IMG_9344.jpg
by Ecce_Signum

Comment:
Monique, looking at your first entry here at dpc you'll do just fine with that set up and most likely wipe the floor with me ;)

The Little and Furious
by Tiberius

Comment:
Am not voting in this challenge (have to vote to leave a comment so will make it a 6 but it won't count). I thought and thought (and thought) about getting a four2 then fell in love with my BRC Xclusive. I'm the mad grinning guy that waves with the top down every time I see another smart. Smart by name and Smart by nature ;)

Bachelor of Design ( with honours)
by Ecce_Signum

Comment:
Thank-you all for your comments, here is a poem that, well, brings me to tears each time I read it yet is so fitting for my baby.

The Rose Beyond the Wall

Near a shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by the morning dew,
Shedding it's sweetness day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength
With never a thought of fear or pride,
It followed the light through the crevice's length
And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before,
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing it's fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint and fall?
Nay! Let us faith and hope receive--
The rose still grows beyond the wall,

Scattering fragrance far and wide
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forevermore.

~ A. L. Frink ~

Sheena - African Leopard
by talj

Comment:
Now, this is a blast from the past T! I remember just how stoked you were when you sent this shot to me, it is one fine shot of a wonderful preditor.

Service with a smile
by alpharich

Comment:
Hi from the Critique Club Richard :)

My first viewing of this shot was that it would be a great 'employee of the month' or even advertising shot (especially if the company name was displayed) the shelves in the background make me think of the Tesco bakery?

You have a good seperation of the model and background but overall I think the image is a little flat though your models hair and eyes stand out, as does her expression, she seems proud to work there.

IMHO this would have scored better in an Environmental Portrait challenge, B&W is like an open challenge and to score well you need more impact.

It may just have scored 4.9 here but I'm sure your model will be delighted with it!

'The Believer'
by talj

Comment:
Definately not a Talj shot! In the right challenge I think this would have scored much higher (I think you had the shoehorn out for this T).

Am not sure about the zoom blur on your fingertips but other than that I'm impressed with your new found PP skills (learnt at school?). Until I read the comment below I thought this was 2 of your hands - is it a mirror? Am looking forword to seeing more of the same T :)

My Best Friend
by talj

Comment:
sadly A - I'm not always beating you in challenges now and B - am I realy that grey? and I agree with Keith, B&W might work better.

'Flower Power'
by talj

Comment:
I knew it was only a matter of time T - a BIG congratulations to you for a well deserved ribbon :) It couldn't have happened to a nicer person (and not a bad photographer to boot!)

Well done you XxX

How to reconize the different moods of a siberian husky
by Johnnyflash

Comment:
Thoughts from Ecce, with his critique club hat on
Hi Rodney and congratulations on your highest scoring image (thus far), it will take some work to keep your average above 5.8 but I'm sure you'll do it ;) To be fair I can't really critique this as a photograpgh (the picture of the dog is just too small)so I will give my thoughts as a challenge entry.

Composition
You said it was last minute but just a little more time to position the dog more evenly would have improved this greatly imo.

Technical
Once again, difficult to comment as there are no real technical things to comment on (other than positioning of copies)

Aesthetics, Challenge effectiveness
To be honest although I've seen his cartoons before I never realised they were Gary Larson cartoons and I must admit this entire challenge was fun to view. Yes, it fits the challenge well and yes, I had a good chuckle (you could easily replace the dog with all manner of subjects). Overall its a fun 'poster' that closely follows the remit and worthy of its top 20 finish (probably would have been higher if it was better positioned).

Well done and looking at you have a great subject to shoot :) I'd call this one menacing!

Should Have Stayed Awake In Geometry Class
by nickb

Comment:
Thoughts from Ecce, with his critique club hat on

Hi Nick and congratulations on your (current) highest scoring shot!

Composition
My only thought for improving the composition would have been a slightly lower angle without adding sky to the shot for a little more impact? as is however, for me the composition is just about perfect.

Technique
Its basic editing so you can't do much. I'm guessing the sky was really bad and levels/curves made it white? helps make the shot look cleaner.

Aesthetics, Challenge effectiveness
Even though (as you say) conditions were not right I'm wondering if you could have boosted the colours a little more? Does it fit the challenge? certainly, and better than many imho. This is a prime example of 'fitting the challenge' helps ones score more than a technically better picture being shoehorned into a challenge, its not a truly 'WOW' shot but perfect for the challenge. A great find and I'm left wondering how workers manage with a coffee cup on their desks?