Towering Giants
by ErikV

Comment:
Nicely silhouetted shot. Paris???

Building Sydney
by Covert_Oddity

Comment:
Nice enough shot, and I really like the perspective and composition. I don't like the processing of the sky though... looks fake.

Come on over!!
by mm767cap

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

Overall your image did quite well in this challenge. A 6.3+ score is quite good, and there were very few votes below 5. While it did do quite well, there are some suggestions that I would make that I think would improve the image. I should mention though, that these are only my personal preferences, and I dont know if taking my suggestions would improve on your score, as you did do quite well.

First, I would have chosen a horizontal crop, to ensure that I did not cut off the end of the trunk. Also, I find the tight crop confining in this shot. Also, as mentioned in some of the comments, some find it oversharpened. Toning down the sharpness a tad would have kept your textures, but also kept the image feeling natural.

Overall, a very good photo, and I like that the tagline in the ad relates to the image.

VitaminB

Tiger-Boy: "I Love You, Mom."
by 777STAN

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

First, I would like to say that I like the photo. I think that the focus and sharpness is good, and I like the square crop. Some things that would improve a photo like this would be if you captured it with its eyes open, and had a better background.

While you didnt receive many comments, one of them did allude to the fact that they thought it was a shoehorn, and didnt relate to the challenge. While I personally think it does, as I would assume that any pet would imply friendship, I also understand that not all voters will agree with this interpretation of the challenge. So, that being writ, I think your score suffered because of voters treating this as DNMC.

But, also keep in mind that you got 3 votes of 10, so you struck a cord with some voters.

VitaminB

The Battle of Pea Ridge
by malenurse1979

Comment:
Greetings from Critique club

When I first saw your photo, before even reading what challenge it was from, I must say I do like it, and I feel it is well composed. Good example of how the rule of thirds can be applied to improve the composition of an image. The fence in the background also draws the eye to the subject nicely.

But, as the commenters mentioned, this doesn't meet the challenge in many viewers' eyes, mine included. My own understanding of still life is something that is inanimate, but also something that seems to have been put together intentionally by the photographer, such as arranging a number of items in a pleasing composition, and then photographing them.

So, while your photo is very good, the score suffered because of DNMC votes.

VitaminB

Precious Magic Box
by boone168

Comment:
Greetings from Critique Club

Technically, the shot is fine. It appears slightly overexposed in some areas, but I dont think that takes away from the image.

I agree with the comment about the stray thread. Because it is basic editing, you would not have been able to remove it in post processing, but it would have been nice to cut it off before shooting.

As for the subject, I find it a bit busy to be used as a stock image, and find that the chains seem to hang unnaturally from the box, as if it was posed, rather than left haphazardly hanging from the box. As one of the comments said, it lacks interest, and therefore doesnt inspire many high votes.

VitaminB

The Spice of Still Life
by davidtg

Comment:
Greetings from Critique Club

Overall, I like this photo, and think it is well composed. It would serve well as a stock image as well. The DOF is ideal for this image.

Some constructive criticism though, is that while the spice jar on the right is well lit, I find the one on the left, and the one in the center to be dark, as if in shadow. Not sure if this was due to the lighting set up, or the small aperture used. As a result, the foreground white appears a little gray. Perhaps a higher ISO may have corrected for this.

Overall a good result for your second photo on DPC.

VitaminB

Precious Mementos
by carlo

Comment:
Greetings from Critique Club

First, congratulations on your 10th anniversary!!! :)

I really like this photo, and find that the DOF and the colours are very strong. I didnt notice the shadows you referred to until I read your description, so I dont think they hurt the photo at all. Especially not for the 5 second voters.

Not sure why you had to go with manual focus though. I shoot with a Nikon as well, and can lock the focus on a certain point and move the camera to achieve the composition I want. Regardless, your photo is well focused, so I dont think it was an issue here.

I agree with mileskea about rotating the photo. The first thing I did when I saw the photo was start to tilt my head to try to read the invitation. I was tempted to turn my laptop upside down, but that would have looked funny.

VitaminB

Still of new life
by wimek

Comment:
Greetings from Critique Club.

I see that this is your first challenge entry. Welcome to DPC. I suppose it is fitting, because this is my first critique as a member of the critique club.

I think your photo lacks a strong subject. From your description, it is clear that you are trying to photograph the beauty in the everyday, and that the willow seeds are your subject. There are a few things that you can do to draw attention to it. First, get in close. Getting in close will fill more of the frame with your subject, so that other parts of the photograph dont compete for attention. Next, set your aperture wider (f3.5 on your lens for example), to decrease the DOF, making the background a blur, and isolating your subject.

I hope you are not discouraged by your score. My first entry wasn't that great either, but one can learn a lot from this place.

Hup Holland!!

Enjoy
by Quigley

Comment:
Nicely done Max, great score. I was convinced that this was Leo's image when I was previewing the thumbnails.