Eat Your Vegetables!
by freakin_hilarious

Comment:
* Greetings from the Critique Club *

Hi Nathan. I love this photo. I think it's the dominant green colour that grabs my attention. It meets the challenge well and is exposing enough to identify what it is.

Your focus looks spot on and the photo keeps drawing me into the little spike in the lower right. Your processing work is subtle enough to not 'over-do' it but adds a sort of inner glow to the artichoke. A very positive addition. I also like the idea of the vignetting and helps to sort of close up the image, especially in the lower part. It's hard to tell what other crops you could of used without seeing the original but the framing looks solid.

All up this image had a great performance with the voters and did very well for you. You did a nice job with the post processing and you should be proud of this one. I'm glad to see there is a print available too. Well done!

Neil

Sun or sliced ?
by FocusPoint

Comment:
* Greetings from the Critique Club *

Hi Leo! Wow. This photo didn't seem to appeal to the voters at all. I think it may of been a little too abstract perhaps?

One thing I noticed about the winning photos in this challenge was that you could still make out what the photos were of whereas in your entry it's really difficult to even suggest what it may be. I'm trying to say this in a way that doesn't sound too mean but there's not a lot that appeals in this photo.

It's really hard to say whether the focus is right or not because of the subject but if I was to say anything it would be that the top of the photo seems more in focus than the lower half. The texture is interesting and works well in that regard. The blown highlight where the light is shining through I don't find adds any excitement.

All up, I think you gathered it was a photo that wasn't going to score too well maybe? Obviously voters didn't find it appealing and that's where it fell down. I think looking through your portfolio it's fair for me to say that it's not one of your better photos but we learn from these experiences. Keep at it and best of luck in future challenges!

Neil

NeoSicles - The Popsicle Revolutions
by Schuff

Comment:
* Greetings from the Critique Club *

Hi Jason. I got visions of Homer Simpson and the nuclear plant when I first saw this. As Shutterpug said, looks very biohazardous.

This was a great idea to attempt to capture. I find it hard to locate the main point of focus though. The front popcicles look soft. I would of tried a different DOF to try and get a larger focal area.

With the framing that you have used it looks like the popcicle on the right is very out of place as it doesn't seem to line up well with the others. It just seems to be sitting off to the side, if you know what I mean. Perhaps you could of cropped it out of the frame altogether?

You seemed to get a mixed response from your comments about the border. I'm a big border fan so it doesn't distract me at all.

All up I just don't think it really clicked with a lot of the voters but it ended up with a nice even spread of votes. Well done and good effort. Best of luck in future challenges.

Neil

Message edited by author 2006-07-30 02:23:54.

Fritzi
by aKiwi

Comment:
Fantastic low key shot. One of my favourites that I've seen from the Europe GTG. Well done!

by Chilibean

Comment:
Excellent self portrait. I may have liked to have seen slightly more contrast than what you added but that's just me. It'd just be nice to see the blacks (especially the eye liner) to be a lot darker. It's a fantastic crop that you've used. Well done!

Passion Fruit
by Canadian_eh

Comment:
* Greetings from the Critique Club*

Hi Ben. First up, congratulations on your highest scoring image. I've always preferred the 'less is more' style of photograph and this is a classic example. You obviously put in a lot of effort to get this one.

The colours are striking and you resisted from the 'too much saturation' syndrome which can happen with images like this. I find the blacks of the seeds and around the strawberry seem a little strange looking, almost painted on. It could be from the PP perhaps.

Your framing and focus are good. I've been sitting here trying to look at your lighting as the shadow looks a bit wierd in that it seems 'cut off' on the edge. I could be just being picky here though.

All up, it's a great simple photo and it was received very well. Good stuff. Best of luck in your future challenges.

Neil

Unsound
by Canadian_eh

Comment:
I agree with doctornick. Maybe try a re-crop to have you off centred a bit. Nice overall contrast. Well done!

Stranded..
by lentil

Comment:
Such a tranquil image. Very peaceful. I like the framing of the boats and the distant island/hill in the background shrouded in mist/rain! Very well done!

Saving Private Ryan
by judojoe

Comment:
Hehe....classic!!

Big Boys Toys
by Judi

Comment:
A great idea! Congrats on another top 10!