A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by jeremya:
Try get the Horizon level and try rearangeing the pots. Also try avoid distracting background elements like the shelf bracket.

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by KarenB:
The shelf bracket in the background is distracting. Grouped further to the left to eliminate this, minus the flag/or reposition the flag if it is important to you, and make some more dramatic lighting.
I started this challenge with photographing my subject, then went back and reorganized and looked at it differently to come up with my submission. Not saying it was the best in the end, but better than what I started out with.
BTW: Love the pottery!
Email me afterwards?

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by GinaRothfels:
This would have worked much better if you'd postioned the vases away from the shelf and support.

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by jimmsp:
I just wish the shelf wasn't there. Still, above average.

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by jmsetzler:
I think this is a well composed image, but the shelf support and the shelf in the background is just a bit distracting. = 6 - jmsetzler

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by Crystal Streams:
good contrasts here

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by Gene L.:
I see a very nice clean exposure and a good composition with great color and sharpness. I do however think that it needs a slight clockwise rotation. It would also be nice to eliminate the shelf and bracket and cut down on the shadows by using some fill lighting.

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by karmat:
though I really like the flag, I think the picture would have been more effective without it. You have some nicely contrasting textures here, and the colors are complimentary. Also, I think the vases should have been moved to the left some, if possible, to get rid of the wall bracket. karmat

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by UberFish:
The flag has the jaggies, try photoshopping harder. The flag is a bit naff too, a limp, sad, round the wrong way thing, and out of context to boot. The picture is slanted down too the left, you need to think about whether the frame is level before snapping away. You have reflections from the flash, turn it off, steady the camera on the back of a chair and use a long exposure. The shelf bracket is intruding, try moving the pots elsewhere, or hide it behind the big pot and frame things lower. The pot arrangement is formal (small big small big) but not formal enough. Try arranging them randomly, or symetrically, or in height order. On the bright side, you didn't just photograph the carpet like some entries this week.

A touch of July
by aelith

Comment by autool:

Composition4
Originality7
Technical Aspects4
Meets Challenge7
Total Score6

For those that are just learning, like me.

Composition: Scoring in this area is based on basic composition of a picture and includes the rule of thirds, balance, cropping, and curved and diagonal lines. Subject matter that does not lend itself to the picture or otherwise unwanted is also considered here.

Originality: Scoring in this area is based on pictures or concepts that I have seen, as well as how much effort you have invested in the picture. Usually a little something that sets it aside from a snapshot. Does it make me want to come back for another look? You know things like that.

Technical Aspects: Focus, exposure, lighting, and other special effects (done by the camera), and post processing are all considered in this category.

Meets Challenge: This is based on my interpretation of if you, have/have not, met the challenge. This is fairly simple but quite important for this site.

There are many sites that can give you assistance in achieving better skills in photography, but I think the best way to learn is to take pictures and show them to other people. Believe me when it is a good one you will know it.

Good luck!

Autool