Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Blue Shadow
by Kavey

Comment by PaulMdx:
Interesting idea, and well executed.. Thnk I might have tried the whole bottle in shot, possible landscape? Seems to have been a bit oversharpened? (Halo on cork and down LHS of bottle?)

Past, Present & Future.
by Kavey

Comment by PaulMdx:
Definitely one of my favourite shots of yours, and one I remember from looking at your husband's entry. Has a certain 'sheen' of quality. I think maybe a little lack of crispness may have cost you a higher score.

Need a hand?
by Kavey

Comment by PaulMdx:
Framing/composition are nicely done. I like the range of shades, although the harsh conditions seem to have led to overexposure. Depending on the editing applied it pay have been worth playing with contrast/brightness to reduce blown out areas.

Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Blue Shadow
by Kavey

Comment by Biliana:
Beautiful expression of blue. great shadow. I love it. well done. Thank you dear. Best shootings, BIliana

Hand on my heart
by Kavey

Comment by Kavey:
Thanks Anna for your critique. Won't be entering the nude challenge as I'm not yet ready to become a paying member of DPC, but I hope similar challenge themes may be set again in the future.

The grain was not deliberate - I think it was because light may have been too low but I'm not experienced with the camera so I don't know.

I see what you mean about the strong light at the lower right area.

Thanks again.

Cow River
by Kavey

Comment by Kavey:
Thanks for both your comments!

The reason it looks as though something is missing at what likes an elbow bend is because it was actually a junction which went three ways! I tried moving around a little to see if I could work a composition which included it but it didn't balance well.

I absolutely agree about the somewhat washed out colours, and the comment about the overcase weather is a good point - the sun wasn't shining at that moment, as it had been for most of the trip - I guess it was such a relief on the temperature front I didn't stop to think about the impact on the colour and lights in my picture.

I took it on autofocus, focusing on the cows, mainly because that usually gives a good range of focus when not too close to the object and also because I literally leapt out of the car and took a few shots really fast - the car was blocking the road completely and, although no one was coming, we wanted to get off the narrow road (with water on either side) before we met someone coming the opposite direction!

I also agree, I'd like the cows to be a little closer, preferably in the centre of that triangle area.

I really appreciate the comments, thanks to both of you.

Hand on my heart
by Kavey

Comment by OneSweetSin:
Fantastic photo, shows a lot of bravery on your part. I don't often look at photos here and think about how brave the person had to be to do that but in this case I think it shows outstanding courage on your part.

Looking at your score I can't understand why so low, the lighting is a little off but honestly it isn't all that bad, considering everything, such as the handheld camera...lol and I know with a DiMage that isn't all that easy to do with one hand, I do it all the time. I only see a small overexposed area along your side, and the shadow created by your arm appears a little grainy.

Your focus is very good and the angle you did this at works very well, makes it more than just a "boob shot." It really does say something about you, it says you are willing to be more than just a photographer you are willing to put yourself out there and do things that most only are willing to ask others to do.

This really does meet the challenge as you are showing a part of your soul for the artistic interuption of the challenge. I think you did a beautiful job and you should have scored higher. Now I am waiting to see what you do for the nude challenge =o)

Anna

Cow River
by Kavey

Comment by Sonifo:
Kavey, I hope you don't mind me giving you some tips on making this photo better.
Try moving over a bit to the left so you can get the whole creek. I think that might get you closer to the cows. Or maybe just cropping off the bottom part of the picture and zoom in on the cows more. I think the time of day was really bad here. The sky, water and cows seem to be washed out. Try early morning or late afternoon. Sepia would have worked too for this shot.

Cow River
by Kavey

Comment by OneSweetSin:
Neat shot Kavey. The steam creates some really strong leading lines but there is a small problem with those line in this photo, just as it makes the turn it makes you feel like you are missing something on that point of the stream and then as you follow it further you see the cows but it keeps going and when I look at it I feel like there should be a cow at the very end of the line as you follow it. But I know you can't do anything about that

Now that I am done telling you what I don't like about it I think overall it has a very good dof used the lighting as natural as it is, works very well, I'm guessing you took it on an overcast day as there is no shadowing cast by the cows.

From one dimage 7i user to another, did you shoot it using manual focus set on infinity? I'm asking this cause everything seems to be in relatively good focus.

As I read the comments left behind I can't help but notice everyone says about the cows being to far away, truthfully they aren't that far away, but the title makes you think they are your main subject...without the title you don't notice that they are so far away. It is a really nice pasture photo and does meet the country challenge.

Anna

Cow River
by Kavey

Comment by jillz:
the line of the stream to the left side is good, but the cropping in that area is distracting.