Dang Tree Branch
by cowcollect

Comment by L1:
Greetings from the Critique Club! :)

I will attempt to critique your image on four basic areas. Keep in mind I'm not a trained professional. ;)

1. Composition: For this particular challenge, I can see where you're going with the placement of the branch. If the branch were not there, the composition would, of course, be stronger. Branch aside, the composition for a lovely shot is there.

2. Technical Details: Your focus seems a bit soft. Sometimes that's good, when you're wanting a dreamy feel, but other times it's just one more thing the voters will find to drop crucial points off of the score. Your aperture, ISO, and shutter readings are not on the shot so I can't speak to those directly. The image overall is quite bright, with a contrasting area of shadow in the foreground, which is a distraction. Shooting at a different time of day with softer lighting and less harsh shadows would improve the shot dramatically.

3. Aesthetics: This seems like a lovely place, rather tranquil and serene. I'm sure with work and reshooting, you can capture it's beauty and produce a great image that really reflects the beauty of the space.

4. Relationship to Challenge: Because of the muddied tonal range and overall brightness in the middle and upper parts of the shot, and the darkness where the actual branch appears, I'm afraid that the relationship to the challenge was weakened for some voters. I think it's a novel idea, but the voters on DPC like to be "wowed" with challenge entries. Your 4.28 score reflects that. The branch seems to be secondary to the composition, which detracted from your score, I'm afraid.

Overall, your image has some strong points and some points in which improvements can be made. Keep shooting and submitting and I look forward to your next entry!

Laurie :)

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by yanko:
The tree takes up too much real estate for something that isn't the focus of the shot.

Desoto Flower
by cowcollect

Comment by Jutilda:
Greetings from the Critique Club!!

In order for an image to be considered high contrast, it must contain striking opposition without much mid tone activity. A simple black and white photo cannot attain this without crisp whites, very dark blacks and virtually no grays. Not to say that this photo, if shot again, couldn't attain this goal. It would be quite simple. Make sure you have good lighting and be sure that your focus is tack sharp. This is blurred, so the eye is searching for a true point in which to rest. The composition is good. The single sunflower against the fencepost is good - as one is dead, the other is alive, one is truly natural, the other has been altered by man. Without the ability to use advanced editing techniques, it makes it harder to achieve some of the goals needed to really make a ribbon contender. But, with perfect focus and good positioning, you can work with brightness and contrast, to create a really effectively contrasting shot!!

Best wishes,

Judy

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by digitalknight:
take four steps closer - more tree than kid in this shot, would love to see more detail in his face - looks like you captured a great expression

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by Tammer:
I like his pose against the tree, but for me, I find the fences in the background distract my eyes.

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by davmct:
should crop out the burning along the right side of the tree. models' face could be sharper in detail. fence in background is a bit distracting (both lattice and chain). lighting seems to be quite harsh, as though it was mid-day (noon - 3pm), yet perhaps too soft in the face from the shade of the tree. unfortunately, eyes seem a little darker w/o light.

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by pixieland:
A bit too much tree is over powering your subject. Good lighting.

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by mystical_princess:
wish this wasn't so soft

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by Germaine:
I think the picture should be cropped closer so Aiden is the central feature in the picture. The tree has taken over!. Also, the blown-out highlights at the right detract from the overall picture.

Aiden
by cowcollect

Comment by loseme:
Interesting glow from the yellow.