Northface of Liberty Bell Group
by jbsmithana

Comment:
I know what you mean about editing on a laptop. But it's a dramatic scene and held up pretty well, even with the bold contrast. It got a good score from me.

I miss you in the Free Study Marathon, buddy.

A Delicate Balance
by njsabs

Comment:
In my entire life, I have seen few photos this good. Stunning falls way short of describing it. Creative is but a shadow of this out of the box creation. Jenn, I am so proud of you for taking this wonderful image, processing it just right, and sharing it with us.

In Space No One Can Hear You Crack
by mefnj

Comment:
So under-rated. Firstly a brilliant photo. Secondly, a brilliant parody. Thirdly, brilliantly funny.

I'm a recovering member of the Critique Club. Consider this a Critique.

In a flurry...
by PennyStreet

Comment:
Under-appreciated for sure! Posthumous, where are you?

building up wave by wave
by goclone

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

It looks like this is your second challenge entry. I hope you'll keep at it. It's fun, and if you're like me you'll learn a ton.

Now to the photo ... I didn't vote in this challenge but upon seeing the photo I liked it right away. I get tired of seeing the same old things here, and i appreciated your fresh subject. You did a nice job with focus and depth of field to isolate and showcase your subject and to bring out the various textures. The subject itself is interesting with the little ice-pad-feet for the branch. The composition is good, especially the placement of the branch above midline and the placement of the ice-pad-feet near the rule-of-thirds sweet spots.

Given the original, it's hard to imagine how you might process it differently to improve it. Maybe experiment with B&W or Sepia. Maybe try rotating for more of a diagonal composition. I like to experiment with images I like to see if I can improve them.

When you're shooting subjects like this, point of view is important. I try to shoot as many angles and perspectives as I can. Perhaps you did this and this is the one you liked best. But if not, try it next time and see if it doesn't give you more options.

I look forward to seeing more from you in the future.

a n i m a
by rooum

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

You seem pleased with the Brown ... so I'm happy for you. Van Gogh went unappreciated in his time. So maybe this is a multi-million dollar photo mid-century.

The photo has the feeling one gets very late at night after several too many glasses of Penderyn. I know from experience. It was obviously bespoke made by man, as was its subject. Sadly, it doesn't appeal to me much. I'm rambling on while I try to think of something positive to say ... As an abstract, it has very strong contrast. Seen in a museum from across the room, it would be dramatic and cause folks to wander over for a closer look. It feels to me like a cry of pain, pain created by a culture out of control, pain born from helplessness, and yet, pain not quite willing to surrender ... hence the hand.

Having read what I just wrote, it sounds like bullshit. I'm really sorry. I am at a loss what to say further.

I took a look at your portfolio and challenge entries. I find I do like much of what you've done. Many of your B&Ws and subtly toned images are really very good. Don't let my reaction to this photo get you down.

wall
by posthumous

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

I approach this critique with some trepidation. I respect you and all that you do at DPC. You've entered a hundred challenges a year for the last four years. What can I possibly tell you that you don't already know?

I didn't vote on this challenge, but my first reaction on seeing your photo was that it was in the wrong challenge. The tree was clearly made by nature, this is in the made by man challenge, therefore wrong challenge. I suspect the DNMC police voters did just as I did and as a result it didn't earn a very good average score.

As I looked more deeply, the texture of the wall grabbed my attention, and I said to myself, "well, that was made by man. So maybe it fits the challenge okay." And my vote would have gone up a couple of points. I fear few voters stayed long enough for the epiphany.

Back to the photo, I find the textures interesting and worth lingering over. The broken line in the wall is interesting. The strong horizontal crossing the strong vertical is interesting. You wanted to clone the twig, but if it were me, I'd leave it. It breaks the perfection of the snow and makes the photo more real somehow. The texture on the tree is different and complimentary with the texture on the wall. In some ways, the tree's texture is more perfect than the wall's. A commentary on the perfection of the works of man, perhaps?

It's a subtle image, that takes some teasing out to fully appreciate. But then, you've got a reputation for that and your reputation is untarnished.

Best of luck in the upcoming challenges. And thanks for all you do here!

The PSYCEDELIC WALL, LIKE WOW.BLOW YOUR MIND..brown ribbon special
by kiwinick

Comment:
I hate it when we program ourselves to fail ... and then revel in it.

Having said that, it's a decent abstract.

Foot Bridge
by Brent_S

Comment:
Congratulations. Great photo from my home town!

Boots, boots, boots
by irish_jemima

Comment:
Aptly titled. Composition works. But I'm not sure why I should be interested in the subject.