Chess with a twist - Shots of Tequila
by heavyj

Comment by PaulE:
Greetings from the Critique Club.

Hi Jason,

So; you've been beat up by the DNMC crowd - pretty badly too. The vote distribution tells the story! Some would have marked you down because they don't think chess is a sport, others because they can' see the action (must admit those opening moves are on a par with a golfer walking onto the tee - hardly what the sport is about), and others because they can't see the human element. Is this fair? Not really, but it is their vote to do with as they please.

The above aside lets consider the image itself. I agree with boyd2000 that a lower POV would suit the subject better - giving a greater sense of depth. You've got some lovely lighting, especially in terms of the light on the glasses - I would have loved these reflections to be sharp and crisp. Perhaps the DOF was too short. I see you had a very long exposure. A better approach would probably have been to shoot at f/8 and then lit the scene with a stronger light to keep the shutter speed down.

It is my hope that these insights are helpful and constructive. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions regarding this critique. And please remember to mark it "Helpful" if you found it so. Good luck with future challenges.

Cheers
Paul

Woman in Silk
by heavyj

Comment by cogerox:
Striking image, but I wish the highlights weren't so blown. Still, very nice.

Woman in Silk
by heavyj

Comment by canary:
I like the pose but the image seems to have detail in downsizing for display and the light seems a little harsh overall.

Woman in Silk
by heavyj

Comment by JunieMoon:
Seems overprocessed.

Chess with a twist - Shots of Tequila
by heavyj

Comment by MaryO:
Looks like the shots were consumed before the first move; should be an interesting game. I would try softer, directed lighting to minimize all the reflections and focus the viewer's attention.

Chess with a twist - Shots of Tequila
by heavyj

Comment by JerseyGenie:
I like this SPORT!!

Chess with a twist - Shots of Tequila
by heavyj

Comment by Keiomi:
THATS A GAME ID LIKE TO PLAY

Chess with a twist - Shots of Tequila
by heavyj

Comment by kolasi:
my kind of chess game...great idea and i like the lighting

My Pi
by heavyj

Comment by KaDi:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

I really like the pose! What a playful image! The glasses add to the concept of playful fun.

I think, however, that the representation of Pi would have more appeal if it had been painted on...it feels odd to me to see shadows cast on her torso from the cut-out. And it fits the challenge only by this addition. As one commentor pointed out, there are plenty of Pi curves on the female form...this is not really one of them.

The lighting is the largest liability in the image...too bright on the chest causing blown out highlights...too strong and uni-directional causing unflattering shadows to be cast on "Pi" the supposed subject of this image. Perhaps a little reflected fill light would have helped to even out the light and created better modeling of the subject. Also, without backlight her hair disappears into the void...a loss that takes away from her form and figure.

Overall, I think you've made a good beginning toward photographing the human figure but need to strengthen the connection with the challenge if high scores are your aim.

Hope you don't find my comments too harsh...PM me if you do.

Chess with a twist - Shots of Tequila
by heavyj

Comment by boyd2000:
Lose a piece; take a shot. I won't ask how you keep track of which piece is which. It's not very sharp, but maybe that's because the shot glasses have all been emptied and the eyes aren't sharp. I think a lower angle would look better.