Whipped Cream & Honey
by KOKOCAT

Comment by pacpinto:
Ugh!

Whipped Cream & Honey
by KOKOCAT

Comment by Caltrop:
I see what you were trying to accomplish but the camera in the picture just doesn't do it for me.

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by SJCarter:
* Greetings from Critique Club *

First let me say that I think this met the Tools of the Trade Challenge quite well. It's a great idea and certainly exemplifies 'tools'.

Composition
I think your composition is very strong. Personally, I like the angle of the shot and the lines of the arms take you right into the main part of the photograph. The stone carving is also interesting. Nice work.

Lighting
I think this is what really hurt your score. The upper portion of the shot is completely blown out (on the gravel). It looks like this was probably taken during some harsh sunlight (some of the worst conditions to deal with). I'm also not sure how much of this you would be able to tone down with processing - at least you should be able to get a little more detail out of it and reduce some of the glare.

Color/DOF/Sharpness
I like the somewhat muted tones, but I also like the idea that someone else suggested about making this a b/w shot. It would be more reminicent of old blacksmithing days and add a sense of nostalgia. It might also help with the lighting issues (although I think that you would still need to work on that background as an independent layer and reduce the backlighting and adjust contrast, etc.). The DOF is fine and the sharpness is okay as well.

Overall
I think this could have been a very strong entry, but because of the blown out background it detracted too much from your main subject. With a little more work and some conscious effort next time to stay out of the mid-day sun, I think that you'll be happier with the results.

Just my 2 cents...

Jimmy

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by mandyturner:
the sunlight is too strong

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by macrothing:
7 - Met the Challenge. I really like the concept of this and the originality. Criticism; Although you get a 'first hand' perspective here with this angle, and it may be that it is most apt for the Challenge, I would like to see more of a front on angle showing what is being carved/etched/etc. There is too much 'arm' from this angle in my opinion. The top left gravel is too blown out and the lighting around the tone and tools is 'off'. I would like to see more detail in the work being carried out and perhaps even just the hands in the frame along with the 'material'. Perhaps even a b/w of this, not sure. Good originality and thinking to get this 'trade'.

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by sandabella:
Nice composition, shame about the top left being blown out

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by Canadian_eh:
wow, muscles... good picture

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by carlos:
it seems the pebbles on the ground are more in focus that the tool itself

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by Nullix:
The background is distracting.

Hammers On Stone
by KOKOCAT

Comment by mikala:
good idea, nice fit to challenge. too bad the rocks are so blown out in the upper left.