~ 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

RIGHT DAD ~ TURN RIGHT NOW!!!
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Congrats on the blue! Great composition and great capture of a difficult topic.

My ideas for improvement: I may have tried to center the pup's face up just a touch more, but that would have been about all. The snout nearly touching the mirror frame is a little uncomfortable, but not enough that it would have detracted from my vote.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I did not vote in this one, but I would have given it a 7 or 8 after looking through the challenge. Noce capture and congrats on the blue!

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

The Stick Man
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Great capture, but not one of my favorites. I feel like most voters are probably using their phones these days, and there is a lot going on here to convey on a small screen. It is an interesting image, and I think you meet the challenge well.

My ideas for improvement: I think a different crop may have grown your score a bit here. When my eye first sees the image, I feel like I am searching for the subject. The blurred background grabs me before the subject does.

Where I would have/did score this entry: 5.8xx is not a bad score by any stretch. This would have gotten a 5 or 6 from me, so I think it scored about where it should have. Thanks for sharing!

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

Sit Long
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Well-deserved ribbon with this one! I feel like I am sitting there, looking out into that valley. Great colors and fantastic composition.

My ideas for improvement: Again, there is not 1 thing I would change here. It is hard to get such great detail shooting into the sun. Fantastic capture!

Where I would have/did score this entry: I did not vote in this one, but this would have been an 8 or 9 for me. I think it should have finished 2nd, but we are really splitting hairs there. Great work!

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

Finding Nemo
by Ja-9

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image: Nice capture, and I think you met the challenge well. This doesn't grab me like most of your images, but it still well done and deserving of the top 10 finish!

My ideas for improvement: I think upping the vibrance, maybe even saturation, would have really made this one pop. Looking through this challenge, it is tough to figure out what the voters were seeing and how they were voting. Even still, this is a nice capture.

Where I would have/did score this entry: This would have been a 6 or a 7 for me, so I think it finished and scored appropriately. Thanks for sharing!

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