Man In Hat
by TheresaA

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

TECHNIQUE
The first thing I notice, after the guy with the hat and hookah (?) is the awkward perspective and tilt to the photo. This is generally a technical no-no and adds a very distracting element to a picture. Focus and exposure appear to be fine. I can't tell how the scene is lit but since it's apparently outdoors, it must be indirect daylight. Contrast is good but I think the colors could pop a little more.

COMPOSITION
You mention in your notes that you jumped out of your car and shot this so I gathered you must have been hurried and a little off balance. It does have the appearance of a quick snap. Depending on your distance and the resolution of your shot, I would have preferred a closer crop. He looks like a character, and as such, you want to emphasize his humanity. As shot, I can only barely distinguish any facial features. His push-cart also tells a story, but it's almost impossible to make out what he's carrying in there. The trash-can in the background is an unfortunate distraction. All the negative space around the guy subtly detracts from the purpose of the image.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
I believe this shot had great potential but it went unrealized due to the distance and distracting elements (trash can, unnecessary negative space). Shots of people are some of the highest rated on the site, but to achieve this, you need to get tight on your subject and capture the expressions, emotions, and drama of your subject. This guy obviously has all of these qualities, but they just don't come through in your shot. Your final score of 5.29 is not bad, but probably could have been much higher if you had really captured this guy. Your commenters were all over the place, which indicates that you struck some kind of a nerve with the voters - a good thing even though you pulled an average score.

Memories of Summer
by jimmythefish

Comment:
Beautiful composition. Lonely and somber. Gorgeous tones. Superb job all around.

Curves
by Sammie

Comment:
Wow. Gorgeous. The lines are incredible. The interplay of light and shadow, the tonal range. This is a winner in my mind. Beautiful job.

Charging...
by Elmakias

Comment:
That's the stuff Adam. This is the shot that convinced me that you needed to get yourself out there. This is an absolutely killer composition. Technically perfect with a moody atmosphere all over. Congrats. This shot rocks!

Strength Through Unity
by Imagineer

Comment:
Incredible job, but please, please give us a "photographer's comment" on how it was achieved!

Paint Pots
by photosense

Comment:
Simply wonderful. Technically flawless and filled with visual appeal. My hat is off.

Spiral of Colors
by TUBORG

Comment:
Absolutely beautiful. Artistic and eye-appeal out the wazoo. Kudos to you for creating such a wonderful image. Meets the challenge head-on in a unique way. A top 10 for sure.

Minority
by Baron152

Comment:
Nice idea and well executed, but I think the contrast could have been greater. The yellows could pop a little more too.

Message edited by author 2006-01-16 12:47:30.

Strength Through Unity
by Imagineer

Comment:
This is an enormously attractive image, lots of pop. I can't imagine how you pulled it off. Technique aside, it strikes me as particularly appealing. I think it'll show up in the top 10.

Made in China
by muur88

Comment:
This looks like you applied a selective blur to the non-flower portions of the arrangement. The effect is very nice, but the irregularity of the boundaries is a bit disconcerting.