Guildford Hotel
by Qiki

Comment:
Hi from the Critique Club!

This image reminds me of those cynatype photographs of the past. Together with the subject and the word Heritage this indeed could be an old photograph.

The crispness and cleaness of this image really add to its appeal. There is so much detail to look at and hold the viewers attention for a while.

The dark left hand side of the building does break up the balance of the image a little.

The image does appear to be tilting a little, but that's part of the joy of photographing buildings:)

A really interesting negative, well done!

Capital Idea
by bobdaveant

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

First of all, I had to do a double take when I first saw this image- I couldn't believe it was a negative!

The wonderful tones and contrast make me think of a lovely, velvety smooth bar of chocolate, that I want to indulge my senses in.

The repeating patterns of the architecture, create a wonderful rhythm and are aesthetically pleasing. None of the detail has been lost in the negative version, it's crisp and clean.

Compositionally, there is a lovely balance between positive and negative space.

I can't really fault this!

The Juggler
by liebe

Comment:
Hi from the Critique Club!

This is a really dramatic image. There are great dynamics happening here: My eye was immediately first drawn to the pin at the top, which really stands out against the black. The eye then searches for the middle pin, then finally the bottom one - so the eye is drawn down the image. Once at the bottom, our attention shifts to the tree and then that building, which draws the eye dramatically up the the image, to begin the process over again. This circular movement of the eye mimics the circular movement of juggling, giving it an added dimension.

The symbolism I see in your image is that the building represents big business. On each floor there are many employees 'juggling' with the demands of work and family.

The perspective you chose to shoot from really helps make this image powerful.

The focus and DOF are well executed, capturing both the motion, tree and building.

The man's trousers are perhaps too bright in this negative version, but the rest of the image is so dynamic that it doesn't distract too much.

flower
by landing duck

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

I can see what attracted you to this subject for the challenge, a beautiful, brightly coloured flower which stands out from its muted background, and makes us take notice.

I can only echo the comments made by the voters:

The image is on the small size, and while it shouldn't really matter, it does. It is the first thing poeple will notice, and we like them big here:)Being smaller than the average, you have unfortunately already taken the focus off the image itself.

Meeting the challenge description also counts, and on my monitor the dominant colours here are Yellow and Orange, which as others have pointed out, are not complementary colours. But as you have not left details for your image it is hard to know what you were aiming for.

I think you would have created more impact perhaps by moving in closer and filling the frame with your subject. Do a 'Flower' search here in the galleries and see how others handle this subject, for ideas for the future.

Consider the lighting on your subject before you press that button. Try looking through the viewfinder at your subject from different angles, see what looks best. On your image you have a shadow across the flower, which is possibly distacting, but I think it has helped fool your camera when it comes to exposure, as the right hand petal has blown highlights, so that we cannot see the detail of that petal.

I really look forward to seeing your next challenge entry. Good luck!

1/2 a Man
by movieman

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

This is an interesting, deceptively subtle image, that holds the attention and suggests a story: Has the man at the window been chasing or searching for someone and has finally found them inside? Or, has he stumbled upon something illicit? The expression on his face gives little away and leaves us guessing.
Actually, the longer I look at it, the more I feel that 'I' as the viewer am looking out of a hiding place, and I feel trapped. This feeling is intensified by the man's stare and the fence just visible behind him.

The wood around the window is not prefectly square, but looks as though it is leaning over through tiredness or old age...again it creates interest for the viewer.

The 1/2 on the wall is intriguing and I want to know what is written below it, what it means, who wrote it. In a wonderful moment of observation you have echoed the 1/2 on the wall with the 1/2 of the man. Again creating interest for the viewer.

The black and white works well here adding to the story feel. There is a good range of tones and nice contrast.

Technically this is a really difficult one to get right as far as correct exposure is concerned and it seems some voters considered the background to be blown out. However I agree with Larus, I like it. My eye was led straight to the subjects eye, the BG did not distract me at all.

A really intriguing image

Oliver
by docurrie

Comment:
Hi from the Critique Club!

This image immediately evokes feelings of calm and relaxation. It paints a picture of the idylic country life. It gives you a warm glow inside.

The frame acts brilliantly as a border and draws the viewer's eye straight into the picture, creating a sense of depth and leading us straight to the horse's eye.

The colours of the wooden frame are echoed in the colours of the horse.Creating a lovely sense of balance and 'rightness'. These lovely, soft earthy tones are balanced well by the blue of the harness.

The lighting has a lovely soft glow to it, like the last moments of a sunny day. This is enhanced by the use of blur.

The blur is what split the voters, and is a subjective decision. You can only create images to please yourself and not others. Only you know what you wanted the image to convey, and I think this is exactly the way you intended the photograph to be. So well done!

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 23:25:15.

Life is a journey, not a destination
by whiteroom

Comment:
I love the effect here - you can't see what's behind him because it's in the past! Love the soft subdued colours too.

He who lives by the sword dies by the sword
by jsolsona

Comment:
I really like the use of the border - bold, creative and refreshing!10

Time is running out!
by arnit

Comment:
Brilliant and creative! 10

Far from the madding crowd
by Brin

Comment:
Really nice!