War Monument
by morpurgo

Comment:
It is perhaps unfortunate that I cannot read the text of the monument which might hold a translated immediate and apparent link to the context of decision. Without that text, the image I see is one of respect, possibly mourning or remembrance, but I would not add a keyword like decision to the description of the photo's story.

The image itself is likable, seemingly balanced by the elements of foreground, center interest and then background, the flow caused by the positioning of the monument leads the eye through the story, but there are some fatal flaws that were probably introduced in compression, resizing and sharpening that detract from the whole. Jaggies on the angles and the white shirts in the center abound. The shirts and top of the flat monument seem way overexposed and the rest of the lighting seems to leave a less-than-3dimensional fell to the image. In this case, the only suggestion for improvement that I could offer would be to not sharpen the larger image beofre resizing and then only slightly sharpen once resized, or sharpen large and save, then undo the sharpen before resizing. This may have prevented the harsh contrasts in the areas where lighter objects halo'd into darker areas. I offer this image a 4. Weak challenge link, good design, harsh lighting and post processing.

tattoo
by fauxreal

Comment:
The decision to have a design painted on you or to pick the particular art is an exceptional concept, however without the knowledge of the challenge woudl I find myself placing a keyword like decision on this image? My answer is no. It is one more on the lines of invoking pain or artistry. The blueish green gloves in fact push me into the realm of safety for the artist for they must be careful nowadays.

I see little in the way of composition that would lead me to return to this image unless it was found in a textbook illustrating the tools or the need for protection in the industry, however there is a subtle balance in the choice of crop and the positioning of elements that indicates a great eye.

Perhaps to better illustrate the decision, the image should have been of the discussion ensuing as the person and artist looked over the many options hanging on the wall or in the book. That image would have invoked a sense of impending thought and a decision to be made on the part of the people the image told the story about. For me unfortunately, I find a weak link to the story of decision in this image and find that compared to the other entries I rate this at a 4.

Message edited by author 2005-06-08 00:33:55.

Rhino
by Baas

Comment:
I look at this image and think how so many will say there is no link to this challenge, but cannot help myeslf to be influenced by the expression that this rhino seemingly has on his face. The lips seem pursed in wonder, the eyes: squinted with worry lines above and below, the stance is reticent. Were this a human subject with an expression like this one would be forced to agree that the person was deep in thought, potentially making a hard decision. For the expression alone then, I grant a solid link to the challenge request.

The image quality is superb. I see nothing that looks like a completely blown highlight. The subject is clear and in focus, the background muted by DOF and the composition is very balanced. Even the border accents the whole. I then look to my benchmark images and consider that this image rates right up there with them, it is not a benchmark image for me, but compared to those benchmarks it's quality and finesse deserves a 10. Bravo for taking an abstract concept and capturing it for me in a unique way that given some imagination really embraces the challenge of decision!

My Nation
by sandeepviswa

Comment:
This image with or without the title tells me the story of a blurred image. Perhaps I would think of a flag after awhile, however the support structure would then place the flag at half-mast which seems odd to produce an image from with such an abstract blur. This however is the redeeming quality of the image. The blur and colors come off abstract, not as an unfortunate side-effect of mishandling the camera, so there is an interest factor that comes into play for this viewer. Where the image fails is in its communication of a decision or of decision making (except in the choice to shoot a motion blur to purposely become abstract). Some redeeming quality here, but not enough to push this image into a higher bracket against the 'obvious' decisions. I offer a 4 for abstract interest and the photographer's 'decision'

Year, style and color decisions
by AJFI

Comment:
A great car collection. The centered image does not suffer greatly when considering the presence of the other cars, but it does come off flat due to the straight on shot down the grill. This is well exposed on all levels, but the challenge link comes off very weak. Without the title it would take me years to guess that decision was the challenge it was submitted to. Considering the story this image tells, combined with technicals, I can offer a 4.

Wish he hadn't decided to cross my path...
by solarys

Comment:
Superstition. A hard thing to sell decision with as some would not see the link from just the image. Without the title, I saw only a cat, in fact I had not even told myself a black cat (wonder if it crossed my path).... An interesting concept idea that unfortunately missed this viewer. Detail in the whole is good, nice sharp lines and the flooring is great for subtle leading, however the fact that the back half of the cat is cropped out of the picture, seriously detracts from the composition. Considering placement of other entries that stood on their own with technicals and the ability to communicate the challenge to me, I can only offer a 3 on this image.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?
by twm122

Comment:
This image's concept seems to be hurt by the presence of the high fence and the highlights on the base that make this runner appear to be coming from home plate and heading to first. It does not appear to be a decision at all, but an action that naturally ensues after releasing the bat. Redemption comes on her face. There is a look of confusion/thought there that could indicate she is trying to decide if she is doing something the right way. That for me links this image to the challenge. A much lower DOF to try and blur the background out and a bit of spot metering closer to the most well lit area would have put much more emphasis on the runner and her expression eliminating the distracting elements and pushing this image into a higher bracket of communicating the 'decision'. Bumping to a 5.

TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK- THAT IS THE QUESTION.
by INFOCUSPHOTO

Comment:
Although the lighting and color balance come off harsh in this image, it strikes me as interesting and almost nostalgic. It is well cropped and composed, but without its title it would be a postcard from another time or a statement of paradox with the drink and the cross. Without the title this image would never invoke decision to me, however to many it very well could, especially those who are moment-by-moment challenged by just that type of decision. Comparing to the other entries however in comminication decision to this viewer, I must place this at a 4, redeemed by interesting composition.

My jump - My decision - My thrill
by hvellur

Comment:
Fun, exhillaration, happiness, motion. This image without its title does not tell me a story of decision. It is a well shot image and a creative use of stop motion and emotion, but to me lacks in communicating the requested subject. Because of the technicals of a good composition, great emotive capture and vibrant coloring, I can offer a 4.

Give 'Em A Buck?
by RebAl

Comment:
I like the gradiated lighting from left to right and the sharpness of the change in tones, compared to the cement wall's seemingly blended shading. This said, without the title, the image's story sould say to me a couple guys on a street corner or under a bridge, playing music - and where's the guy who's supposed to be playing the drum? It does not alone tell me a story of making a decision or its effect. The open case, does hint at it, but is a stretch. For good technicals and the limited invocation of 'decision', compared to other entries I offer a 4.