De Sousa's Swan Lake
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by mpeters:
Nicely done, as is the other one in this challenge.

Opening Day
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by hajeka:
Think there's nothing wrong with this photo, nice light and detail.

But bassbone made a point here. It's really hard to connect this to the challenge theme.

Opening Day
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by bassbone:
I like the concept here and it clearly fit the challenge description as I read it. I did not vote, but would have likely givein it a 5 or 6 tops. I think this image did not do better score-wise because I see the beginning of the NFL season as a regionally based theme. Non US voters really don't have a great connection to this sport and when it starts, and some may not even know what the ball is for!

Secondly, the lighting on your entry is a little harsh. An opening usually conveys happiness and joy and the stark lighting you chose makes it almost seem like it should be a closing. Placing the football on the grass on a football field or just outside around some fallen leaves with lots of good colors would convey opening much more.

De Sousa's Swan Lake
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by CNovack:
Nicely done emulation of De Sousa's Swan Lake! The thing that really plays with our imagination and captures our attention is the musical wake as the swan 'swims' past. I can't be sure if the sheet music you used is from Swan Lake but I certainly hope so for that would strengthen the composition. Lighting is good but could be better for the lighting drops off drastically on the far right hand side such that the music falls into shadow. Moving the light source a few more inches away could have still cast a spotlight while illuminating the whole of the sheet music. I would have liked the forground to be in sharper focus/detail. Utilizing an aperture of 7.1 or even higher along with low ISO 50-100 and slower shutter speed (1/8 to 1/50) will greatly increase image detail along with increasing the sharpness of your Depth of Field. Lastly, I think bringing the viewer a bit more closer to the music & the paper swan would increase visual impact for you will show us more - here you have too much of the sheet music visible that we see the far right edge of the sheet and the black background beyond. Sometimes less is more, bring us closer to your main subject and let it shine.

Day 01
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by digitalpins:
Awesome photo I love the different range of tones and the sunbeams from behind the cloud are great.

De Sousa's Swan Lake
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by yanko:
It looks a little sloppy compared to the original, which had strong crisp lines but otherwise a good attempt.

Day 17
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by trevytrev:
funny portrait, great expression. How cold is it where you are?

De Sousa's Swan Lake
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by VitaminB:
Very good remake. Only critique is that the notes are upside down.

De Sousa's Swan Lake
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by elizadeb:
Very nice remake of the original!

Opening Day
by Dirt_Diver

Comment by klkitchens:
Don't see something in the process of opening.