The Homestead
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: I messed up on this whole challenge with my voting. After seeing you ribbon, I really looked deeper into the golden ratio, and my understanding was way off. I was expecting to see more flowing curvature in the image, so I did my voting on a wrong understanding of the challenge, rather than the quality of the overall images. With that explained, embarrassingly enough, I was your 4 vote on this one.

My ideas for improvement: Now that I understand the golden ration, I love the photo. The overlayed images really bring out every area of the picture nicely.

Where I would have/did score this entry: Well, aside from being the jackass that didn't understand the challenge and handed out a low score, this SHOULD have been an 8 or 9 from me. My apologies for bringing the scire down. Overall, I probably didn't drag it down too much, but still, I should have had a better understanding. Thanks for sharing another awesome capture!

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Glacier National Park
by Ja-9

Comment by Refocused:
Wow! Now you have me excited. I’m going there in September:) I’ll look for that view!

Just a Hint of Fall
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Guess Who! I really am glad you have checked the CC box on your photos! There are only a couple of people who have done it in recent history, but I kinda want to see it revived. Free Studies are tough. I just looked back through the ones I entered ages ago, and mine almost always did poorly. I have one on my front page, but that was an unusually great image that I got while in Arizona at a DPC GTG.I think in an assigned challenge, this one would have been a top 5.

My ideas for improvement: Not hugely noticeable, but I feel like the greens are pushed a little too much. I think that would help the overall image, but there were some really good entries in this one.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I think it scored about where I would have put it. I didn't vote, but this would have been a 6 or a 7 for me.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

The Trial ~ Pink Floyd ~ Tear down the wall!
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Me again! Congrats on another top 10 finish! I like grungy type images that show true aspects of life, and this is another good one.

My ideas for improvement: I am guessing you looked at it with different processing, but I feel like I would enjoy this one more in BW. Maybe I wouldn't, but I think I would. I think a little bump in the exposure would have helped it score a little higher.

Where I would have/did score this entry: You were up against some good entries in this challenge, and I think you finished near where I would expect. I think there were two entries ahead of you that I liked less, but all-in-all, I think you did well. Had I voted, this would have been a 6 or 7 for me. I think the voters got it right.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

~ The Asylum ~
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: I really like this one, too, and a well-deserved blue! The textures are fantastic, and the story is even better.

My ideas for improvement: Really nothing I would change. I would like to see another angle without everything centered, but I very well may have chosen the centered composition anyway.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I did not vote in this one, but it would have been my top choice, as it was with the voters. This one would have definitely gotten an 8 or 9 from me. Nice work, as always!

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Bison: The Majestic Beast of the Plains
by Ja-9

Comment by MaryO:
He is majestic, and the wildflowers add nicely to the scene.

~ Thistle ~
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: This one baffles me. This is one of my favorites from your portfolio, and definitely one of the best 2 in the challenge. I cannot understand why this once did not place higher.

My ideas for improvement: I dunno. I like the composition, I love the subject, I really enjoy shallow DOF. The lighting is nicely dramatic. I guess the only thing I could nitpick is that the bottom center bud seems to be in focus. I feel like I would rather have it out of focus with the rest of the background.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I didn't vote in this one, but this would have been an 8 or 9 for me. I really don't get what put the voters off here.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Window ~ Door
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Congrats on the ribbon! I like this inside-looking-out approach. It really stands out from the other entries.

My ideas for improvement: I would like to see this one with just a little fill flash coming in on that left side. I guess it could be done with HDR combination, but I am still a little old school. I normally shoot and process a single frame.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I did not vote in this challenge, but this would have been my top scorer along with the second-place finisher. Both these entries would have gotten a 9 from me. Thanks for letting us see this one!

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

~ The One Less Traveled ~
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Another well-deserved blue!

My ideas for improvement: I think I would have liked to have seen the road lightened up just a bit, but that is my personal preference. It may not have worked to make it better, but that is the only thing I can really offer here. It meets the challenge well, and it is a great capture.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I did not vote in this one, but I think it scored a little low. It was definitely the best entry into the challenge. For me, this one would have pulled an 8.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Fairy Bridge
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Another nice capture! Free study challenges are always strong, and this one finished nicely.

My ideas for improvement: I don't think there is much to change here. I may have gone a little tighter on the main waterfall, but I think you captured a very strong image.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I think this one scored low. Looking through the challenge, this would have been a 7 or 8 for me. Nice image!

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric