Rhythm In Nature's Patterns
by J-Me

Comment by magnus:
Great color contrast and lighting, but the texture of the bark looks odd, neat-imaged?

untitled
by J-Me

Comment by littlegett:
I enjoy the idea/concept here, however for me the elements that distract include:
Over smoothing,
Missing tip of the knife
Unrealistic blood
blown out whites
For some reason the blood looks like it is in globs, for me it doesn't look like a splatter, but maybe something that was added in post. The tip of the knife is what makes a good knife. If your idea was to have it in the picture, I would suggest making deep gashes in the picture, as it is now, the tip is missing.
I think images like these, darker, scream to be gritty, grudgey, dark, the smoothness just really makes everything seem flat and staged.

untitled
by J-Me

Comment by jdannels:
Its an interesting photo and in a photo like this its all in the details. For me I assume the photo was a gift, but the photo seems pretty formal and more of a headshot which makes me think maybe the the person on the other end got sick of their vanity. To me the blood seem to placed, if they had stabbed the person there wold be more than just a few drops and splatters on the end of the knife. For a set up like this I like to see it over the top. The lighting you used is really well done and the shadows are really soft and I like that there is no glare on the photo.

untitled
by J-Me

Comment by JasonMoore:
well done

Please Don't Leave Me
by J-Me

Comment by colorcarnival:
I'm surprised that this finished below 5. And it definitely does not deserve the 1's, 2's and 3's. I love the expression and that she is looking to the side. As if keeping an eye on something. Beautiful earthy color tones in the pic. Sweet face!

Oh and as far as shooting for above 6.0, 68 people agreed. You get an 11+ from me hehe.

untitled
by J-Me

Comment by Chucker:
A sad (or macabre--depending on ones viewpoint)situation beautifully executed (no pun intended)in this shot. There's a face, but he's not the subject of the extreme emotion!

untitled
by J-Me

Comment by Scapeshots:
i think the blood looks a little too much like paint...

untitled
by J-Me

Comment by beatlesfan:
The blood is too obviously fake (too bright).

Please Don't Leave Me
by J-Me

Comment by gippoPD:
I agree !!!

Rhythm In Nature's Patterns
by J-Me

Comment by violinist123:
I imagine you are taking a beating on this one. Tree bark could work for this challenge. Perhaps losing the blownout portion on the right of the shot would better focus attention on the patterns in your subject. Also, the subject itself needs to be in good focus without a heavy reliance on unsharp. Further, I think you could really increase the impact (and thus the 'wow' factor) by presenting this in black and white. It might make the most out of the paterns/rhythm in the bark by highlighting the contrasts of light and shapes contained within.