Torn Skyby
kausikmpiComment by CEJ: Hello from the Critique Club!
I have studied your image and have the following to offer:
Composition/perspective: Considering the concept of your shot, the perspective is perfect. The view is clean and unobstructed. I feel that the hands take up too much of the shot - appear too close - while the blue section is not quite big enough while siting too far back in the overall perspective. A larger torn area would place more emphasis on that portion while presenting a stronger balance.
Color - the color contrast is well done. The hues are strong and consistent. There is a bit much of the darkest/black areas that give it an eerie look on one hand, but also a very dark look on the other. Some of this is the hands (see below) but the lower right corner is almost all black and the large are on the left seems a bit misplaced - the small stripe of red on the border places it in the composition as opposed to bordering it.
Light - the one area I would like to see some work on. Although you can clearly see the hands, they are very dark which seems to overwhelm a lot of the composition. having them appear lighter or less red would separate them and add an element of strength to the act of tearing the sky. With the appearance of detached arms, the hands are the subject of intrusion - tearing. Lighter and slightly farther apart may have made it a stronger composition.
Challenge requirements - with no description other than the challenge title, the intended subject matter was clear. You have met the challenge requirements in that regard. I don't think you overdid the use of the new rules. Enough to portray your concept. Close, but not too much, to put it strictly on the art side. This may be where the darkness helped.
Overall/my opinion - I didn't vote this challenge but did view all entries. I was impressed by a lot of the beautiful shots but applaud the ones that tried to put together a concept - as this one. I think this shot demonstrates a strong ability to capture your ideas and present them well. A nice composite that with some slightly different processing has the potential to be striking.