Before heading to work, I need my java.
by ladpupmoe

Comment by lindsay:
As far as the picture goes, it's a cute idea! The one thing that struck me is that you can't tell where the java is from. And... in order to sell it... you'd probably want the coffee shop name showing. I'm torn as to whether I like the car there, since he's on his way to work, or don't like it because it's a very limited view of it and somewhat distracting. Your dog is adorable... hehe. Good luck in the challenge!!

Before heading to work, I need my java.
by ladpupmoe

Comment by TechnoShroom:
Assuming the advertisement it to sell coffee the label of the coffee cup should be prominent and facing forward. Working like a dog is a great idea though.

"Purple Rain"
by ladpupmoe

Comment by Rooster:
looks natural not manufactured raindrops. I like this. dunno about the composition but great dof. maybe i would have cropped in a bit to cut out the leaf on the top left corner. perhaps cloned it out even. ergradless nice original shot in the bunch. sure it has potential to win a ribbon. good luck!

"Purple Rain"
by ladpupmoe

Comment by menardmam:
seem more magenta that purple, but the light, subject and detail is perfect a9

"Purple Rain"
by ladpupmoe

Comment by Bran-O-Rama:
Nice DOF and composition. I'm wondering if the leaf at the top and top left were cropped out, would it make the composition stronger?

I think the image would look too plain without it but feel there would need to be more leaf if they are going to remain and be much more deliberate.

"Purple Rain"
by ladpupmoe

Comment by carlacryptic:
Love it - 7

. . . Ladybug
by ladpupmoe

Comment by jadin:
Greetings from the Critque Club!

Composition:
I love this composition. It's a shiny little ladybug for sure! I think if you had shown more of what's around it though, the selective desaturation would've had more impact. As it is, the ladybug is the foreground, and desaturating doesn't change that fact. I wrote a post on choosing the right photo for selective desaturation, might be good for you to look over it.

Lighting:
The lighting in this photo is gorgeous. Specifically the reflection on the bug. Your exposure is spot on, no worries there.

Technical:
Someone said the ladybug is a little soft on the focus, and I can see their point, but I wouldn't say it's out by a lot.

Post-processing:
This is where your photo needs the most work. First of all there is still color in the entire photo. There is a greenish tint to all the plant material. I would've liked to see you just select the bug, and do a full desaturate. Since now you removed other colors from the bug that help define it's actual color. I'm not sure if you just forgot the green channel or what...

Overall:
This is a very cool macro bug shot. You just need to work on your desaturation technique.

Hope you do better next time.

1860's in technicolor
by ladpupmoe

Comment by David.C:
Lighting: The lighting if generally fine, but the dress appears a bit hot in places. The soft focus is over-done I think.
Pose: too stiff and rigid.
Background: Works. I don' t normally pay any more attention to a border than I do titles, but this one does not work for me.

1860's in technicolor
by ladpupmoe

Comment by TooCool:
I can't tell if this is a modern portrait made to look old, or a snap of an old portrait. If it's the first, you did a dang good job of it. I don't personally care for the effect, but it IS well done. You got the framing down pat for an old school portrait, that's for sure. Placing the lady right up against the frame and putting the cat at the very bottom makes this feel un-ballanced and gives it a raw feeling also very reminiscent of shots from the early days of photography.
TC

1860's in technicolor
by ladpupmoe

Comment by GeneralE:
I like the overall effect, good job conveying an "old-timey" look ... the "distressed" border is a good idea but maybe just a little too much; I'd like to compare with a version with a less aggressive application of the effect.