A Spoonful of Sugar
by LadeeM

Comment by JoelHSmith:
Nice photo. It is a bit oversharpened (you can see it around the spoon, it made a white hallow) I won't count off for that.

Half Conceals, Half Discloses
by LadeeM

Comment by LadeeM:
Thanks for the help. It's discouraging to get a low score, and I really wish people would give me advise (like graphicfunk), instead of just telling me "not interesting". What PART is not interesting? Thanks alot for the comments, guys! :)

A Spoonful of Sugar
by LadeeM

Comment by Xilebo:
The sugar looks too grey but the idea is good...maybe it would have turned out better in color!

Half Conceals, Half Discloses
by LadeeM

Comment by graphicfunk:
From the critique club:

Greetings:
This scene presented you with many possibilities. Here you have a very interesting sky as a backdrop. The first problem to resolve is finding an advantageous composition to bring strength to the silhoutte. The second item that needs attention is capturing the sky so that it will proudly display our subject. You shot this at 1/400 4.5. Well, to give the sky its due and the image an immediate boost, we want to close the aperture to about at least f8. F11 is even better. However f8 then at 1/100. This will at once give you more definition requiring less sharpenning. Less sharpenning means less halo, note how it outlines the entire ground and up and down the pole etc. This increase in dof is sometimes put aside to favor the main subject and negate or blur the background. In this case, since the flag pole is a simple subject you need a deeper dof.

While the sky is nice it lacks definition and this is where the closer aperture will help.

The most important consideration is the composition. Confronted with such a subject here is what I do: I begin as you did and then place the pole on the far left. No need to do a far right because the wind is blowing in that direction and would take the eye out of the picture because the flag will be waving against the edge. I then would proceed to close in on the pole and do several takes. Then I look at my proofs and slowly decide the best unless one particular image wins me at once.

Now, once the image is captured and ready we enter post processing. Since my flagpole and flag are silhoutted, the weight or stength of the image will rest on the sky. This means I favor the sky for all adjustments. I want enough contrast to bring out its beauty.

You are on the right track for you are searching. My advise is that when you see an interesting possibility for a picture is to pause and try to visualize the best possible arrangement. If at first you are unable to visualize then think about the image and then use your viewfinder and keep moving yourself closer or further until you see something that resembles what it is you are after, or something that appeals to you. Always do many takes and keep changing your viewpoint.

The image as is invites the eyes but then it does not reward it. The central placement creates an immediate discharge of tension and then the sky, while appearing to be interesting, remains rather flat and non descript. Yet, there is an image here to be had. Keep at it, it will all come to you as you persevere.

Message edited by author 2005-05-25 23:35:25.

Amanda
by LadeeM

Comment by grandmarginal:
Nice shot, I like the tones. Having an upside-down model is always tricky in composition I find yet it works pretty good here.

Amanda
by LadeeM

Comment by rayg544:
This is a very nice photo. It has the "kids will be kids" effect to it. I don't think I'd change a thing - great job!

Half Conceals, Half Discloses
by LadeeM

Comment by love:
I gave you a 5 but that was pushing it for me...I think this needs to be off-center or something other than dead center...I hope this helps.

Can I come in?
by LadeeM

Comment by amber:
Hello from the Critique Club!

The image shows an inquisitive child who wants to be part of what’s going on inside. I want to know what’s going on inside! Her hands suggest an ‘ I shouldn’t be looking in’ and at the same time a pleading to be let in. It evokes in me memories of when I wanted to be with my father when he was busy with his friends.

My eyes are drawn directly to the child̢۪s eyes and refuse to move. So it is fitting that her eyes lie at the near centre of the image. The image is all about those eyes and the pleading in them. Along with this pleading is that faraway look that children often get; when they seem to be in a world of their own, burdened by thoughts that they are too young to have, reminding of us our own childhood hopes and fears.

The diagonal line is good composition and the eyes being centred does work for me.

The top, light, diagonal is well balanced by the darker, bottom, diagonal, and symbolically the girl is looking at something that is in the dark and out of reach.

Again symbolically, the girl is in the diagonal with young, fresh green grass. She looks into a darker area that has peeling paint, representing something old, tired and worn.

Perhaps a tilt of the camera to make the diagonal go from corner to corner would have created even more impact? The band of condensation (?) across the bottom of the glass has created a visible line and softened the eyes unnecessarily, but I guess that was invisible until the image was on screen?

Still, a lovely image that evokes many feelings.

Message edited by author 2005-05-22 20:41:44.

Half Conceals, Half Discloses
by LadeeM

Comment by Koriyama:
Although I like the simple square composition and the border, the overall effect is a little bland for me. 4

Half Conceals, Half Discloses
by LadeeM

Comment by CEJ:
I looked and looked at this shot. it definitely catches your attention. But somehow seems to be lacking something. Not sure what it is though.