New, Improved, Graduated RD (Rainbow Density) Filter
by GeneralE

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.

TECHNIQUE
This is a very unique image, one where the usual technical benchmarks are hard to judge. Color saturation is certainly rich. Focus on the mono background is adequate.

COMPOSITION
Wow. What to say? It's a very interesting and different concept. I love the idea behind the image. I can see that the leaves behind the filter are green but the effect is very subtle. I believe the intent of the image is to show that this magical filter somehow imbues color to an otherwise drab BW image. If so, I'd have punched out the greens until they nearly popped out the top. But how to achieve this and preserve the colorful rainbow filter?? I imagine that this is what you struggled with in post processing as well. As shot, it takes some time to appreciate and I'm wondering how many DPC voters invested the time necessary to appreciate such an image.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
The more I think about it, I wonder if you would have better served this concept by muting the filter colors and jacking up the tree-green?? I can't decide. I think it would have had more initial impact if this had been the way. As presented, the filter captures the eye quickly and the background trees seem almost an afterthought. The conceptual foundation of the image is wonderful, but the execution probably lacks that 'pop' that DPC voters seem to expect and demand.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Your commenters were mixed with most liking the concept and a few missing the point entirely. Given your final score of 4.9, I'm guessing most voters gave it a quick look, didn't see the point, voted low and moved on. Same sad story. This is a very strong concept and one that, shot a little differently, probably would have pushed six or higher.

moon1.16.05.jpg
by strangeghost

Comment:

Originally posted by macrothing: Looks like an 'issue' on the left side of this one.

Wha?

Nuns On The Run
by Coley

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.

TECHNIQUE
Good, clean looking image with great color saturation, contrast; good focus and sharpness, considering you're probably shooting from a moving vehicle, and perfect exposure. Technically excellent.

COMPOSITION
it's a little awkward the way you've cut off the back of the van, and a little of the open doorway, but I see the reasoning - trying to get the background scenery in for the blur, having the van appear to come out of the left and move through the photo. It has a very dynamic feel. The models are posed excellently, with an edge and attitude. I recognized this shot as your work immediately. Your girls - and your van - have appeared in some memorable DPC photos. Your composition is capped with a wonderful touch of humor in the title.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
The intent is clearly humor, and it's humor you've managed to communicate. I'd love for the expressions to be a little clearer on the facts, harkening back to the unforgettable "good habits, bad habits" shot from an earlier challenge. I can just see enough to tell that the same expressions are present here, but without the big impact that comes from having their faces so prominently displayed. So you can tell that my response to your picture is colored somewhat by my memory of an earlier work of yours. How does it play with the average, uninitiated voter?? My guess is that this would be a middle-of-the-road shot, probably in the mid to high fives. Clever and well done, but without the punch of the unmistakable DPC "wow" factor.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Your comments were almost overwhelmingly favorable and only two outright recognitions of your previous work. Given the positive nature of the comments, I'm a little surprised at your 5.5 finish, though that's in the range that I predicted. Good work. This was an enjoyable image to critique!

Message edited by author 2006-07-05 23:48:05.

Sunset Indulgence
by Strikeslip

Comment:
Wow, this photo is a stunning achievement. Way to go Slippy!!

Broad Bill and Lantana
by scrum8

Comment:
Wonderful shot.

Hummingbird Profile
by Marjo

Comment:
Simply gorgeous.

Greyledge Falls
by SJCarter

Comment:
This was one of my favorites of the challenge SJ, extremely artistic and evocative.

KahBOOM
by owen

Comment:
Amazing capture Owen. Beautiful low light angle and dynamic explosion of water.

Cruising
by LalliSig

Comment:
You shot this from the trunk of a car?? You're nuts man, and one of the best on the site. Nice shot!

Nicky Hayden, winner of the Dutch TT MotoGP
by Azrifel

Comment:
One of my favorites of the challenge Zander. Excellent capture!