The dance of the flames
by purpleflutterby13

Comment:
This is a very interesting and exciting image to look at!
I love the setting--especially the glimpse of Edinburgh Castle in the upper right corner. Glad to see you're still working this subject! It's a great way to find what you want to say.

Disappearing Glass
by riot

Comment:
Lots of fun and humor in this shot! I really like the "floating" lollypop...it's weird in a a good way. I find the lack of detail in the center of the ice distracting, just a bit too blown out. The necklace also draws undue attention especially because it merges with the form of the wine glass. Limited color pallet is spot on, though, and the facial expression carries the theme well.

Painting with fire
by purpleflutterby13

Comment:
Critique Club Comment...sorta...
I have looked carefully at your image and would like to give it the critique it deserves...but time is expiring and I am unable to squeeze within the shadow of the timeline. So....I hold my place with this comment and will "come back" tomorrow to add my thoughts. I hope you find that acceptable.
---
Finally getting back to you with something more like a critique:

This image has immediate impact of motion and fire. I especially like how the flame in front of the young woman appears. It is, however, a bit scary to look at--all that flame near dry brush and the fire behind her head make this seem dangerous. Yet at the same time the expression on her face is quiet. These factors do make me pause to figure out what's happening in the picture...what's the story?

Technically an image such as this is difficult to pull off. The light must be in motion but the model needs to be fairly still for the long exposure. Unfortunately the exposure is left with blown out whites in the flame and arms that disappear into the blackness. Digital, in general, has difficulty dealing with extreme lighting of this sort--the detail in the blacks (such as the clothing) is lost and the fire creates great swaths of empty space. It's not necessarily "bad" it's just something to be aware of when looking for depth in your image.

I like the choice of the square crop that frames the subject and keeps it contained with the space of the action. I like the way the face is lit with the softness of the lights. I like that this looks like a playful moment. But, in the end, I'm left wondering about the reason for the image...why it should interest me beyond the level of experimental photography. Your scores and comments clearly indicate that you grabbed people's attention...now I think you need to find some fire dancers. :)

Have fun with your photography and keep playing!
--Kadi

Message edited by author 2007-04-09 17:11:45.

Vanished (outtake? unsubmitted?)
by Sting11165

Comment:
A beautiful and emotive image! Choice of limited monotone really adds to the feeling of mystery. It seems so poetic and story-like. Even without a (proper) title one has a sense of what is happening here.

Oddly, the blurred face seems to add to the story...maybe if the entire image on the flier were blurred...it would make me think that the father/man was glossy-eyed in un-belief that this could be his daughter.

Certainly a wonderfully serious expression given the odd elements of the challenge topic! Sometimes the simple, unconnected pieces of ideas bring out the best in the author, no?

I would have been pleased to give this a very high score. It is technically and poetically very pleasing.

Not Perfect...
by Katehoward

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. The following comments are in response to your request for a critique on your challenge submission. Please feel free to send me a PM concerning my comments.

An interesting an emotive image, this requires the viewer to pause and try to get the story because of its subject matter. The choice of Black and White helps limit the subject to the young woman and her surroundings. The title with the subject of the challenge, however, carries much of the meaning. Without the title it would be difficult, I think, to understand the concept of self-hate because of an eating disorder. Nonetheless, the story is there.

I like the pose of the woman with her identity obscured by the hand over her face. The ribs showing on her back and the thin body contribute to the message being presented. The composition seems casual in the arrangement of elements but makes the setting definitely a close bathroom in which the subject seems trapped. I don't understand, however, the inclusion of the items on the vanity--the hair straightener(?) and papers seem to take away from the idea that her only reason for being in the bathroom is her illness. I find the angle of the camera interesting, too, that the lines of the room are a bit off kilter enhancing the idea that the subject is not feeling quite right.

Technically it's not a bad image. I enjoy seeing a full range of tones from black to white. But there are some over-exposed whites in the toiletpaper and on the sink...perhaps from a strong flash? If it is flash, then bouncing or diffusing the flash could hellp. In my view the "grainy" quality of the image does not detract...but I come from a film background where that was more commonly used to advantage than now where many people (especially at DPChallenge) only wish to see perfectly clean images without noise or grain. I suggest using grain sparingly in challenge entries if your aim is a high score--otherwise I don't see it as an issue.

Overall, I think this image is successful in telling its story.

Keep creating, you've obviously got something to say!
--Kadi

Maybe I went too far...
by Apee

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. The following comments are in response to your request for a critique on your challenge submission. Please feel free to send me a PM concerning my comments.

This image is intriguing. I like the repetition of pattern in the blood and twisting of the thread. Compositionally this is a strong image. I like, too, the selective focus on the head of the needle but think it would be nice to see the sharpness of the needle's point.

Somehow, it seems that that's a lot of blood for a little needle to cause. And I'm not sure about the connection to the challenge subject of hate. It is, perhaps, this ambiguity that kept the image from scoring higher in the challenge...what is the hate? Do you hate sewing? Did you hate yourself and prick yourself repeatedly with this tiny weapon? I'm not sure.

Overall, I like the creativity in this image. It's interesting to look at and slows me down in viewing it to try and figure it out. I'm sorry if my "critique" is short but I'm at a loss to say what should or could be different.

Keep working at it, you've got an interesting vision!

--Kadi

Envy Turns to Hate
by levyj413

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. The following comments are in response to your request for a critique on your challenge submission. Please feel free to send me a PM concerning my comments.

The impact of this image is immediate and lasting. It is a clear portrayal of an emotion and, in the context of the challenge, I appreciate that this shows what envy cum hate is rather than showing an object of hate.

Creatively an improvement, in my opinion, on your inspiration photo...though they do not carry the same message. I think the color choices and lighting carry a great deal of the impact. I would, however, like to see a bit more tension in the fist so that it really appeared to be squeezing hard. It would also have a little more impact if the heart could somehow look more squeezed itself, distorted in some way.

I'll also make a minor quibble with the tiny highlights on the one side of the heart...they appear to be from a secondary light source which doesn't appear to be contributing to any other part of the image. Of course, outside of basic editing, they could have been cloned away but perhaps the source could have been turned off in the first place? The main reason they distract, I think, is that white is so important in your image. The white V-shaped highlight on the heart so neatly leads the viewer to believe the white crushed "glass" coming from the fist. So, though it may seem picky, the tiny white highlights are made even more prominent by the other choices in the image.

There really is little else to quibble with in this image. (I will say I disagree with the commenter who wanted to see trimmed nails...as I usually do...but since when does envy stop for a manicure?) Overall, this is very well done technically, creatively, in subject and in conception...and the votes and comments agree. Congrats on your high-placing image! Keep 'em coming!

--Kadi

Jean's hate face
by pla2

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. The following comments are in response to your request for a critique on your challenge submission. Please feel free to send me a PM concerning my comments.

First, welcome to DPChallenge and congratulations on entering your first image! I hope you'll consider entering more as it seems you have a pleasingly different way of approaching your subject.

My first impression was that the image really screams at the viewer. I've seen children so angry they nearly turn that color pink with rage. Red is definitely the color of anger and hate for me.

Your commenters clearly expressed that they thought you went a bit too far with your color choice. I find it fun and reminiscent of Andy Warhol poster portraits. The only way to take it farther in the Warhol direction would be to apply filters to heighten the graphic quality of the image...which, of course, is not legal in Basic Editing challenges. I think if I were to suggest a change to the coloring it would be to tone down the red in the hair and shadows a bit more toward the fuscia range--the combination is perhaps a bit too jarring and unnecessary given the great expression on the girl's face.

This image certainly has impact! I feel her angry stare. The composition clearly focuses on the face as the hair and other elements frame this portrait. There's nothing un-wanted within the frame that would distract me from its message.

If this were simply a full-color portrait, then I'd have to agree with one commenter that the highlights on the face are blown out and lacking detail that we usually like to see. But I feel you made this choice intentionally and that it adds to idea behind the shot. Even the blur around her neck and shoulders helps make it feel like she has just quickly turned her head adding a bit of dramatic motion to the image. And her expression is priceless with the little wrinkles above her nose!

Overall, I can't find much wrong with this other than it's obviously not the kind of image the voters responded well to. So the only advice I can offer is don't always believe the voters and keep shooting!

--Kadi
(By the way, I'd love to see it again if you try a different post-process on it...please post it in the forums if you do.)

Flower love
by kijt

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. The following comments are in response to your request for a critique on your challenge submission. Please feel free to send me a PM concerning my comments.

First let me say that by now I'm sure you've realized that the voters feel your images are too small to really appreciate. There is a good tutorial on resizing images for DPChallenge submissions using PhotoShop. (Look under the "Learn" drop-down menu.) If you are using other software and need help maximizing you images a post in the forums will usually bring replies quite quickly.

The subject of this image seems to be a bee on yellow flowers. The color is strong and interesting. The depth of field keeps the bee in focus while beginning to blur the background.

The composition is rather ordinary. Placing the subject in the center of the frame tends to stop the viewer from exploring the rest of the image. One looks and says, oh it's a bee. Cropping down from the top and in from the right would help move the bee off center and would also eliminate the distraction of the cut-off flower at the top.

The background is blurry helping to keep the eye on the subject. But because there is so much color and texture detail in the background it fights for attention. Ideally you want to eliminate distraction by repositioning so there is a plainer background or waiting for the light to change so the background can be thrown into shadow.

The subject itself begs for the viewer to be closer. It's nice to enjoy the texture and detail of bugs. As a subject for the challenge...well, if the title says it's love it must me, right?

My rule of thumb on images is that everything necessary should be in the image and everything in the image should be necessary.

Overall, it's the sort of image almost everyone with a camera has taken at some time.

I hope you don't find my comments too harsh.
Keep shooting!
--Kadi

AWOL
by posthumous

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. The following comments are in response to your request for a critique on your challenge submission. Please feel free to send me a PM concerning my comments.

This image got a chuckle from me when I saw it in the challenge because I enjoy word play. My second thought, however, was that this is not a wall that can be climbed over... For me, this would have had a stronger connection with the challenge if it also portrayed an escape...if, for example, there was a wall (or fence) with a shread of clothing on it suggesting that someone had actually gone without permission...it would have a double meaning and second connection to the challenge.

The composition has an interesting graphic quality. I like to see this sort of play with lines and shapes. The falling snow gives it some dimension. However, because the white at the top of the frame has no definition, it is not clear at first if that is blown out sky or snow on a roof. It is only because I know this type of metal garage that I can deduce it is a roof. The line of the roof edge has creates an interesting pattern but I don't see the purpose in including much more than a sliver of the white above the edge. The lightness of that large white area pulls the eye away from the more interesting shapes and textures below.

I feel this lacks a true center of interest. The pattern is interesting but not strong enough to keep me looking for long. As a whole it has abstract interest in passing but nothing that really holds me there. The element that piques my curiosity most is the dents near the door...but that doesn't seem to be part of the story here.

Stronger lighting (nearly impossible during a snow storm) would have heighted the relief in the textures of the structure. Because this is taken during a snow fall, I have to ask what does the snow add? Would you know it as snow if you had never seen snow fall beside a red barn?

Overall, I'm left with the impression that the only reason for the image is the challenge. I think it needed something more to carry the viewer toward seeing what you were seeing. Out of the box? Yes. Creative thinking is good excercise in these challenges, isn't it.

Hope you don't find my comments too harsh.
Keep creating!
--Kadi