Morning ritual with cream.
by smardaz

Comment by Jutilda:
I like the light. Nice simplicity. Not many still lifes, eh?

Quiet Reflections at Snoqualmie Pass
by smardaz

Comment by jonfrommk:
I cannot believe that this did not give you your first six months ago!!!

An absolutely magnificent shot. The reflection is superb, the colours are wonderful. Great application of rule of thirds and the border works well

I hope this is hanging in your house

Quiet Reflections at Snoqualmie Pass
by smardaz

Comment by levyj413:
Yep, I don't get it, either. Would've pegged this a good half-point higher.

14.....Beginning of the End of My Little Girl.
by smardaz

Comment by geoffb:
Hi from the Critique Club,

Jason, congratulations on your personal best and top 15 finish! It's really evident here that you've learned from your previous entries, and will continue to improve in the future.

The fact that you only have 4 votes under five clearly shows that your image has universal appeal. Your focus is bang-on in exactly the right place, and despite not having any lighting equipment you were able to light the scene well and create appealing catch lights in the eyes. As was already said, you've captured an expression that could evoke any of a thousand emotions.

For the most part, the shadows are good in this image. There was a second light acting partially as a fill light, which creates a distracting secondary "moustache" shadow under the nose. As well, the eyes (especially her right eye) appear a bit over processed. These are both fairly trivial complaints, as you have created an excellent image with few flaws.

Congratulations again! This is a great shot.

Regards,
Geoff

Stakeout
by smardaz

Comment by roz:
quote .. JuliBoc Quite a shifty looking character. :P
i totally agree ... !!!!!! lol ...
well it seems that the voters didnt like it but that often tells us nothing .. look at how many of mine bomb out that are absolutely amazing and incredible images .. lol lol LOL !!!!! ... as in .. ha ha ..
this is a great image .. its very appropriate for the title .. if this had gone in a 'stakeout' challenge you'd have got a ribbon for sure .. think i've said something like that about something else .. but it is so true .. free studies are buggars .. so many ppl and so many harsh critics and often some absolutely amazing entries .. ppl pick their best of the month .. and some of these ppl are the 'best' in dpc .. so yeah ..
you got a few positive comments tho .. so you obviously pleased some of the ppl .. :)

Stakeout
by smardaz

Comment by Jib:
6

14.....Beginning of the End of My Little Girl.
by smardaz

Comment by BB-you-know-who:
I didn't give you enough kudos the first time you showed this to me. I wholeheartedly agree with many of the comments here...great job!

Sof's blank expression evokes a thousand thoughts and ideas - not too many people understand that much is said from what is not seen.

Wonderful!

BB

14.....Beginning of the End of My Little Girl.
by smardaz

Comment by Art Roflmao:
Way to go, Jason! Really great job on this! Congrats on the high score and PB.

14.....Beginning of the End of My Little Girl.
by smardaz

Comment by jonfrommk:
Jason

Many many congratulations on breaking that 6 barrier with a fantastic portrait of your step-daughter.

Strangely enough it was my daughters 11th birthday during the challenge and for a present she got her ears pierced. I had been thinking about posting a picture of this using a similar title, but I have to say that I am glad I did not because this would have blown it out of the water

I love the dof and the softness of the colours (great job on creating pastel skin tones whilst keeping the eyes sharp). The centred composition works very well and the border just enhances the image

FEEL THE LOVE!!!!

Great job

14.....Beginning of the End of My Little Girl.
by smardaz

Comment by SandyP:
Way to go, Jason!!! Looks like the expert dodging/burning on the eyes did quite the trick for you, eh?? :) CONGRATULATIONS on a personal best and a top 20! This is awesome!!!