Playtime is over after 6 months
by Frank Beckman

Comment:
Critique Club
Composition-Content
This is a beautiful sunset, unfortunately it wasn't strong on the before and after theme, except for the title. I think that this would have done MUCH better in the cliche challenge. However, DPC isn't the be all and end all of photography (though I often forget that!) and you have taken a stunning picture, which would be fantastic blown up and put on the wall. Your composition is great, with the silhouetted playground in the front, contrasting well with the vibrant colours of the sky. Perhaps a tiny amount of rotation would have got the land perfectly straight. Also might have cropped off half a cm off the right to get rid of the tree/building.
Background
The sky is absolutely stunning, absolutely beautiful colours and textures.
Technical
You have exposed well for the sky, getting both the light and dark balanced perfectly. The use of silhoutte is great.
My Opinion
I can see your meaning of before and after here, but unfortunately maybe the link isn't obvious enough. This is a beautiful shot though and a very well captured sunset. Good Luck in the next challenge.

Self Portrait
by jjbeguin

Comment:
Absolutely fantastic picture! What amazing lighting! Truly artistic. Congrats on 2nd place

Cute as a Bugs Ear
by Sonifo

Comment:
I thought that this was a really fantastic picture, one of the best baby pictures I have ever seen, really think that this should have been in the top three! Congrats on 7th though!

The Unheard
by Antithesis

Comment:
Critique Club
Composition-Content
A very unique and original idea, great picture! I like the way that you have framed the person in the square and in that way you have met the challenge. Content is great, which absolutely makes the picture, quite an eerie shot, the whole person at the window thing is staight out of a horror movie! Don't worry, not too much like a pig! The image of the person at the window is pretty abstract, but there is enough detail to show the viewer what it is.
Technical
Lighting is good here, enough light to capture the detail of the face. Perhaps the lighting on the window frame could be a bit brighter, especially as the square should be emaphasised to fit the challenge. Along the same lines, the focus is a little soft on the window frame, perhaps this could be a bit sharper. However, overall I think that focusing is good, this must have been pretty hard to focus.
My Opinion
A very creative and unique approach to the challenge, it is a bit too nightmarish for my taste, but I can really appreciate the idea behind it. I wonder what this would be like in B/W. Hope that the creativity continues to be let out! Good Luck in the next challenge

the cameras box
by shutterfly

Comment:
Critique Club
Content-Composition
I have the same toy, great isn't it! Your composition is great here, you have created a good 3D effect and the use of negative space is excellent.The actual content of the picture probably isn't too inspiring for most of the voters, perhaps a more interesting subject would have done better. However, I think that you have done a great job of photographing THIS!
Background
I am a fan of black backgrounds, this really set of the subject and gave power to the overall shot. There is a tiny bit of dust right at the front of the shot, but it isn't too noticeable.
Technical
Basically, this shot is relying on the techniques used as opposed to the content. Your lighting is excellent, with the box lighter at the front and then fading into the background. Focus is good and I like the use of DOF, which fades into the background. You had a comment that it could be crisper, I can see Inspzil's point here, I have suffered with the same problem, not sure whether the lack of crispness has to do with the camera, the black background which exaggerates the lines of the box, or perhaps a slighter deeper DOF would have been better. The box does have jagged edges, bu I think that this is the texture of the box itself not the sharpening.
My Opinion
Even though I have this same camera, I am afraid that the subject doesn't excite me too much, however I think that you have done a great job of photographing it, the lighting is especially strong. Good Luck in the next challenge.

Cafe Iguana
by jenarom

Comment:
Critique Club
Composition-Content
There is something that makes this picture stand out in the crowd, the simplicity, the colours? It is a lovely soft picture, which maybe makes us wish to slow down a bit and spend time strolling around these streets. I think that your composition is perfect, I like the angle that you took this from, which helps you focus on the door on the left and then also takes you into the picture to the door on the right. There is enough detail in the picture to hold the viewers eye, the plant pots, the yellow steps, the name, but overall I think that the simplicity of the composition captivates the viewer.
Background
Well, the background here is the picture, all I can say is that the colour is fantastic! I do like the idea of a cat sitting in the foreground, to add another dimension to the shot, but I don't think that the picture suffers without it.
Technical
Lighting is great here, lovely and soft with no shadows, which suits the building completely. Focusing, sharpness and DOF are all great.
My Opinion
Love it! I like the fact that you didn't try to change the natural beauty of this scene. Lovely picture. Good Luck in the next challenge

The last piece
by dodobird

Comment:
Critique Club
Composition-Content
I think that your idea for this was great, a very original take on the square theme. You have perfectly met the challenge. Composition is good here, but I think that if you had tilted the blocks a little, you would have achieved a more 3D effect, which would have added more dimension and interest to the picture. Personally, I like the use of negative space here and leaving a single block out was a good idea. I wonder if that using the hockey picture, you might have alienated a bit of the audience, you had comments from people that love the sport, but for those who don't I wonder if a brighter, more colourful picture might have helped this stand out.
Background
I think that the background is good, I like the different tones and the division of the top and bottom. Perhaps with a brighter picture on the blocks, the colour choice of the background would have had a stronger impact. As it is, I personally like the colour choice.
Technical
Great focusing and colour saturation here. The overall lighting is good, there is one hotspot on the helmet,I am not sure if that happened while taking the picture of the helmet (more likely, cause it is so shiny) or taking the final picture. If the former, then perhaps not using a flash would have helped, or bouncing the flash for softer lighting.
My Opinion
I think that all the effort put into this picture, really paid off. Really original idea and great shot. Perhaps the only thing I would change would be to tilt the cubes a bit for a more 3D effect and perhaps use lighting that cast shadows ( I like shadows!), perhaps to the side of cubes. Good Luck in the next challenge

The last piece
by dodobird

Comment:
Critique Club
Just to let you know that I have your picture to critique and will do it ASAP!

Busy Bee
by Hoogie

Comment:
Great use of DOF here, lovely colours and detail, perhaps the post processing is a little heavy

Orange Sherbet Rose
by Kaz

Comment:
This is very beautiful, lovely soft colours and great use of DOF.