t h e • w a t c h e r
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

An excellent cityscape that contributes well to the open challenge

A great choice of viewpoint and title, the dominant placement of the gargoyle transforms the image from a straightforward landscape into something much more interesting, it brings it alive.

The lighting though dull is conducive to a good even exposure, there is plenty of good detail throughout. The one thing I don't like is the sharpening halo around the gargoyle which is a shame as it is such a crucial element of the image.

Apologies for the delayed critique, as they say, better late than never, Sid

• s w o r d p l a y •
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

An intriguing image that meets the challenge well.

Lovely colours against the black background it makes for a very effective abstract. I like the implied diagonal composition and the way the colours merge together with clear separate red and green sections.

I'm not really sure how you have done this, it looks like some sort of light painting with green and red lights, its the shapes that are the intriguing element, very interesting. Well done Janine.

Apologies for the delayed critique, as they say, better late than never, Sid

s e a • p e a r l s
by Ja-9

Comment by clickodak:
Very nice composition. Top 3. Give an 8

s e a • p e a r l s
by Ja-9

Comment by MeMex2:
wonderful !!!

Nuccio’s Cameo - Camellia japonica
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

An appealing flower study that meets the challenge well.

A very competent image of the camelia composed in an appealing off centre way. I disagree with one of your commenters I think the chosen aperture is most appropriate giving you a DOF with just the right amount of softness and detail.

I wouldn't mind seeing the occasional flower study without the seemingly obligatory water drops! It looks like you have used flash which is illuminating the front of the floor a little too much for me. I would prefer to see the natural hues and shadows, a lot of the natural delicate detail has been lost here through the use of flash.

Please forgive the long delay in this critique, I hope you feel the image and critique are both still relevant, Sid.

F A C I N A T I O N
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A flower study that meets the challenge fully.

Whilst I have to own up to the fact that the end result of these filters rarely, if ever, appeals to me, I also acknowledge that the challenge probably dictates their use to achieve the painted feel of the challenge. I would imagine you could have some success trying to achieve a painterly feel in-camera which would be the challenge I would be attracted to but I suppose the voters may be swayed by those that appear the most painted and they are probably most likely to be the result of the use of filters.

I quite like the macro and composition with the heart of the flower off-centre. I find the shadows the most intriguing element of the image, very appealing. I think the edges appear sharper than would probably be the case if this had been painted, for example, the sharp diagonal of the top left corner I think this would be a softer transition without the boundary line running through it. The pinkish splodges do not appeal, for me they detract but they are not a major part of the image except towards the centre which is also where the eyes are drawn.

An understandable but unappealing use of filters, thanks for your submission, Sid

~ Christmas Berries ~
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A very seasonal image that meets the open challenge well.

An appealing image that reflects the festive mood of the time of year (not long to the next one!). I scored this a 7 at the time and would probably do so again, it still has the sort of appeal that goes with the season.

It looks as though you have included a texture layer to give it a bit more uniqueness as opposed to a straightforward shot, and it works because it does make it the sort of shot you will take a second look at. The composition is good with the berries coming in at an angle from the corner, the diagonal works well. Although I like the background it is a little confusing and may have benefited from a little more DOF.

A rather belated Merry Christmas! Sid

Ready to fly? Varoooom
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A fairly pleasing portrait that meets this open themed challenge.

A portrait of a child at play that in itself will naturally have appeal to most viewers, and it does but there are several things about it that set it apart I assume intentionally but it doesn't work that well for me.

The moment you have captured is one that feels more posed than natural and his expression does not convey the sort of pleasure I would hope to see in this situation, there seems to be a degree of apprehension in his face. He is too central in the frame I would prefer to see him further to the left but I think this side on viewpoint could have been improved upon with a change of position looking up the seesaw towards him with him against a much less distracting background. Talking of which the chosen aperture has given you more DOF than is desirable for this composition.

The thing I have the biggest problem with is the processing, and again I assume you have deliberately chosen to present it in this way but I don't know why. I find it much too contrasty and grainy. I can only assume you have tried to emulate an old box brownie type of snapshot? This would make it a lot more understandable if you have and is starting to make a bit more sense to me now. Together with the other aspects I have commented on it feels as though you intended it be interpreted much more with the snapshot theme in mind, in which case well done.

As you can see that interpretation was initially lost on me and I'm sure, most of the viewers here, but well done for approaching it in this manner, (if you have), Sid

w a t e r s • e d g e
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

Congratulations on your second placing for a very appealing image that fully meets the challenge.

Your landscape is most suitably chosen for the challenge being all about the quality of the light. Not only do we get the benefit of the lovely skies but we get the lovely reflections too.

The exposure is good throughout with nice detail and tones. Your composition is good though I think I would have given slightly more emphasis on the water and placed the horizon a little higher to take advantage of more reflections and plant silhouette shapes.

Another very pleasing submission Janine well done, Sid

r e f l e c t i n g • p o o l
by Ja-9

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

An interesting shot assumed to meet the challenge.

A great composition of an interesting location. Well done for looking for the puddle and reflection to add that extra interest to your image and placing it in one of the hotspots to complete your composition. The colours and patterns of the rocks are what make the image stand out and you have made these a major element of your image to good effect.

For some inexplicable reason I have problems with the buildings, they feel like cutouts that have been added after, I know they haven't but that's how they feel, particularly the nearest red building. It's a shame because it is an appealing image but the feeling is so strong it is detracting from my overall appreciation of it. I can only assume its down to the processing, it feels as though its somehow lost its natural look.

I'm pleased for you that most people here appreciated and enjoyed it, scoring well in a highly contested challenge, well done Janine, Sid