Grabs And Tricks
by Jecto

Comment by Philos:
Hi, Here's a Critique Club Comment:

I am doing one of my very rare appearances as a member of the critique club, actually I think this only my first or second time this year :)

First of all let me excuse me for my English, if I make mistakes, just pm me, but try it in my native language (Dutch) :-b
Second, let me congratulate you with this image, I know this is not easy with the Ixus.
You wanted a CC comment on your submission, well here we go:
It will be a bit of Photoshop tutorial I think:
Vbd70̢۪s comment, that the focus is more on the background then on the foreground is imo the most helpful comment you could get, it̢۪s maybe not so much the focus, but you real subject, the guy on the skateboard, is not lit very well.
As I mentioned, this is not an easy shot with your camera and I could tell you that you could have used the flash to fill in the subject, but with the build in flash this would probably not work.

What you could have done is use Shadow/Highlight in Photoshop CS (If you have that) with the settings: 50/20 that would lighten up the guy a bit.

Icorock said that it needed more action/motion
Yes, this could improve your photo, but as this also is not possible with your cam, we have to use Photoshop again.
Create a copy on a new layer (CTRL-J)
Go to filter -> Blur -> Motion blur
Choose angle 42 and distance 25
This will blur your whole picture with motion blur.
Add a layer mask (with the 2nd icon on the left of your layers panel) (a white square will appear next to the top layer)
Make your foreground color black, choose the paint Bucket tool and fill your photo with it.
The motion blur will disappear.
Now make your foreground color white and select a soft medium sized (maybe 50 pixels) brush.
Now just brush at the back of the guy from his head until the skateboard, and the motion blur will be shown behind him, there you have your motion.

Keep up the good work.

Peter

If you have any questions, comments or other things about this critique, or are bored and want to spam someone just PM me.

All That Is Left Is The Fading Photos, The Voices Of The Past Have Since Disappeared ...
by Jecto

Comment by SnapperL:
I see what you are trying to do. The grainy look does make it look oldeny. I'll give you a 10 because it is differant and I like that!

Portrait Of A Child Soldier
by Jecto

Comment by bucket:
Profound...congratulations on a wonderful shot.

Tack Attack!!!
by Jecto

Comment by Montereykiddo:
If this was just a little bit sharper it would have been absolutely stunning. Still very unique and well composed. Nice job.

All That Is Left Is The Fading Photos, The Voices Of The Past Have Since Disappeared ...
by Jecto

Comment by KJShover:
I liked the antique look of this. great work

All That Is Left Is The Fading Photos, The Voices Of The Past Have Since Disappeared ...
by Jecto

Comment by RKT:
Neat picture, but the noise is pretty distracting.

All That Is Left Is The Fading Photos, The Voices Of The Past Have Since Disappeared ...
by Jecto

Comment by LalliSig:
I am sure you are getting hammered for the "quality" of this shot but I like it, at least enought to give it a 6 and mainly because of the "feel" to it. Good luck in the challenge.

Portrait Of A Child Soldier
by Jecto

Comment by Zolle:
Fantastic, artistic, and perfectly done (exposure, and other tehnical stuff)! Straight 10!

All That Is Left Is The Fading Photos, The Voices Of The Past Have Since Disappeared ...
by Jecto

Comment by bclements:
Love the tone used for this photograph, and the grain. Great composition.

All That Is Left Is The Fading Photos, The Voices Of The Past Have Since Disappeared ...
by Jecto

Comment by sher:
breathtaking! i can't think of anything else to say...i'm speechless. goes straight to my favorites.