View of success
by dippydaz

Comment by chrisgoddard:
very nice contrast between the blue sky and the pool. It seems like the blue chairs ties it all in together. Is this depicting success as having your own remote beach and pool?

View of success
by dippydaz

Comment by JuliBoc:
Terrific shot and perfect for the challenge. As a post challenge improvement, I would remove the white tower in the center and the white sign on the left.

The winning hand
by dippydaz

Comment by karmat:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

Compositionally, you have a very strong image -- it is well balanced and allows the eyes to "go" from the cards to the chips and back.

Technically, you exhibit great focus and exposure and the shallow dof works very, very well here.

Ordinarily, selective desaturation does not "work" for me, but it seems okay here. It doesn't jump out at you and scream "selective" but it does seem to make the red parts stand out nicely. I tried to imagine if it would be better in straight bw or color, but I think this probably works best.

The only nit I have, and it has nothing to do with the picture is the red border. Because red is so bold and screams for attention, my eyes are automatically drawn away from the picture to the border. Not sure if that is the effect you wanted or not.

Great shot and excellent interpretation of the challenge.

Karma

Harris Hawk
by dippydaz

Comment by lglawrence:
Love it!!

Harris Hawk
by dippydaz

Comment by riversong:
Cool bird.

The winning hand
by dippydaz

Comment by Donna21:
You finished 21st - if it was Blackjack instead of Poker would that mean you won? LOL

I love the selective desat

Harris Hawk
by dippydaz

Comment by surfdabbler:
The selective colour is a bit full-on for me - particularly the feet. You could consider either leaving some colour in the bg, or desaturating some of the fg. Nice dramatic bird posing.

Harris Hawk
by dippydaz

Comment by Jason_Cross:
I like the selective desat.

Harris Hawk
by dippydaz

Comment by sulamk:
looks like he escapedfrom a cartoon.

The winning hand
by dippydaz

Comment by Jessicaaa:
21st? I thought it was one of the best in this challenge..