CLOUDY SIDE OF THE MOON
by LaSofi

Comment by AzCKelly:
Nice capture. Love the detail in all the other clouds as well.

CLOUDY SIDE OF THE MOON
by LaSofi

Comment by Tammer:
For me, your photo is coming across grainy...but then again that may have been your intention. Had there been more in focus I wold have scored it better.

CLOUDY SIDE OF THE MOON
by LaSofi

Comment by livitup:
Meets the challenge rules well. The color is nice. Everything about this photo is nice.

What would make it exceptional? Focus and sharpness. The exceptional photos in this challenge all have a single visual element in stark, sharp focus. This photo is missing that and leaves the viewer hunting for "Waldo," that thing you know must be there, but you just can't find.

CLOUDY SIDE OF THE MOON
by LaSofi

Comment by Elaine:
I like this shot, but I personally would have cropped so the moon was at a 1/3 intersection.

CLOUDY SIDE OF THE MOON
by LaSofi

Comment by Riponlady:
love the clouds, light from moon interesting,well shot

CLOUDY SIDE OF THE MOON
by LaSofi

Comment by KarenNfld:
Out of focus

CLOUDY SIDE OF THE MOON
by LaSofi

Comment by HVGB_photos:
The center of interest in this photo is the moon and the way it's cropped does not demonstrate the rule of thirds.

My Childhood Shoes
by LaSofi

Comment by Artyste:
Hello, and greetings from the Critique Club. You asked, we delivered. Tell your friends.

Initial Thoughts

Striking, and cute, but something's missing..

Composition / Content

You have the right idea here, but for me, you've come in too close. Cutting off your subject in the frame is seldom a good idea unless there's a distinctive reason for it, and I personally don't see one here. Having more space below the toe of the left shoe, and showing more of the string/laces holding them up would have given the shot a lot more dynamic. Instead, it feels a touch crowded. The content is wonderful, very nostalgic, but the composition suffers.

Background

For me, your lighting is wrong. The light part would serve the photo much better if it was centered more, allowing light fall-off on either side of the shoes. This would work very well following the compositional suggestions I gave as well, and would have framed them beautifully. It also would have helped with the slight blowouts on the right side of the right shoe. That string/lace/whatever hanging down below the left shoe needs to go too. It's a superfluous element that only serves to distract. Be careful and observant while shooting to notice the little details like that.

Camera Work / Technical

To me, the use of a large aperature here has possibly given you too shallow a DOF for your subject, especially in as close as you are (unless you cropped a lot). Your focus has suffered because of this and isn't as crisp as it could be throughout. Your exposure is pretty good, however, especially for a sepia tone, although you do have some rather strong shadows. A simple secondary light (diffused or just low powered) or a reflector, would have helped that.

Digital Processing

Sepia is a great choice for this image, as it helps with the nostalgic feel you seem to have been going for. I also think this image could have benefitted from a little more sharpening work. I'd suggest using USM at 254%/0.3/0 and tweaking it from there.

Fits the Challenge

No arguement here.

My Opinion of the Photo

This has all the makings of a very wonderful photo, and is a great attempt. I do like it for what it is, but also see the potential of what it could have been. A nice take on the challenge, and good luck in the future.

My Childhood Shoes
by LaSofi

Comment by mininurse61832:
Is this sepia tone? shadow takes away from photo.

My Childhood Shoes
by LaSofi

Comment by kama0529:
I love the sepia tones on this shot