The Feeling of Success
by swallace

Comment by kari1:

::: Critique Club :::

Hi, my name is Kari and from the critique club.

First Impression - the most important one:
You got the cute vote .. I can tell by the comments. This is sooooooo cute it ain't funny.

Composition:
is a lovely shot but very centred ... which is a minor for this shot.

Subject:
meets the challenge and does so in a cute and fuzzy way.

Technical (Colour and light):
i really like this ...it is reasonbly dark which has been picked up by some commentors, but I don't see this detracting from the natural shot.

To grow its vote?:
Take it from another angle .. front on capture the look from the eyes ... hehehe (I think you did well with a nature shot)

Summary:
Great work ... fantastic capture.

If you've got any questions about this critique, please feel free to contact me via
the PM system.

Cheers

Kari

Barn Window
by swallace

Comment by Artyste:
Greetings from the Critique Club. My critiques are generally geared towards trying to help you improve your score within DPC, and not on any true "artistic" merit of the photograph itself, unless it relates to DPC voters and scoring. Please keep that in mind as you read this.

Initial Thoughts
A good shot, but not so much on the choice of sepia, for me.

Composition/Content
Very nice compositionally. The criss-crossing window pane works very well (although the slight off-plane is a bit distracting). I like where you are positioned, but could have worked with you being a little higher as well.

Background
Nice shallow DOF, no distracting elements. A little noisy, which probably hurt you slightly with voters.

Camera Work/Technical
Exposure of some highlights are a little blown. Whether this is in post-processing or not, I don't know, but it is especially noticeable on your cheek, under your left eye. (viewers right). Distracting to me. A little healing brush, or low-opacity burning could have helped that. It's about my only real critical mark.

Digital Processing
Now, this is purely my own taste, but the sepia toning you've used here doesn't really help the photo, I feel. It's just a little too light and yellow, and speaks of photos from old, old newspapers.. yet you have more of a modern look to yourself which would have been better served, IMO, with a deeper sepia. Something suggestive of warmth and a more modern look. Yes, I know that your score suggests that people liked it this way, but for me it just doesn't work, clashes just a little too much. Also, it lacks a touch of contrast to really bring out the blacks and give the image a touch more punch.

Fits the Challenge
Unless it's not you, it fits.

My Opinion of the Photo
I suppose I should have left what I said in processing for here, but it stands both ways. I honestly do believe with a different sepia look, you could have been staring at a high 6. As it is, you have a score anyone would be proud of.. so you did something right regardless of my own tastes. A well done photo, and good luck on future challenges.

Message edited by author 2006-06-01 01:29:23.

Barn Window
by swallace

Comment by princess_pilot:
wow...what a nice pic is all I can say. I am not a professional but I know a good pic when I see one.

The Feeling of Success
by swallace

Comment by loseme:
Amazing capture, great timing!

Barn Window
by swallace

Comment by pidge:
I really liked this one. Under rated IMHO

The Feeling of Success
by swallace

Comment by gala:
That so cute, that its true sucess for this little duckie to swin

The Feeling of Success
by swallace

Comment by ihartnv9000:
ahhh. cuuute! <3

The Feeling of Success
by swallace

Comment by jerryc12:
Perfect!

The Feeling of Success
by swallace

Comment by danthesquidkid:
i like!!!!

The Feeling of Success
by swallace

Comment by Breeee123:
Adorable! I love this one. Although I think lightening it up would help it out - check out the levels in photoshop - seems to be leaning pretty heavily to the left.