Jaz using hands
by David.C

Comment by ScantyNebula:
Your little girl is very cute!! She looks a lot like her mom ;) What a nice picture :)

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by David.C

Comment by photom:
Hi David and Greetings from the Critique Club.

Congratulations on your 12th place finish in a very competitive competition. There are several reasons why it finished so high, primarily because it defines the "ultimate" freedom - time. No matter what else could define freedom, time has to be number one. As I recall, you are the ONLY person who used this theme - which shows a good imagination along with creativity.

I'm doing this critique wothout looking at your 29 comments - just to see how it goes. I suspect most of what I'll say has already been covered. This is why I made the post in the forum - that once a CC member sees this - just drop a note saying the prior comments already "said everything I would."

Now - about the image:

Composition The composition is very effective - there's not much I'd chnage about it, although I'd like to experiment with the cord angling towd the left bottom, just to see what it would do for it.

Exposure Spot on, the white in the clock face is just white enough to stand out against the off-white wall.

Lighting Besides the great idea and composition, your photo is all about texture. The wall texture is absolutely perfect for the clock. (I disagree with your thoughts on that.) So - given that, what would be the best way to optimize the texture? I would love to see you shoot this with almost 90 degree side lighting coming from the right and producing long shadows on the left (main light.) I think long shadows would emphasize passing of time.

Then a small, well diffused light on the front - but not "straight on." The goal of this light is to light the face without producing the glare on the frame. It would probably work best to use a white reflector rather than direct flash.

Title I think your title is great, but not for DPC purposes. The voters here are very particular - so it just may have gotten a few more points with a title like "Who Cares?" (But if points aren't that important, as I said, I really like the one you used.)

Hope this gives you an idea of how I personally do a CC Critique.

Keep shooting and sharing - and congratulations again.

-Tom-

Preying Mantis
by David.C

Comment by giega:
Nice shot! I tried to take a few pics of mantis myself. They're cool, they stay still (most of the time)

Preying Mantis
by David.C

Comment by ConcreteDonkey:
love the shot! GReat color and d/f

Preying Mantis
by David.C

Comment by Dr.Confuser:
Nice job on yet another bug. Your choice of background is especially strong. Contrast with head and eyes is powerful. Good focus and DOF. Among the best bug shots.

Preying Mantis
by David.C

Comment by rich:
Great pose on the Praying Mantis.

Preying Mantis
by David.C

Comment by Jacko:
Those guys rock. Hopefully I'll have a chance to photograph one some day. Is it a pet? Jacko. 9

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by David.C

Comment by Zoomdak:
Ah, great thinking, cleverly done (caught me by surprise to begin with).
Continue to think inside the challenge and outside the box.

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by David.C

Comment by siggi:
Very clever idea! My hat off for you, well if I ever had one on.
I've liked to see more plain background and the wire gone and bit less light from the right.
If I would have given you an 8.

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by David.C

Comment by graphicfunk:
Congratulations on your high placing. It was certainly a winner concept. Keep up the good work.