Gymshoes
by Pug-H

Comment by adyus:
This photo could only be taken in Japan... Can't see the writing on the shoes, but I'm pretty sure only the Japanese are so neat ;)

As for the photo, good balance and diversity. Maybe the lighting could have been a little more dramatic?

Gymshoes
by Pug-H

Comment by armelle:
I think this is a great idea for a photo. It seems that critics feel that amidst a whole lot of one thing (white shoes) you should include one that doesn't quite fit (like a red shoe for example) or maybe all on one side except for a lone one in the corner? In any case, good idea. It might work better if sharper and more cropped?
Nice job

Gymshoes
by Pug-H

Comment by RonBeam:
Are these for rent or something? Like bowling shoes? What is the signifigance of the bug's picture? I am really trying to get this shot. The shoe sizes look too big to match the little-kid-switches-shoes-to-go-to-gym scenario I am imagining.

1185 AD
by Pug-H

Comment by Pug-H:

Originally posted by Emilio: Great portrait but I don't think that 1885 AD samurai wore a glove when practicing archery.

That may be true for 1885AD as well as 1185AD. Kyudo (Japanese archery) is immensely difficult and more about the practice and state of mind of it than actually hitting the target. (I tried it once or twice a long time ago.) The thumb piece is actually made of metal covered in deerskin (or something similar).

Saturday 5.45pm
by Pug-H

Comment by Pug-H:

Originally posted by aguapreta: Nice candid, it would have helped if the subjects had been actually doing an activity or focused on something a bit more specific.

Their activity is Waiting for the Rain to Stop; this type of storm is over in quite a short time.

Saturday 5.45pm
by Pug-H

Comment by Pug-H:

Originally posted by rikki11: Too much foreground and not enough subject. Move in closer (or were you sheltering yourself as well?).

The title of the challenge being "Rain", the great expanse of foreground is there because it shows the splashy heaviness of the rainshower. This is already a crop of the larger picture.

Saturday 5.45pm
by Pug-H

Comment by Rikki:
Too much foreground and not enough subject. Move in closer (or were you sheltering yourself as well?).

Saturday 5.45pm
by Pug-H

Comment by metoecus:
If I were to infer the subject purely from the DOF I'd think that the bushes and stone curb were the intended topic. If this shot is supposed to be about rain, shooting the fractured reflections of the people in the puddle would have both met the challenge theme and added a clear subject.

Saturday 5.45pm
by Pug-H

Comment by SJCarter:
Nice focus & DOF. Good color too. The subject matter doesn't really appeal to me personally, but it's not a bad shot.

Saturday 5.45pm
by Pug-H

Comment by karmat:
Definitely meets the challenge! I obviously don't know what you're shooting with, but if there would have been any way to crop closer/get closer to show the expressions on the face, I think it would have been a truly excellent shot.