To the Lighthouse Past (tribute to dan_pendleton)
by theSaj

Comment by LN13:
I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the duotone here, but the fact that it's a lighthouse does get you a bonus point from me.

To the Lighthouse Past (tribute to dan_pendleton)
by theSaj

Comment by CzechMan:
Too bad it wasnt zoomed in a little closer on the lighthouse. Good job though!

To the Lighthouse Past (tribute to dan_pendleton)
by theSaj

Comment by graphicfunk:
returning for comments:
An image that will outlive the challenge. Bumping up.

To My Lovely Kimberley
by theSaj

Comment by theSaj:
These flowers so remind me of you my Kimberley and so address how I feel during the times you are departed from me.

I see their beauty but I cannot touch, nor feel, nor smell them, and life feels dull but there is still a distinctness that I can feel of you.

- Your Jason

To My Lovely Kimberley
by theSaj

Comment by e301:
from the Critique Club

A couple of people understood, at least - though far more equally obviously didn't. How to be able to prevent that whilst still being able to submit work of this kind of quality seems a reasonable question.

First and most obviously I think your composition needs work. The suggested idea of filling the frame with flowers has a lot of merit, but also the composition is jumbled a slightly disorganised anyhow. I think you need to find a real focal point for things - that element of your image that you really want ot be the thing to hold the eye, and place that as strongly in frame as you can - the thirds 'rule' is an obvious route to take. Other approaches are to find elements that form lines, or strong shapes, and work your image around that. Also you might use your title more effectively - some mention of 'fade' or 'faded' perhaps might make it clear that this is intentional, without hitting the voters over the head with it.

However, perhaps a touch more care with your processing should be the most effective route. The entire look of this makes me think you've simply moved the black point and desaturated a touch. And of cours, it isn't a duotone, which hasn't helped your score. I get the impression that this isn't a completely serious entry - or at least not the main point.

New Haven Sharpie at Night - ISO 3200
by theSaj

Comment by Sinky:
Now that is impressive. Did you use NeatImage, or Noise Ninja at all, or is this noiseless image straight out of the camera?

To My Lovely Kimberley
by theSaj

Comment by skewsme:
I love the fade and hope you don't get clobbered for low contrast. Elegant and subtle. Nice work.

To My Lovely Kimberley
by theSaj

Comment by LN13:
The contrast seems way off in this photo.

To My Lovely Kimberley
by theSaj

Comment by stef57:
a little less exposure time would bring out really nice contrasts

To My Lovely Kimberley
by theSaj

Comment by PaulE:
I love this, No idea how you managed to get all those tones so softly hinted at. Very subtle. I'm guessing some might knock this, but not me.