big brotherby
mdfphotosComment by strangeghost: Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost
The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.
TECHNIQUE
Technically adequate. Focus is good, exposure looks to be right on, lighting is soft and seems diffuse. Colors are OK but could maybe be a little more vibrant. Overall, no complaints at all technically.
COMPOSITION
Very cute kids, but I think the image loses punch because of the candid nature. Their hair is messy, her shirt is dirty, and most of all, their averted gaze steals the punch it might have had if they were both looking into the camera and smiling. As shot, it looks like a quick snapshot in the family room and little more. Does it convey the nature of the challenge? Yes, but the "comfort" idea is not topmost on my mind as I look at it. It looks like a shot that might be mailed to the grandparents - of family interest first and foremost.
EMOTIONAL IMPACT
For the parents and loved ones, this photo would clearly have a significant amount of emotional impact. Two adorable kids arm in arm is hard to resist. Unfortunately, your photo does not transcend the family effect, IMO. To accomplish that, I think it needed more specific planning and preparation in the composition stage. As it is, it's a fine snap for a family album or the refrigerator, but probably doesn't resonate well with the DPC voter species.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Your lack of a photographer's comment is frustrating since it leaves me with no context in which to interpret your motivation or intent. When you ask for a CC member to take the time to critique your photo, please take the time
yourself to provide some of your thoughts to let us know what led up to this shot, and what your intent was. Even if it's just to say "last minute entry" or whatever, it helps! The fact that you received only three comments and a relatively low score indicates that the voters were not impressed and probably didn't spend long looking at your image before moving on.
Photographer found comment helpful.
