Gas to the future..
by alphakappa

Comment by cpurser:
Great idea, but the image needs more contrast, and I would have cloned out the car.

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by aukipa:
very funny.

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by Art Roflmao:
Aawww. Someone needs a hug. Better him than me. Cool pic!

Gas to the future..
by alphakappa

Comment by rkligman:
The subject gets completely lost in the background and the poor color/contrast does nothing to help it.

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by KDO:
This is a fascinating shot. I am uncetain of the symbolism given the title, but it is certainly thought-provoking.

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by Skip:
while i appreciate your humor, the blown highlights in the trees really did this one in for me. i would have preferred a bit more detail on the foreground cacti as well. maybe a closer crop would have done more to convey authority.

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by wytemyke79:
Awesome Photo

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by blindjustice:
what kind of phallic psychiatrist's dream are you? I like the cut of your jib!

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by snackwells:
Connection with challenge theme: low, symbolic, concrete.

Technical:
(+) focus, tonal range of midtones and shadows, cropping.
(-) some loss of detail on the cacti, blown out sky.

Artistic:
I think the overall composition is to the point you are conveying (concrete vs abstract). You chose a rather interesting take on this challenge. I disagree with utilizing these two particular cacti as symbolic of 'father figure' authority. Perhaps if that 'big daddy' was spanking junior, or displaying a gesture of authority, your interpretive entry would hold more strength.

Overall: Your symbolic yet concrete entry is not readily a display of authority, and thus the connection with theme is rather low. There are some technical details which detract from the overall merits of this photo, and points were accordingly taken. Your entry has strengths which may have been better utilized in a different challenge.

Recommendations: Take care not to blow out highlights...utilize all areas of the photo to its greatest potential, unless you are blowing out highlights as an artistic gesture. Stronger sharpening may have brought out more details. This entry would be stronger in a challenge called "Sympathy".

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment by Prof_Fate:
barder too big. nice siubject matter, but not a good fit to this challenge topic. the sky is blown out badly.