Phoebe's Shoelace
by clues56

Comment:
Critique Club

Composition: I really like the framing chosen for this image. The shoelace is perhaps a touch close at the very top, but it still looks ok. Having the knot of the shoelace centred gives the image a nice balance.

Technical Quality: The colour is very nice. The light is also quite good (a very small piece of over exposure at the top of the shoe - inside the loop of the lace, but nothing significant). The depth of field is quite shallow, however since nothing is deliberately blurred is looks more accidental than deliberate - thankfully most of the image is quite sharp. Exposure is wonderful - neither too light nor too dark.

Meeting Challenge: It's not an extreme macro, but its close enough for me. Also, given the shallow depth of field I suspect the camera was very close to the shoe taking this shot.

Creativity: It's a nice shot. The shape of the shoelace creates interest and the texture of the shoe itself is lovely. It kind of makes me what to know who Phoebe is.

Border / Title: The border is very subtle - it doesn't add much to the image, but it doesn't distract from it either so no problem. The title is nice - like I said, it makes me what to know who Phoebe is.

Overall: It's a very well executed photo. You obviously put some thought into the lighting and composition is wonderful. The shoe has an old quality that adds a lot of texture and interest to the shot. I might have considered trying to get the entire shoe into focus - perhaps moving the camera back and zooming in to compensate. Well done.

The Weakest Link
by rmahan

Comment:
Critique Club

Composition: In general the composition is very good. I might have tried changing the cropping to have the broken link further into the top left corner, and the shadow in the bottom right corner. This would involve re-framing the chain then moving the light to compensate.

Technical Quality: The shallow depth of field works very well to help blurthe shadow, but unfortunately it also blurs the chain at the bottom. Perhaps you could reposition the chain slightly to keep all of it in focus? The lighting is good, but the bottom part of the broken link is too dark to see it properly - the top half of this link is great though. I might have considered having the chain just a little brighter so that it really grabs attention.

Meeting Challenge: You met the challenge well. I could see this image even being used as a book cover, with white text in the darker parts of the image. It's a simple image which conveys a well used phrase - well done.

Creativity: I like your concept for lighting, except as mentioned above. The shadow really helps this image a lot.

Border: No border provided - no border required... Good choice.

Overall: It's a very good image, as reflected by it's sixth place in the rankings. In terms of elements to improve (since you asked specifically for what is wrong) I would say:

* Focus on bottom half of chain
* Darkness on bottom of broken link
* Small amount of "blown highlights" on some links, but nothing major
* Chain a little too dark to grab attention

Good work on a great piece of stock photography though.

Girl's Bestfriends
by CreativeFlyPhoto

Comment:
Critique Club

Composition: Composition wise you have done very well. The cropping on all sides is nicely balanced and the photo has a pleasing aspect ratio. I like the way that the background fades darker as well. Locking the clips together shows the symmetry well.

Technical Quality: The focus and depth of field is very good. The shadows are well done (overhead lighting worked very well). The blown out highlights at the top edges are a shame, but also remind the viewer that the clips are glossy and reflective - overall they are probably better included than removed. The background is very well done.

Meeting the Challenge: You have met the symmetry challenge whilst still providing an interesting image. They have symmetry, without being "absolutely" symmetrical - which is nice.

Creativity: I like the difference in colour between the clips, despite their similarity. Locking them together was very good.

Border: The simple black border is nice. Simple is almost always nice when it comes to borders.

Overall: I like this photo - you've done well to make a basic object look appealing. I'm surprised this image didn't rate slightly higher actually. Well done.

Night at the Opera
by crabappl3

Comment:
Critique Club

Composition: In general I like the composition. I think it's perhaps cropped too tightly on the sides. I certainly like the angle of the glasses. I would have liked to see a little more of the rope/chain. The colour of the background is very plush and appropriate to the subject, plus it complements the glasses very well.

Technical Quality: The focus and depth of field are very good in this photo. The lighting works very well (I'm a big fan of "ghetto" lighting if you check out my "The Hunter" photo). I find the reflection in the lenses slightly distracting.

Meeting the Challenge: I think this qualifies as a macro nicely. Initially I thought they were old binoculars, but since they are opera glasses then you are certainly zoomed in.

Creativity: Your choice of background was very wise, and the title is lovely. Overall, it's an elegant photo that is fitting of a "Night at the Opera"

Border: The subtle gold line and black outer work well to frame the image without distracting the viewer. The black obviously sits well with the blackness of the glasses body.

Overall: A very well executed photo. Not the most extreme macro in the world, but close enough for me. Technically you have done very well and all elements of the photo compliment each other (title, colour, border, composition). If you have the width available on the original try cropping it slightly wider at the sides.

Baby Steps
by karmat

Comment:
Critique Club

Composition: The composition of this image is very good. The spacing around the shoes works well. I really like the mirror style effect you created.

Technical Quality: Technically the shot is ok, but could probably be improved slightly. The lighting is a little harsh, but nothing too serious. The focus looks a bit blurry - did you try sharpening the image to define some of the edges.

Meeting the Challenge: I really like your approach to the challenge. Your decision to make the shoes different was very wise - otherwise it would look like a shoe on a mirror (making for a rather boring photo). The shoelace was a good decision, the tab at the back probably wasn't necessary, but certainly isn't a problem.

Creativity: Again, a reflected shoe is a pretty boring subject. But a pretend reflection with an obvious difference was very smart. It's the kind of photo that if hung on a wall would have people look at it thinking "why photo that" until they realised the humour in it.

Border: The border is nice and subtle. Good job.

Overall: I really like the concept in this photo. It isn't technically perfect, with the focus being my main distraction. Good work on a very amusing photo.

Bona-fide Symmetry
by Izadora

Comment:
You seems to have captured an incredible amount of detail in a small image - well done. It's quite an interesting photo to look at as a result.

Red Hot!
by Fiver

Comment:
I like the composition, but the image seems uncomfortable to look at for some reason - perhaps oversharpened or blown highlights, I can't quite put my finger on it.

Cacti
by dacrazyrn

Comment:
I love the crispness of this photo. The shallow depth of field really brings attention to your subject. Great work.

Mother House
by mariomel

Comment:
I love the colour of the building. Was this taken at sunset?

Reflected Light
by Clou9

Comment:
Personally I think the border is too extreme, although it is kind of appropriate to the image. I'd like to see it with a more subtle border though.