Afternoon Stroll
by trnqlty

Comment:
An excellant casual portrait from an artistic viewpoint, it suffers from being a little too far in terms of subject and has been over sharpened which may be an example of RAW to .jpeg conversion sharpening as this reviewer doesn't believe that the over sharpening was intentional. The soft focus could be due to a camera meter selection - area vs spot focus on automatic. A good entry into the challenge, it certainly demonstrates a candid moment effectively, it's technical issues keep it from placing higher.

In the Spotlight
by BarbB

Comment:
Dramatic and impressive in an artistic sense if only because of the nature of the subject. The image needs to be viewed more than once to properly evaluate the dark and the details that lurk within - not an image that takes kindly to casual viewing. While not to the general taste, this is an amazing image in several respects. The dark photographer appears to be over sharpened but that may be artifact from the back lighting. A very impressive conversion, this was orignally rated an 8, but on review, has been rerated a 10 for it's innovative approach to the subject challenge in addition to it's technical and artistic success. While it might not place high, any reviewer who has been involved in photography more than a few years will recognise the technique used here to express an idea which was more than expertly executed. Well done.

cowgirl at the formal
by shuttered_smiles

Comment:
A good solid candid portrait, but it lacks some context. There is something happening that needs to be revealed, but isn't. From a technical standpoint, it is competant, properly lighted and colors and backgrond controlled. From an artistic standpoint - frankly it has no context and thus, lacks impact. - no pop or wow factor. A good entry into the challenge, the author might have taken more time to include some activity and interest into the image.

Crowd control Rip City
by willhadl

Comment:
About as candid as an image can get, it suffers from something that is undefinable. The expressions on the members of the horse patrol are good, but this could have been a little more effective by changing the angle and concentrating on one or two members of the patrol. From a technical standpoint, it is properly focused and just a little darker than it should be. Given the difficult lighting situation, the author did well to make it as colorful as it is. From an artistic standpoint, it just doesn't seem to be compelling. It is, however, a good candid image and worthy of the challenge.

A Big Step Up
by risenphoenixster

Comment:
About as candid as an image can get, it suffers from soft focus which is a negative. This is probably an auto focus issue as the camera picked up the outside left as the area focus rather than spot focus on the subject. It would have been difficult in any case becaues of the odd lighting to get a good spot focus, so manual would have been a better choice. From an artistic standpoint, it falls just short of being truly interesting and compelling. It is, however, a good candid image and worthy of the challenge.

BEAUTY
by antje

Comment:
Age and grace are always worthy subjects and from that standpoint, this works on several levels. The overall blue feel of the image is a plus, but just on the edge of being overdone. Intense and purposeful, the model's expression conveys a sense of elegance, wisdom and time. Unfortunately, the rather blank sky does not help this image at all. Additionally, the author might have done better to get a closer capture of the subject's face which is the image's most interesting feature. The use of bokeh could have been better and with a closer look at the subject from a different angle to provide a contrasting background would have improved this image tremendously. The author might want to use some post processing magic with the sky and see if the image can be enhanced with a substitution or better treatment. A good worthy entry into the challenge.

Ya, that's the Feds and they're taking names!
by vtruan

Comment:
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that somebody isn't out to get you. :>) A sound capture of a candid moment, it's technically acceptable even with the little softer focus with good color saturation and nothing particularly off balance or overdone. From an artistic standpoint, it's more snapshot quality than strictly "artistic", but it does convey a single moment in time with the subjects reacting to each other. The author might have done a little better to wait to capture a different scene or perhaps a little different angle. A good entry into the challenge.

Sunday Brunch
by JuliBoc

Comment:
Originally rated an 8 because of a perception of slightly overdone whites, on comment review, the effectiveness of this truly candid moment is simply outstanding. A perfect demonstration of right ISO choice, right lens choice, right camera, composition and framing. The casual aspect of the caretaker perfectly matches the gentle slumber of the resting child. Rerated to a ten because of it's complete technical and artistic success, this should be a top five image if not a blue ribbon contender. An excellant image - well done.

Just a Moment
by BrianR

Comment:
It is a truly candid moment that certainly demonstrates how fleeting truly candid moments are. However the unfortunate post processing treatment is a huge negative - no pun intended - and was not a good choice - if it were a color image, then a straight conversion to black and white or grayscale would have been better. A good solid entry into the challenge which would have rated higher with better post processing treatment.

"A Pig Walks Into A Hair Salon"
by rodfulk

Comment:
and the hair dresser says "why the long face?" A candid moment captured on the spur of the moment without any thought to composition is very effective - the author did well to capture the people in the mirror and the reaction to the pig's entrance. It is a truly candid moment that, while shy of being a total technical or artistic success, certainly demonstrates how fleeting truly candid moments are. A good solid entry into the challenge.