Nip and Tuck
by OneSweetSin

Comment by lockjawdavis:
Very nice. Lots to hold my interest here. Nice richness to the B & W, too.

On the Corner of 13th Avenue
by OneSweetSin

Comment by Konador:
Critique Club:

Hi. There are some things I really like about this photo, and then there are some things which I think could be better. First of all, I really like the black and white areas. The contrasts and detail looks good in B&W. I'm still wondering why you left some parts in colour? Is it because the diner is 70 years old, so thats B&W, and the colour things are newer? I'm not sure, but I don't really think the colour areas are very effective, and could possibly detract from a nice overall B&W photo.

The sky in this is very blown out, and just completly white. As this challenge was open editing, I think using a shorter shutter speed would have helped. This would allow you to get some detail in the sky, and if the buildings were too dark you could select them and edit them separately. You could then also burn the sky a bit to get some detail in there. I find sometimes adding a little grain can help make a sky more interesting, even if some people complain about it being noisey :)

The snow piled up around the diner looks really good. I think I would have been tempted to crop a little closer so more detail can be seen, and less of the not-si-interesting surroundings. I think that would also focus peoples attention more to the corner, which is what your title is doing.

Overall, nice conditions in a nice area make this a good photo, which could be improved by a little different editing, and moving in closer.

Nip and Tuck
by OneSweetSin

Comment by LoudDog:
I don't get the title or how it fits in the point of view challenge but I do like the shot.

Nip and Tuck
by OneSweetSin

Comment by Konador:
I don't really understand how this photo relates to the challenge

I Will Get Him Lessons!
by OneSweetSin

Comment by Harz_Joerg:
Greetings from the Critique Club

Initial thoughts/My opinion
I like the play with size: what a huge guitar for the boy. Also like his expression, made me smile and think of our kids. It's way too dark for me and the title is less inspiring then the image itself.

Content/Composition
For this challenge image and title have to go more hand in hand then for other challenges, because a resolution can be a whole story. While getting your son some guitar lessons, a title like "This year I will become a star" would probably worked better. Such a title would draw the viewer into the image and think about the dreams of the boy and maybe the own dreams as a youngster. Your title made me and probably others "step" outside the image and thing about a parent who has duties and work to do. Often not so pleasant.
The composition itself is well made: placing the guitar along the diagonal is a good choice and the boy's placement follows the rule of third. Also that he wears a black shirt is fine: makes the hand and face stand out more. Black trousers might have been great.
The way you set the light is my main problem I do have with the image: it looks like it is an image taken with flash, judged by the strong reflection at the lower portion of the guitar. Thus the strongly reflecting guitar body is overexposed were as the rest is way to dark, even the face. Some softer light, probably from the side would have been much better.
I like the black background though and B&W was probably a good choice (depends a little on the colour of the guitar).

Camera work -technically
The focus seems to be a little soft, but not too much. Exposure: see above.

Digital Processing - Technical
Could need some more sharpening. Regarding a better balancing between the dark and bright parts there is actually not too much that can be done digitally without breaking the rules.
A border might have been nice.

Fits the challenge
Yes it does.

Good luck for your further submissions

I Will Get Him Lessons!
by OneSweetSin

Comment by HBunch:
The lighting confuses me. It's really dark on the subject, but there is a bright reflection on the bottom area of the guitar. I wish the lighting were brighter on the boy and guitar, but not with bright areas. If that makes sense. The background is good. Nothing distracting there. Good idea for the challenge, just wish it weren't so dark. ~Heather~

I Will Get Him Lessons!
by OneSweetSin

Comment by TerrieP:
Funny title. I like the photo in black and white. Nice darkness to the background and color on the guitar.

On the Corner of 13th Avenue
by OneSweetSin

Comment by lockjawdavis:
Not usually a fan of spot color, but it's not bad here. Looks like one of those gray days where almost nothing pops.

I Will Get Him Lessons!
by OneSweetSin

Comment by dtouch1:
good thing its not the drums

On the Corner of 13th Avenue
by OneSweetSin

Comment by wwjdwithca:
2nd best city shot. I like the b&w and color splash. 8.