Love the light at sunset....
by StormyWeathers

Comment:
This is one of those images where you don't want to be hypercritical, but at the same time a rare opportunity was missed - could'a, woulda, should'a which is always the enemy of a hobby that is time and place dependant. In this case, the lighting was perfect, but the setting was, unfortunately, the same color cast as the subject. What should be a very healthy looking golden skin tone is lost in the background as it's very similar - there isn't a direct contrast. This type of color works best when it's evenly applied onto a subject and here, the part of the subject's face that is directly lit by the sun is uneven and blotchy. You can see this by comparing the even tone of the legs to the face. There is also a direct focal point issue from the feet to the head - the head is just slightly out of focus which is a DOF problem due to the angle at which it was taken - which could account for the blotchy color. A little more height might have solved the DOF problem, but not the lighting issue. Now, having said all this from a technical perspective, from an artistic standpoint, this is a very good photograph - very natural looking pose and subject. While time is always an issue with photography, time taken to carefully examine the setting and technical issues would have made this a top contender for a prize.

Oh Ohhhhhhhh
by subject22

Comment:
Action images are always tough to do properly and while this is a good example of the genre, it has some significant issues. Most important is the shutter speed - it was a little faster than it needed to be given the length of the image (distance from the subject). This higher shutter speed also created what is a very annoying artifact in the subject's face which, at normal viewing distance from the monitor, gives a rather odd effect of opposite way around head - you really have to get on top of the image to see that it's the overlighted nose and that the head is properly placed. Also the net effect of the water "curtain" isn't as effective as it could be. Given all that, it still is a worthy effort - in the future it might be worth while to compensate for speed with aperature.

Engineer's Pass
by jhess77

Comment:
Perhaps the highest compliment any reviewer can pay a photographer is that Ansel Adams would have been proud to have taken this image. While the image has a couple of minor issues, from an artistic standpoint, it's perfect, powerful and purposeful. There is a lot in this image to recommend it to the casual viewer, but perhaps most importantly, it captures a single moment in time which Adams was a master of. Very effective - well done. The best of the challenge in my opinion.

The Dam in Mid-Summer
by davidw

Comment:
The time lapse water movement effect is one of the most overused, and generally inappropriately so, techniques in the amateur's arsenal. In this case, it works because there is a contrast, the technique is not over done, but used to artistic effect with detail. While that may sound confused, it really does describe how this image works. Well done.

Caged
by vawendy

Comment:
Powerful and very effective - as near perfect an impression of fury as you can get. This is a great image and could very well be a iconic statement for any number of current social issues - very high WOW factor, strong artistic impression and a technical success in every way. Well done.

A Zen Moment
by Marc923

Comment:
Yes it is and it's a perfect one. This image conveys power and strength, yet it is subtle and gentle at the same time - a very zen like concept. Very nicely done with no major technical issues and a terrific artistic impact. One of the better images in this challenge.

Oh the Places We Will Go
by firstkiss

Comment:
Titles and images are always a stick issue as the author sometimes has an impression that is at odds with the viewer. In this case, the image and title are perfectly matched and present a perfect impression. What a wonderful expression of a little one and the life ahead. Terrific. One of my favorites of this challenge - simple and yet very effective on several emotional levels. Well done.

View from the Park
by banmorn

Comment:
In all my years of photographing and judging activity, I have never seen an image like this - not even close. There have been other reflection shots, but nothing that is framed and presented as uniquely as this - amazing. A terrific capture - great eye for something very different. Well done.

Slight Mishap
by Blackbox

Comment:
Action photography is fun - unfortunately, I never have my camera with me with I come across something like this. Great action image with everything well controlled and nothing out of sorts. Nice job.

Mr. Lee, 81
by mpeters

Comment:
An excellant candid portrait of a venerable character - the bike repair man. The author has obviously used flash, but it's not that noticable - the various highlights are not overdone, the setting is very natural, the pose is perfect capture of a moment in time. This would be a good subject for a photo journal piece on the life and times of a mechanic. Nicely done - one of my favorites so far.