Surfin' U.S.A.
by joannadiva

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.

I like the take you have for this challenge. Of course something like this doesn't get the high votes but is that what you really intended. The message for me is that the only sport most americans particpate in is channel surfing. I have to agree, but anyway lets talk a little about the photo. You comment on the grain, I think the problem is your ISO. Do you have anyway of setting manually on the camera? If you do, set for the lowest ISO available. This will lenghthen your exposure time but may help eliminate some grain. Like I said, I like what you are trying to convey with the photo. But I have two questions. 1) Is it absolutlely necessary to have the videos in the back ground? I see the remote so I can assume the person is watching TV. Eliminate the videos and I think you have nicely composed photo. 2) Why not b/w instead of the blueish look? It may have given a little more contrast. Again I think removing the background videos(clutter) and going black and white would make this a visually stronger in my opinion. It still wouldn't when this particular challenge but may have scored better on technical merit. Good luck in future challenges.

Leading the Pack
by RiderGal

Comment:
Tough competition this week but this one is still my favorite of the week. I knew this one was yours. You have taken some fantastic sports shots. Good luck with future challenges.

Taking a Break
by Ten13

Comment:
I think a tighter shot of the break would have been better. The table in the background doesn't add anything to the photo in my opinion. I do like the motion on the balls though. Good luck in the challenge.

Leading the Pack
by RiderGal

Comment:
Lots of field hockey photos this week but this is the best hands down and I've got to say best Sports shot of the week as well. Great composition, color, focus and action. Good luck, I predict top 3 finish here.

Message edited by author 2003-09-22 00:05:00.

I stuck I stuck
by pookey83

Comment:
Truly meets the spirit of the challenge. Not the best photo technically but it is a photo that I am sure will bring back good memories to you in the future. Very funny and thanks for sharing:)

Lesson one: Remove bench before bikeriding
by christyrack

Comment:
I would like to have seen the next frame. Did he really hit the bench? I don't know maybe it is the angle but it looks like he is clear of the bench to his left by a few inches. Still a very good capture.

Just got here from Siberia
by kenbo

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
I personally think this photo has more potential. I agree with Karen that this photo would be much stronger if it were rotated CCW. I also think it needs to be sharper. What about taking a picture of just on of those logs? To me that would've shown more character. You did fill the frame with your subject though so you did meet the challenge. I apologize if this critique seems a bit harsh but looking through your profile I see some wonderful photos and I think this one just missed the mark for me. Good luck in future challenges I look forward to seeing more. Cheers.

flower cluster
by shutterfly

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
This is a nice photo. But my first impression is that I'd rather see one of these flowers fill the frame instead of a bunch of them. Also I think if you are going to fill the frame with your subject it should all be in focus or all of it out of focus. The colors are nice to look at, wouldn't change that. Even though I like this photo on its own as part of the fill the frame challenge I think it would have been better to focus on just one of the flowers. Good work and good luck in other challenges.

A growing trend.
by Diversq

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. Congratulations on your first place ribbon. Being the son of an obese father I know and feel this all to well. This is a splendid photo, nice composition, DOF, and colors. What really makes it stand out is the sad truth about it and that this is a real problem. Great capture and good luck in future challenges.

Window Shopping at the Antique Shop
by OneSweetSin

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club. I like how all of the Florida colors compliment each other. I agree with most of the commenters that the reflection is distracting. Maybe a polarizing filter would have worked, they usually eliminate reflections. I'm also not sure why you cut off the right side of the chair. I would have liked to see the whole chair. Also, there is nothing on the left side of the photo that adds to this photo. I would have cropped out that little bit. Anyways, nice idea here that fell a little short I think because of composition and the reflection. Good luck in future challenges.