Simple Life
by cbeller

Comment by Shannon:
Personally I feel this shot would be better in full black and white, to me black and white with a bit of color is only appropriate when a key element of the photo is highlighted in color, in this case, I don't feel that the skirt is a key element or a main focal point and draws attention away from the horse and carriage. 6

Simple Life
by cbeller

Comment by willem:
very strange to have it B&W except the blue. The effect does not add anything, just distracts.

Simple Life
by cbeller

Comment by vadvirag:
The lean in the foreground is a bit distracting for me, but this is a very nice composition. I wonder why you have desaturated all colours except blues. I think a full desaturation and sepia tones would have made it, too. :-) Just an opinion.

Simple Life
by cbeller

Comment by GoodEnd:
Desaturation is simple? It´s really complex, in shades, paterns and absent of colors!

Simple Life
by cbeller

Comment by ahaze:
Technical: Most all images submitted fit the challenge. This does well. Exposure composition focus lighting all good, though for me the selective coloring doesn't add anything to the shot.

Personal: Nice.

My vote: 6

The Love of a Grandmother
by cbeller

Comment by Neil:
Critique Club Review:

Aesthetics. This is a very well composed image; the subject's expression is very natural, though maybe not the way she would have posed, I guess.

Production Analysis. There's a pretty good range of tones in the photo. However, the glare of the flash on her head presents the biggest tonal problem here. The chair behind her is dark, but there's detail there.

Normally, I like the way Neatimage can smooth skin. However, the NeatImage settings you used, combined with the flash reflection, she looks very plastic, or very wet. The lower part of her face around the chin seems to have good soft texure, but from around the bottom of the glasses up are problematic. Perhaps the lesson in this is that Neatimage doesn't mix with high contrast areas of skin or where there are reflections you cannot edit (because of the rules).

In general, NeatImage should be adjusted carefully, on a case by case basis. It's not worth the effect on the bottom, when the top of her face is degraded.

Of course, the sentiment you feel for your grandmother comes through well here, and that's what counts!

I hope there was some new, and helpful information here for you.

Regards--Neil

Scratchin' for Riches
by cbeller

Comment by HRoxas:
Good fit for the challenge. I like the motion captured by the camera. Good luck, I hope you won something. Good luck in the challenge, too . Mu vote 6

Blue Glass
by cbeller

Comment by WILDBLUE:
6.

Scratchin' for Riches
by cbeller

Comment by ahaze:
Technical: Fits the challenge. Exposure composition focus lighting all good. The movement of the hand adds interest.

Personal: Good idea, well shot.

My vote: 6

Scratchin' for Riches
by cbeller

Comment by Terrynixon:
I like the blurry cause it shows the eagerness to win.