The Power and Beauty of a Woman
by Emeraulde

Comment by SoulHunter74:
I don't see the propaganda element in it? except if it's pro-smoking propaganda?

The Power and Beauty of a Woman
by Emeraulde

Comment by Manikz:
I couldn't have said it any better myself. 10.

The Power and Beauty of a Woman
by Emeraulde

Comment by Neil:
Well, I am not sure if your title was to evoke a response. While this woman has a great powerful look, the cigarette to me is a weakness. And a cigarette makes one anything but beautiful. So I am not sure what to make of this topically, though it is very well taken. The bit of smoke to the right center is a distraction (as is the whole cigarette).

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by RiderGal:
I really feel that there is a lot that could be improved here. I'm going to try and explain why I don't care for this photo, hopefully you will get something out of it. For one... I don't really see anything interesting here, ok it's a candle that has wax puddles on both sides, but there is no meaning to it besides your title. For me it was hard to see what it was, even after I saw the title. The straight down look to the shot is quite unappealing, while it is a different look then one might expect, I'm just not sure it works. To me this shot could have been made more interesting 1, with it on some kind of a stand looking at it from the side 2, with some sort of a bright colored candle (blue or green etc.) 3, I can't tell if it's burning or not, I think it is but it's hard to see, burning from the side, seeing the flame would be nice 4, a white background so that the wax from the brightly colored candle would show up brilliantly and 5, wait for possibly a drip to shoot the photo. As it is, I'm sorry, but I gave it a 1.

Work Can Wait
by Emeraulde

Comment by StevePax:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

This is an interesting idea for this challenge. However, I don't really find much about your execution that grabs my attention. I agree with some of the other commenters that the cord in the foreground is a bit too much, and that whatever is in the background is a little distracting.

Your subject didn't offer much in the way of color or contrast for you to work with. The whole thing is very monochrome and flat. Perhaps a little more dramatic lighting would have been more effective.

I hope to see more of your work in future challenges!

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by scrum8:
I think I would have tried a different angle. I like the concept and literalism.

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by Shelley:
I think that if this was taken at a different angle and not from the top, it would have shown up mucj better. As it is, the flames aren't really very clear. Nice idea though

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by adine:
Cool angle. but how would it look from the side? It might be easier to see the flames.

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by drydoc:
Needs to be an eye level shot.

"Ramona Quimby, Age 9"
by Emeraulde

Comment by Ram21:
Good detail, nice in B/W.