Stork
by dtremain

Comment by Puckzzz:
hmm..not very sharp and the rock is pretty blown.

Lets Feed the Ducks, Dad!
by dtremain

Comment by KaDi:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Color certainly makes the loudest statement in this image. It's kind of fun to see the jarring pink and red combination. But if the color is taken away what's left? A man with two little girls doing something that isn't quite clear.

The title tells me there are ducks...but I only see bits and pieces of ducks. I think they need to be included in the image, especially because that's what the people in the image are engaged with.

The part that is in focus appears to be some sort of pier structure in the background. Attention is withdrawn from subjects that are not in focus...and especially by something as contrasty as that background structure.

You mention that you didn't care for the green water. In that case Black and White conversion might have solved the problem. Or selective desaturation. But I find the pink color cast on the pavement more "off" than green water. I think making sure that you've got your white balance correct, whether in camera with the appropriate WB mode selected when shooting or after the fact in post-processing, can improve the way an image is received.

It appears that this event would have continued for more than a fleeting moment. In that case taking more shots to capture the faces and expressions can give you more to choose from later on.

Overall, this feels like a poorly planned image. Sorry if that sounds harsh but it seems that a little more care in the taking and a bit more mastery of the equipment will improve this type of shot for you.

Keep shooting and good luck!

And then she kissed me!
by dtremain

Comment by LalliSig:
Greetings from the critique club :)

Well I want to start off by saying I probably would have voted this image a 4, 90% of that is I feel this image is shoehorned into the challenge by using the title to explain the photo, sorry but honestly, that´s how I see it. I just don´t see any extreme emotion in the photo itself, sure, the fireworks cleverly form the shape of a heart but where is the emotion in the picture itself? Sure, the title kindof explains that but I don´t really like when you need the title to explain the photo and try to avoid that at all times if I can, the photo should be able to stand by itself as an explanation as to how it meets the challenge, otherwise I could pretty much take just about any photo and explain how it fitted the challenge description.

I am really perplexed at the settings you used for this image, I usually use a much longer time and f11-16 aperture but I am glad this worked out for you, must have been difficult to time this properly. I use the other method, set up tripod, long time (usually 5-30 seconds or even longer) and f11-16 to make sure I get all of the firework, from start to finish, you must have known where the fireworks were going to explode :)

The photo then itself is pretty decent, the fireworks are well exposed, again I really like the shape of the blast making a heart and all the technicals and all that are pretty good. Sure, the composition is centered, but I don´t really see how you could have done anything different about that. Makes the photo maybe a bit like a "documentary photograph of a firework" since there is absolutely nothing else in the frame. I usually want foreground with firework, aurora borealis and lighting photos since that´s the only way those photos stand out from the rest, by themselves nightshots of these phenomenon are not really interesting to me.

Maybe had you taken a much wider shot and had a couple kissing in front of the firework, they just seen as silhouettes, this would have gotten a far better score, at least from me :)

Kind regards from Iceland, Lárus.

It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)
by dtremain

Comment by Donna21:
There doesn't seem to be a real focus to the shot - exccept maybe the drum in the lower right, but I don't think that's what you were looking for here.

Just Chillin'
by dtremain

Comment by Blackbox:
The focus on the Penguin is very nice and I like the color of the water. Honestly, I'm not finding it a very interesting shot and I don't know what could improve it. The idea of 'Just Chillin' is the best part of the photo and ties it together though.

Just Chillin'
by dtremain

Comment by LN13:
The centered composition hurts this, in my opinion. Putting the penguin in the bottom left, swimming toward the top right would make it work better for me.

Lets Feed the Ducks, Dad!
by dtremain

Comment by mk:
I like the sunglasses. :)
Seems a tad oversaturated, though.

Lets Feed the Ducks, Dad!
by dtremain

Comment by psart:
That was me 15 years ago enjoy it time flys. Good moment. psart

It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)
by dtremain

Comment by jbirkman:
seems to be a rather generic garage band snapshot. not very much action of excitement to convey.

It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)
by dtremain

Comment by basssman7:
it could use a bit more contrast, and as I am sure you know it is kinda busy.