Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by vawendy:
I agree with most of what's been said. Little things bother me -- such as the boot on the left of the picture is drawing my eye out of the picture instead of into it. It may have been stronger with the lower boot on the other side. The focus is a bit wonky, and so is the color. I still probably would have given it a 6, because none of these things makes that big of a difference.

What you'd need to do to get a higher score from me is to make me more interested. Tie it into something. As giantmike said, perhaps a more gritty setting. Or even some mud attached to the bottom of the boots with some bits coming off on the floor. Make me think of the work and sweat that happens in these boots. Context other than a front hall will have more meaning.

Also, did you try a different angle? Laying down on the floor and shooting straight in at the boots? It can be a little more personal point of view. Here's a different perspective with sempermarine's shot:

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by Giles:

Originally posted by hahn23: n/a

i was wondering if your praising fawning eulogy was sarcastic or serious.....

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by deeby:
Not a bad pic, not offensive anyway. It didn't excite me either though. The title indicates a personal point of view, but the reference to military stuff is too strong politically and overpowers the personal sentiment. Technically, the left toe is out of focus which bugged me. I didn't look at it long enough to realize the right one's leg part was turned down. I gave it a 5. And I'm glad you entered the challenge.

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by sinistral_leo:
I agree with the already said.
I think the use of actual military combat boots would match the feel better. Those look like work/hiking boots. The red tag is an allergy identifier and the green is a tag of army values, both of which could've been left out.

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by Venser:
What Giles_uk about the dog tags. I feel like they're what I'm supposed to be looking at, but they're out of focus. If dog tags and boots were more synonymous, maybe it wouldn't be a problem, but they are two things which aren't normally associated together. Add the fact one of the them is red/pink, it draws your eye there immediately.

Now that you asked for an in depth critique, what I don't like is both boots aren't the same. One is clearly over the ankle, about four inches, and the other looks like it's been chopped below the ankle. I'm starting to wonder where the rest of the boot went, and more importantly, why. I gave this 5, which was above average for this challenge, but looking at the lack of boot is driving me nuts now.

CS

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by Giles:
i gave it a 4, no noticeable choice of focus. i.e on the dog tags the main element of the photo, i disliked the darkness of the tongue, everything is cream not white, the skirting board and the wall etc . the focus seems to be on the front of the right shoe and the broken lace. just looked like another pair of worn boots to me, am i meant to associate them with military boots? are they dog tags or makers tags i dont know? compositionally it looks like 1 boot and one shoe and its titled "soles of freedom" yet i see no soles really? and they dont look very free.

harsh maybe but thats how i vote im a love it hate it kinda guy although that equates to my average vote being Avg Vote Cast: 5.1352 which seems like im overly harsh but my standards have got higher 67 challenges into my dpc career :)

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by giantmike:
I gave you a 6. It's a pleasant image, that could use some work to bring out the wow factor (these are of course personal opinions):
* The light floor and wall seem out of place. I would like a more gritty setting
* The depth of field seems to be a little bit shallow, throwing the toes out of focus a bit
* The colors of the tags seem unnaturally washed out somehow

Walking On Eggshells
by Denielle

Comment by cutout:
looking good 8

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by grahamgator:
Not too bad for your first entry. My first entry on DPC was for the "shoes" challenge, and I too used my husbands military boots. I am sure you will do very well here.

Soles Of Freedom
by Denielle

Comment by Tiny:
Three now.
Nice start ,in a midway position,can,t be bad.
I would have liked to see the more prominent boot in more focus to the other one.
But that,s just me.