to bring that out a bit more.

Potted
by Kelli

Comment by ericwoo:
--Trading Post--
Nicely lit, nicely focused, and nicely exposed. My only issue with this one was that it did not meet my expectations for a still life. Call it jaded from those damned high school art classes, but I think that a still life should be an arranged composition.

A child's crowning achievement
by Kelli

Comment by sjturner:
the shadow is a little off putting but a nice and simple idea

Looking through the mirror...
by Kelli

Comment by DanSig:
[[trading post]]

I think this meats the challenge very well, composition is good, nice colors, but shutterspeed is way to slow, the image isn't sharp and you can see movement in the faces.

it would be nice to see good movement in the hands, but the faces just have to be 100% frozen.

I didn't vote in this challenge, but due to the movement I would only give this a 3-4. but with higher shutterspeed, 1/60 - 1/125 this would look much better and the score would be 7-8.

Potted
by Kelli

Comment by katswig:
Back lit doesn't work for me in this situation.

Looking through the mirror...
by Kelli

Comment by Melethia:
Trading Post comment
I gave this a 6 in voting. I didn't see your comment in the forum, but I really liked the expressions on both the hairdresser and the customer. I also really liked that these are real people in real time, and the composition is very good. Other than the blur issue, you might have positioned yourself just enough to get rid of the light switch. I do like the poster behind the hairdresser - adds to the "environment". Hopefully you'll take a copy to your hairdresser - I'm betting she'll love it!

Looking through the mirror...
by Kelli

Comment by kirsty_mcn:
critique trading

I gave this a 5 in the voting - it's a very well captured moment, the composition of the 2 faces is strong, and it really shows the hairdresser in her element which is the most important thing of an environmental portrait, but you've obviously struggled with enough light, and the high ISO/low shutterspeed has made it quite blurry/grainy, so the quality isn't as good as the content. I think this was the main reason it didn't score any higher.

Looking through the mirror...
by Kelli

Comment by ericwoo:
--Trading Post--

Very interesting choice of subject, and nicely composed. As Tim said, it looks like a quick snapshot. I think this one would have scored well if the focus had been better. You hit the challenge perfectly, though.

Looking through the mirror...
by Kelli

Comment by timfythetoo:
Trading Post -

I think your subject matter suited the challenge quite well. But it looks like a quick snapshot rather than a proper portrait. A bit too blurry overall. That really is the primary issue with this shot. Colors could have been a bit more vibrant as well.

Dirty Pond Crisis (A documentary on the effects of water pollution on fish)
by Kelli

Comment by kirsty_mcn:
I noticed this in the challenge, and it was certainly not a title I'd considered lol. It was a good idea to pursue something for an environmental documentary, but I feel this topic is just a little bland - I'd certainly fall asleep during the movie if you don't mind me saying.

All the technical things are ok, don't have anything to criticise with the composition, but it just lacks emotional appeal. Shouldn't have got the brown, but don't wanna take your ribbon from you :P