Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by muckpond:
i think a more dramatic angle would help this shot.

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by moodville:
The concept is good, the link to the title and phrase is good. Unfortunately the quality of the pic is just not really there. I'm guessing you went overhead to get the puddles of wax and to show both ends being burned. Did you try it in other angles first? Being black and white the flames have blended into the color of the candle a lot and dont really stand out as much. I think possibly an angle from the front at the same level of it could have shown the high flames on either end, that way you could have got the feeling of being closer without worrying about your camera melting in the heat.

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by ScantyNebula:
I really think you should have used color in this shot because its hard to tell whats going on here, the flame blends in too much with the candle.

Burning the Candle at Both Ends
by Emeraulde

Comment by vtruan:
Nice idea, but the not angle you took it. Did you try a lower angle so you could see the flames better?

My Window
by Emeraulde

Comment by emorgan49:
hello from the critique club-

What a gorgeous sunset!! It looks like a storm is just passing and the skys have just cleared.

I like how you have framed the sunset with the silouetted trees. It gives the image depth. and I love those lower dowm clouds dipping into the trees - more depth. I like how you have created some tension/contrast with the horizontal lines of the clouds and the vertical shapes of the trees. Also weight, you have defined a sense of weight - the clouds are soft, without sharp outlines and bright, ie light. The earth is dark, has sharp shapes and is at the bottom of the frame - ie heavy.

Since the challenge is eternity I suppose the viewer could bring his own set of ideas about religion or about life/death or about confinement/freedom. Your picture gives us something to think about.

As for ways to improve it...perhaps if the silouette was more interesting in itself it would have an equal draw to the sky and pull the viewers eyes back and forth from one to the other. Like what? I don't know. a church spire, a large bird, a playground structure? I know that would change the purpose from "my window" to something all altogether. Also the tree on the right is a bit blobby and too dominant.

If you want a better score you need to figure out how to post a larger image. On my screen, yours is about four and a half inches, whereas the winners are a full seven inches. Remember that 640 pixels is the largest size allowed and it is a good idea to take advantage of it. Yours is only 420 x 285. A larger image is easier to see, details get lost in a thumbnail.

Is the image tilted ever so slightly? It feels like it dips to the left. Even if this is the way the scene actually was, it might help to rotate like one degree clockwise and see if it looks more natural.

Sunsets are considered and "over done" subject. Most DPC voters have scored dozens and dozens. Sometimes I think a sunset image doesn't get the attention or score it deserves as an individual photograph because it carries the baggage of all the other sunset shots. Yours scored very well and you should be proud of both the picture and it's score.

Please remember that this is just the opinion of one person who is far from expert.
PS. I like your soccer mom picture the best!

Message edited by author 2003-11-18 11:28:39.

"Ramona Quimby, Age 9"
by Emeraulde

Comment by neenee1999:
Cute shot!

Morning Coffee and Prayer
by Emeraulde

Comment by Neuferland:
That is most sacred to some, like my husband. :) The off center of the cup is a good call but the brightness is wanting, and it looks more like hot chocolate than coffee :) A 5

"Ramona Quimby, Age 9"
by Emeraulde

Comment by GinaRothfels:
You should have changed your angle slightly to get rid of whatever is coming out of the top of her head.

"Ramona Quimby, Age 9"
by Emeraulde

Comment by stargazer:
Nice picture. The facial expression is perfect!

Morning Coffee and Prayer
by Emeraulde

Comment by Thorsgodhi:
What do you put in your morning coffee,that looks discusting. But seriously I like the use of colors here. it looks almost lke you cut the bottom of the cup off. the sides of the cup are alittle distracting though.