Staring into the Ocean
by kmbr2001

Comment:
Hi-ho from the Critique Club...

This is a classic 'Subject looking away into distance' portrait, which you've pulled off quite well.

Your composition is good, with the 1/3rds rule applied quite well and the subject staring into the photo, rather than out of it.

As a couple of comments noted the shadows on the eyes are a little distracting. A portrait often works better with good light in/around the eyes. Possbily some fill flash, or a white reflector placed below the subject (Big bit of white paper would do it) to bounce some light up. On a beach you get often the effect from the sand anyway, but the sun is quite bright from above in this case.

I personally don't mind the blue, it is quite a bright colour compared to the rest of the shot, and certainly grabs my attention, but there is enough detail in the face to avoid getting 'stuck' on it. The background is not distracting, and adds just the right level of context to the photo. Your subject is looking out to sea, and my eyes tend to follow the line of his gaze, re-enforced by the strip of darker land in the background.

The only thing I don't like here is the post-processing you've used. There appears to be a 'fringe' around the blue hoody, and the detail in the sand has a slight 'double vision' look about it. You've softened the background but unfortunatley created a distraction at the same time. Generally you don't want editing to compete with the subject for attention in a portrait.

Overall a nice shot, with only a few minor negatives for me.

Cheers, Chris H.

Windows to the Soul
by elsapo

Comment:
:-). Your Muse has great eyes....

The dark in the bottom right corner isn't quite working for me though, it seems to detract a bit... Maybe a lighter top / Skin or a tighter crop.. Still a stunning headshot. 8

One Last Feat
by rosco

Comment:
Hi-ho from the Critique Club...

This is an interesting subject, but in really difficult light. Possibly morning or evening light would have been better?

The sky in the background, and the water behind is a little over exposed, which will be because you were trying to keep the detail in the front of the boot. The bright sky and water keeps my eye away from the focus of the photo, the boots. Even the sunlight on the rock in the foreground is a little distracting.

You've got down to the boots level, and created an image rather than just taking the boot as you saw them from eye level which is great, but I think because you've got them smack dab in the middle of the frame it's not as interesting as it might have been.

A possible fix to the light would be to use fill-flash, or use a white bit of paper or cardboard to reflect some sunlight onto the 'front' of the boot. If you've got one a fancy fold up reflector would be good, but white paper does just as well. This would allow you to keep the detail in the boot without over exposing the background elements as much.

You're on the right track with this shot, you've focused right in on the object you intended, and your focus and DOF are good..

Cheers, Chris H.

Constans
by heida

Comment:
Excelent lighting, and well posed. Possily just having a bit more ofthe right arm out of shadow? Dunno, but this is well done. .. 8

show off
by fenk132

Comment:
!?! ROFL... I gotta find out where this beach is so I can avoid it. :-).

Conjoined
by CorySmith

Comment:
This is a nice group portrait, but what's with the shadows? Not a bad thing for me, but just looks a little odd.. 6

The Frivoulous Sisters
by Artyste

Comment:
Lovely...

The blur of the girl on the right is great, the focus on the left, the light is flattering, catchlights are interesting, colour is muted (Slightly desaturated?) Nice neutral background.

I hope this does well.. The technical nit-pickers on DPC probably wont like the blur, but I think it's great.. In contrast to the other girl it's what makes this photo alive.

9

Snapshot
by aznym

Comment:
Holiday Snaps on a cell phone... .

Well spotted, and good timing getting hte chap 'squatting'.

Big Kid, Little Kid
by scalvert

Comment:
I gotta get me those tee shirts... :-)

Summer Shower
by Links 2 3 4

Comment:
I love the drop comming of the petal on the left.. Great colour, composition, everything... Very neat.