Napoli-Via Santa Lucia
by Rino63

Comment by Gatorguy:
Hi, Critique Club here...

Congratulations on a nice image. I really like it. I think the exposure is great and I love the low angle you chose. I think the fisheye distortion adds interest to the image as well as the taillight trails. The pattern in the cobblestones is also interesting to look at.

I'm not keen (as others have said) on the distorted pole on the left, it's a very powerful element that some will love, and some will hate. I think the difference in contrast and brightness tends to pull the eye away from looking deeper into the image. The leading lines down the street are great, just can't overcome the pole. My opinion is that the pole is what prevented this from being a 6.6 or better.

If I voted in this challenge I would have scored this a 7. I do not think this deserved the one or two votes it got.

I hope this is helpful.

Sunset tree
by Rino63

Comment by moosh:
I don't know why I like this. It isn't that it shows hot per se but the tree is beautiful and different than anything I have seen.

Sunset tree
by Rino63

Comment by Luci11e:
very beautiful shot but give me more of a peaceful feeling than a feeling of hot

Sunset tree
by Rino63

Comment by sekarmalathy:
Nice silhouette.

My prefered piece
by Rino63

Comment by stanmoore:
Cool idea...

After a stormy night
by Rino63

Comment by Jutilda:
HDR? FUN STUFF. Love the colors.

My prefered piece
by Rino63

Comment by sarampo:
Ken, your foot fetish is noticeable here :)

After a stormy night
by Rino63

Comment by mycelium:
cool pic, nice wide-angle shot with plenty of detail, but the HDR makes me go AHHHH!!!!

Thoughts
by Rino63

Comment by sarampo:
Hello Gennaro, greetings from the Critique Club!

First impressions:
Your shot is very strong. It directs the viewers attention to the small details, and makes one try to look harder for the OOF areas, as to see more.

Focus
The focus is spot on. I still can't figure out how you got so shallow DOF with f/5.6, but it is very well accomplished. The focusing on the rim of the glasses and on the mouth is very good, and the smooth transition for the back of the head is very well done.

Processing
I like the conversion to B&W, although you did miss a few spots, on the forehead and on the hair, and that made it a point of distraction. Anyway, the contrast is very good, and the detail is amazing.

Overall it's a very good portrait, that could be improved by some careful processing, to even out the colour cast.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Joao

My prefered piece
by Rino63

Comment by macwilyum:
great creativity, perfect focus