Blot on the Landscape
by paynekj

Comment by DougPaz:
I was wondering if someone would do something like this. I really like it, you did an excellent job of keeping the industry in the background and yet actually being the focal point of the shot. Great work!

Blot on the Landscape
by paynekj

Comment by myqyl:
A landscape with a message! Amber waves of Grime... Technically well done as well. The tree's position in contrast to the smoke stack on the left is very well done... They should cut down that tree though... Ron Reagan says they cause pollution :)

Blot on the Landscape
by paynekj

Comment by Lustre:
It's an interesting contrast, especially with the background being hazy. Focus and lighting of the tree is very good and I think you have made your point. Well done.

Blot on the Landscape
by paynekj

Comment by alanfreed:
I like the shot a lot overall... I may have tried to position the tree in between the smoke stacks a little bit so they're not overlapping.

Silent All These Years - Tori Amos
by paynekj

Comment by Davenit:
Kevin, greeting from the critique club.

You picked a strong impactful song title. Hard to pull off though. I get the silent part, but what is indicating a period of time? I asked this question about a bunch of images this week. One part would be represented but the other wouldn't.

I like the highlights in the eyes and the half and half lighting on the face and the converse lighting theme on the background wall. I don't like the wallpaper in this shot. I think a white BG might have made the subject stand out better. A few too many dark tones present. A white BG might have made the subject pop.

The last thing I might suggest is some sort of a facial expression. Being uncomfortably silent would suggest some pent up rage, so maybe and expression of wanting to break out? Just a thought.

Nice try. Tough image to attempt. If you have any comments or questions drop me a line. I would be happy to hear from you...

Dave Nitsche

Blot on the Landscape
by paynekj

Comment by FranziskaLang:
kind of meets the challenge. i would personally have preferred more landscape with maybe a single building, but i can see where you are coming from. i like how the tree and the foreground are in much more intense colors whereas the factories and the smoke are somewhat muted in the background. positioning of the tree in the shot is nice. overall a good photo :)

Blot on the Landscape
by paynekj

Comment by justine:
I like it. Neat shot. Neat colors, and cool composition.

Blot on the Landscape
by paynekj

Comment by kiwiness:
Wow, nice contrast.

Silent All These Years - Tori Amos
by paynekj

Comment by Anachronite:
great idea. could use a little sharper focus and a tighter crop on the left and right

Silent All These Years - Tori Amos
by paynekj

Comment by joshua:
this looks like a picture of a pow and is really disturbing