Home Safe from Iraq
by smellyfish1002

Comment by justine:
Oh wow that is special. Congrats and please thank him for me and my family. We really admire all the brave military folks. Awesome.

Home Safe from Iraq
by smellyfish1002

Comment by neenee1999:
Great shot, great lighting, you captured the expressions here perfectly 10

Worship comes from the heart... Church building is optional!
by smellyfish1002

Comment by vtruan:
Critique Club review:

Hi JD,

First I really like the shot and as you said, sacred can be anywhere, anytime. So the photo meets the challenge well.

I like the use of a model church on a beautifully grained oak alter/desk/table. The placement and side lighting work very well. The wood grains lead the eye to the church very well. The gray and shadows of the church and overall contrasts are perfectly done.

I have no negative thoughts or ideas on how I would change this shot and you should be proud of this photo, it is excellent.

Van

Worship comes from the heart... Church building is optional!
by smellyfish1002

Comment by Shannon:
Like the title and the idea behind the shot, I'm not sure if I care for the table where the church is sitting but still an overall nice shot. 7

Worship comes from the heart... Church building is optional!
by smellyfish1002

Comment by Neuferland:
How true! This is why I didn't enter the sacred challenge, it's not just about the church. The idea behind this shot is very well thought out and I love the title. But the darkness on the one side is a bit too much for me. I like the shadow it throws but not the complete darkness on the left and across the top. I started with a 6 but am raising it to a 7

Worship comes from the heart... Church building is optional!
by smellyfish1002

Comment by emorgan49:
This study of light and shodow is so well done that it seems a shame you put it on a wood grain background. The wood is distracting, the wrong color and, in particular, obscures the shape of the cross on the curch. If you had shot this on a plain backbround I'm sure it would have placed in the top 20. Worth reshooting for your personal portfolio! giving a 6, wishing I could have given a 9 or 10.

Worship comes from the heart... Church building is optional!
by smellyfish1002

Comment by KevinRiggs:
left side of building is in deep shadow and can only be distinguished by viewing light through the openings. The grain in the wood also throws me off because of its enormous size in comparison with the subject. I think this might have been more provocative to me had the woodgrain been covered with some consistent medium like a sheet.

Worship comes from the heart... Church building is optional!
by smellyfish1002

Comment by A Weaver:
This Photo has very good lighting. I like the shadows very much as well. And your meaning of the photo fits very well.

Worship comes from the heart... Church building is optional!
by smellyfish1002

Comment by e301:
Almost wonderful - I really think you could have crowded this less with your cropping - show all of the shadow perhaps, or more of the area of light in which it stands. Effective work though.

Not So Scary Monster
by smellyfish1002

Comment by Everyday Renee:
Congrats on placing first!! I love this image and what makes it special to me is your son's eyes. He has beautiful eyes...and you captured it beautifully! Great photography, JD -- I just love your work!