Little tree will become tall (2)
by clickodak

Comment by glad2badad:
Hey - I can see it now. :-) I think this would have done better in the challenge this way, yes. Still seems a little bit under-exposed but I do like what you've done with it.

little tree will become tall
by clickodak

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Well, I think Glad2badad has done an excellent critique already and very succinctly summed up everything I want to say about your image, I will try to add a little further detail. The background does not add to the overall result a clean white background would greatly simplify and add impact. Because cameras are geared to give average results for average scenes they will always underexpose a predominantly white scene such as snow so you always need to give 1 or 2 stops +EC in order to get nice crisp whites. The white balance is in need of a slightly warmer shift to reduce the blueness overall. Happy New Year and good luck in the coming year Marcel.

little tree will become tall
by clickodak

Comment by glad2badad:
I think the overall concept of this photo is great. Some things I wish were different in the end result: 1) an isolated subject - if you could have taken a different position to get this small tree without the background ... 2) exposure is maybe .5 to .7 underexposed ... 3) white balance is just a little too cool (blue) IMO.

Best of luck to you in the challenge.

little tree will become tall
by clickodak

Comment by Melethia:
Cute little guy! Reminds me of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

little tree will become tall
by clickodak

Comment by GeorgesBogaert:
Really cool picture. Lovely, peaceful, serene. I gives tranquility looking at your image. Some minor point is the left side on top. A 7 from me

It's too hot !!!!
by clickodak

Comment by sidpixel:
Hey Marcel, well done! I've only just seen your latest addition to your ever-growing ribbon collection and what a worthy addition it is, great use of natural lighting with a humorous feel to it which is always welcome. I'm proud of you, keep up the good work...

Vanishing Point Tunnel
by clickodak

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

A very appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Excellent image Marcel, truly fulfils the challenge brief. I like your decision to invert the composition to create an image that is much more unique and therefore appealing. You have managed to create some good symmetry here, with lovely reflections. I donĂ¢€™t know if that is a figure with a red backpack in the distance but because it is not so clear it is marring the end result instead of adding impact as it would if it were more obvious. It serves as an excellent example of just what a dominant colour red is! Have a lovely festive time, I look forward to more creative images from you in the New Year, good luck.

It's too hot !!!!
by clickodak

Comment by Bear_Music:
How nice to be your "neighbor", Marcel. Personally, I was amazed at how much emotion this little outlet is emitting. Well done, sir!

It's too hot !!!!
by clickodak

Comment by JamesDowning:
Greetings from the ministry of the critique club.

I really enjoy this image. It was one of my highest rated images. I have a strong preference towards strong graphic qualities in my own photography - and this picture is the epitome of a graphic image. I really enjoy the strong basic shapes in this image, with the clean, strong lighting. It's a familiar image to us now-a-days, particularly because its reminiscent of an emoji.

Photography is all about light, and I think this image supports that. The lighting from above matches the lighting that is most common on human faces, so we get a familiar shadow on the emoji's eye sockets from the brow and nose that really brings out the link and stimulates the brain.

The biggest gripe I have with this entry isn't the photo at all - its in the title. I love the image - hate the title. I don't see the link, and to me, a good title on DPC should have a strong link with the image. Sure, that particular expression on a human could mean "its too hot", but it could also mean many other things. There's nothing in this image that links me to 'hot'. Maybe I'm just missing it. To me, some sort of reference to a pillory or maybe a hermit would be a better fit. That might bring some added dimension or comprehension to the image that would help bring some depth and emotional backing/linking.

Editing-wise, I have no complaints or criticism. It doesn't appear overworked - the B&W works fine here.

Overall, I think its a simplified, well-conceived, strong graphic image with a good clear subject. I think it was just missing that link to the human emotion (that, if you note, the top shots in this challenge seemed to have a little more of).

Hopefully you found some grain of insight here. Cheers.

It's too hot !!!!
by clickodak

Comment by snaffles:
One of my 7s. Always glad to see you on the homepage, even better to see that you saw the sun and shadows and knew to catch it. Congrats on the HM! :-)