Flame
by Pangurban

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that fulfils the challenge brief fully

Well you had some of your commenters foxed Ellie, so you have achieved the challenge brief. Your composition with the hook in the prominent position it is for me reveals it as the subject matter. �What else could I have done to sharpen this on a dull day?� Well, you are close to maximum aperture, a smaller aperture would have given you a deeper DOF thus making more of your subject sharper, to compensate for the slower shutter speed you would have needed to increase the ISO and also reflecting some natural light back into the subject could have helped too.

Eagle Fishing In 1 Second
by TommyMoe21

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A great sequence that fulfils the challenge brief fully

What a remarkable sequence of images Tom, well done for these great images and also for your well deserved blue ribbon. The timing of grabbing the fish and it still submerged to the subsequent shots has captured the essence of the action really well at the crucial point. All shots are nicely focused with the action frozen with just a hint of blurring in the wingtips which is perfect I don't like to see everything frozen like a cutout. Congratulations Tom.

Stairs Deform
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the open challenge well

As I scroll down to reveal the image I'm looking at I try to guess whose image it is, I correctly guessed it was your Marcel. An interesting viewpoint that reveals a perspective that would probably not normally be noticed, well done for your 'seeing'. It would have been good to have biting sharpness right into the corners, especially the bottom left which may have been possible with a different focal point or smaller aperture or a combination of both

The Drink
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the open challenge well

Well done Ronnie, the HM reflects (excuse the pun) the quality of your lovely image. I love the subtle pastel shades in the background and reflections on the water, beautiful. You have these lovely shots well and truly nailed Ronnie, there's not a lot more I can add...

In The Key of Julia
by eckoe

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the open challenge well

Oh Robert, you was robbed! Score aside, I'm disappointed for you that you didn't get any comments. I like the model's pose and the way we get to see most of her face projection free. I also like the projection idea, though the execution does let it down a little. I would definitely have cropped the right of the image quite close to her elbow to get rid of the inconsistent lighting. I like the silhouette of her shadow on the left, if the brightest part of the light had coincided with her breast it would have emphasised her shape even more to give it added impact. It's a shame her tattoo and accoutrements clashes with the projection, without it the effect would be much better. Towards that end I think a square crop just at the level of her right arm would be more effective.

Steer roper's horse
by snaffles

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes to the open challenge well

Susan, I'm sorry for your disappointment but also I'm sure you had much stronger shots than this from the past year? It does emphasise how a strong (or weak) viewpoint can completely transform the image. I think I know where you are coming from, sometimes I too have images that I see in a different way seeing strengths in it that others can't, it would be interesting if you want to talk it through?

Good Morning Joshua Tree
by TommyMoe21

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the open challenge well

A pleasing image, your composition works well with the distant tree within the space of the foreground tree, I disagree with the square crop suggestion this works better for me. I like your starburst sun but it feels rather insignificant perhaps an even smaller aperture may have increased its size and impact. I do not like the red border at all, it doesn't work for me, sorry, A good image otherwise well done Tom

Eyes Without a Face ~ Billy Idol
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the open challenge well

What a lovely image Janine. The mono processing works really well. I love the perspective and compression in this its absolutely lovely. I like your portrait orientated composition it really stretches those slender trunks for all they're worth. Its all a delightful image, a great title too, nicely done.

Crater Catch
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the open challenge well

Well done Ronnie, your edging ever closer to that top spot in the Free Study! And what a well deserved placing, an excellent action shot. It's perhaps a shame the fish is so small but it can be seen. I think your use of the flash has worked very well enabling you get good sharp action freezing, I wait with baited breath to see what further delights await us�!

The weight of the drop of water
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the open challenge well

A nicely executed macro Marcel. Your drop is nicely sharp and well focused, I think perhaps the leaf is a little long and the DOF a shade too small although it could be argued that softness in the leaf helps emphasise the drop itself. I think you could have increased its impact and appeal by including something, say a soft focus flower, in the background that could have given you a sharply focused inverted image of itself in the drop. The black or any plain background isolates it without distraction but, as a result, it also lacks interest.