Knockout Blow - fly!
by bcenu

Comment by bspurgeon:
Critique Club

I found this to be interesting take on the challenge.

Composition: Somewhat stagnant, but the center composition works to express the nature of death. Nice placement in the lower third to meet the challenge and demonstrate bokeh

You met the challenge, but the bokeh is quite harsh, and is often most effective, when pleasant. However, the harsh nature of the bokeh complements your subject.

What I don't like about this image, and it may reflect many voters, is the harsh color/processing. I can't comment further without knowing the details, but it looks like a color negative. I believe that this also negated the focal point and softened the fly.

I think your method of presentation kept the score low, but I'm quite impressed with the uniformity of the image in conveying death. You did that quite well, and probably had no chance at a high finish! ;) Take a look at the top end of the challenge and you will see creamy smooth bokeh with pleasant colors. That's what your fly was compared to in the context of the challenge. I scored this a 5 during voting for all the reasons stated above.

Thanks for your submission to the Critique Club.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

-BS

Safety in the shadows.......only a step away!
by bcenu

Comment by tanguera:
Great bee macro. Shadow, not so much

Knockout Blow - fly!
by bcenu

Comment by trevytrev:
lol, he's seeing stars alright.

"Turned" into something...
by bcenu

Comment by jeger:
Greetings from the Critique Club...

I was not able to vote on this challenge, but if I had, I probably would have given you a 5 or 6.

While I think it is relatively clear on the before and after, I think that simplifying the scene a bit would help with the comparison. I find the aluminum swirls in the background to be distracting as they are fighting for my attention. If you had left a little more negative space on the bottom of the photograph, instead of the top, there would have been lots of beautiful reflectsions in the metal. The aluminum rod and threaded fitting with just the two metal swirls in the foreground would have been nice and simple, and easier to understand.

I hope you find these comments helpful. If you need any clarification on any of my comments, please feel free to pm me. It might take some time for me to get back to you.

Knockout Blow - fly!
by bcenu

Comment by pedrobop:
Well...i like the details on the bee, but i think she's a little noisy. The bokeh is just ok, because it seems a little rigid for me...i can't see that smooth or creamy aspects on it. Sorry if i was rude with something, i like your shot, but i think it could be much better.

Knockout Blow - fly!
by bcenu

Comment by Connor:
great shot,

Knockout Blow - fly!
by bcenu

Comment by mikeee:
Horrible subject but well executed.

Knockout Blow - fly!
by bcenu

Comment by CassieDoodle:
i would really like to see the original image, looks like a good find. i think the over processing is too much.

Knockout Blow - fly!
by bcenu

Comment by saj255:
Creepy, but cool!

"Turned" into something...
by bcenu

Comment by Rainbow-Coloured-Soul:
Good!