Chomp
by snaffles

Comment by markwiley:
Some fascinating textures.

Candid at 420mm
by snaffles

Comment by Kroburg:
Wow, crisp and sharp. Thanks for sharing!

Chomp
by snaffles

Comment by mariuca:
I cover the title for it takes my mind from the scenario that popped into my mind. To me is more like the painful scratching of days of a prisoner
An interesting shot

Leaf bones
by snaffles

Comment by primabarbara:
I was another 7. I liked the really special colours right away - now that I know that it was fire is makes perfectly sense... it was like a mystery before

Leaf bones
by snaffles

Comment by markwiley:
I found the image interesting. I was one of your 7's.

Leaf bones
by snaffles

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the Critique club

An interesting image that meets the challenge well

I must confess that I am not at all keen on the use of many of those 'artistic' filters but given the nature of this challenge its perfectly understandable and acceptable in this context. I felt the need to make this confession because what you have produced is more appealing than I would normally have expected though it does seem a shame to have replaced those presumably gorgeous colours with these blues. I think the red of the flames and the intensity of those flames works very well especially in contrast against those blues.

The close cropped composition works well, although the subject is very obvious there is a near abstract quality to it that adds additional interest and appeal.

I commend your intention of 'going against all the predictably pretty images' and coming up with something very original.

The night Aunt Judy was chased home by a spook
by snaffles

Comment by Lydia:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

This is such a fun image, Susan!

I love the way you've composed the scene... I really feel like the horse and rider are coming right toward me.

I don't understand why the trees are tilted, but it does add "creepiness factor". Ha!

I think the score is lower than expected because the blending and lighting could use some work. It seems that the scene is moonlit... yet the horse's hair is lit by daylight.

A bit of cloning some of the background at light opacity onto the legs' edges would make him fit into the scene better.

I love the details you've added, like the red eyes, but wish the graininess of Judy matched with the clarity of the "spook".

Overall, I like it... just needs a bit of tweaking to score higher.

Not a Diva
by snaffles

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the Critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge

This is a very accomplished pet portrait, everything that needs to be is nicely sharp against a suitably soft background. The lighting is good and even and brings out all the important details in her. I find the colours and textures in her eyes a little disconcerting, they feel a little spooky. When I compare the two sides of the image the left feels a little washed out, I would love to be able to see those whiskers more, as clearly as I can on the right, and the pinks too. I also find my eye keeps getting drawn to that long hair in the right ear, I think it would benefit from being cloned out.

This is one you can treasure for the future and it's good to see your lovely image has gained a respectable score from the voters here, well done Susan.

Leaf bones
by snaffles

Comment by npasel:
I like this effect.

Not a Diva
by snaffles

Comment by pixelpig:
Big, black pupils.