eak2_640.jpg
by sp00f

Comment by pcody:
Good job controlling the background light. Interesting that the lighting is soft. With a subject like this it might have seemed cliche to use direct hard lighting but this choice gives a whole other mood. It makes him approchable in spite of the tattoos covering his body. I like the pov also. All together, your choices created a good character study.

the_boys2.jpg
by sp00f

Comment by heida:
This shot has a special old mood to it as Kylie said, I fell though that the guy to the left ruins the feeling, it like they are all looking at something special that seems exeting and it makes me courious, I think it could build up the mood better if the guy on the left is cropped out.

theroadahead_640.jpg
by sp00f

Comment by heida:
Very good and simple shot:) Simple is good, the houses there far away makes this shot, as it feels the road is leading to them, the color of the picture seems too drag it down though, I dont like the green color in the sky but the cloud sturcture is nice :)

payyoufare.jpg
by sp00f

Comment by heida:
The lighting here is moody, feels like you are inside a movie or something, But I feel that the window is in the way, the reflections on him are a bit disturbing.

portraitofastallion_640.jpg
by sp00f

Comment by heida:
I like horses they are such a great models, and I especially like white horses :) This shot is a great portrait of the horse, lighting and composition is good, the only thing is there seems too be a hot spot on his neck and the wires above him, mabey they can be cloned out.

the_boys2.jpg
by sp00f

Comment by Kylie:
Very cool shot. Almost looks like it could have been taken in the 30's or 40's (which I consider a good thing!).

The Welder
by sp00f

Comment by photom:
Greetings Josh and * Greetings from the Critique Club *

Your second challenge - and a very nice submission. We won't discuss the "rules", "customs" or "manners" of the site, only the image itself.

"The Welder" is a very strong image - primarily due to the dramatic lighting. That lighting really makes the colors stand out and become critical to the composition. The yellow and balck rope would normally just "be there" - but in this image it is a great lead-in tool.

It generally works better if there is more space behind your subject than in front of it - so consider cropping the image on the right side so that the yellow-black rope is right on the border.

On the other side - cut a bit off the left and the bottom so the coiled rope is kinda in the bottom left corner.

This cropping will make it nearly a square format, but I think you'll find it works a bit better.

YOur colors are fantastic - with the green shirt, blue pants and helmet, and the red beam all leading to the action in the hands. And the entire scene is framed by a triangle of rope.

Good seeing - keep shooting and sharing!

-Tom-

The Welder
by sp00f

Comment by sp00f:
Thanks to all who commented. I learned a lesson on posting to forums before a challenge, to be honest, i guess I wasnt thinking.
Thanks!

The Welder
by sp00f

Comment by cbeller:
This should have placed much higher. The lighting, colors, mood, everything is excellent. I may have cropped it a bit different though. No doubt in my mind that this should have at least been in the top 20.

Sounds like you posted this in the forums, before you entered it. The fact that others saw it before, may have impacted your score a bit.

Adding to my favorites.

The Welder
by sp00f

Comment by cbeller:
Very nicely done. One of my favorites. Bumping from an 8 to a 9