An improvised clock
by Gren

Comment:
Critique Club:

Meeting the challenge: Well done, although I would have some difficulty seeing this as a time picture if not for the challenge and title (a flaw with my entry, too) I actually wanted to do something like this and couldn't find the right opportunity to do so.

Composition: Despite comments below, I (for the most part) like the composition of the shot, straight lines and angles vs. curves, lighting and contrast used for emphasis as well as the dark upper border vs the light stone texture. There is a little something on the left edge that I don't understand and might have been better if more were showing or if it was cropped out. The shadow at the bottom right also is a little confusing to me.

Technical Quality: The photo is clear and no post-processing problems noted. The lighting might be harsh for another photo, but works well to illustrate the meaning of the shot for the most part.

Creativity: One of the few shots without a plain old clock or watch, well done. As you noted above, it did lack some wow factor and that probably did affect your score. AT the same time, it was different than any of the other entries that I remember which is a plus.

Overall: A fairly nice shot for this challenge, don't think I would have considered it below a 5, though. Would have at least given it a five and maybe six.

Good luck, I think your shots are improving. Thanks for letting me critique this shot!! Kandice

Toddler Tantrum
by DougPaz

Comment:
Critique Club:

First and Oscar for your daughter's stellar performance and a well-earned 4th place in the challenge for her father!!

Meeting the challenge: Excellent

Composition: Very well done with the eyes in just the right position. The angle of this shot ads some depth and impact to the photo. Capturing the body language as well as the facial expression also adds to the meaning and impact. All very well done.

Technical quality: This would have been a shot if spot editing could be done that the eye on the left could be a bit darkened, as it almost looks like they are two different colors, but obviously you stuck to the rules. The muted shadow is nice, and I for one did not mind the lack of extreme contrast...don't think it's always necessary especially with the soft focus. JMHO. The border works well and no post-processing errors noted. Your dof works well in the shot. Very good quality for the shutter speed.

Creativity: This is a great shot, and did not need a lot of originality to be good. I don't know how you could have pulled this off with increased creativity and wouldn't have subtracted a score on this issue.

Overall: A very nice photo, and in my opinion wouldn't change anything but the eye shade in a printable edition of the photo. Sorry I couldn't add anything else really new to what others have said.

If you have any questions, comments, or other please feel free to email me. Kandice

I am Anger
by Annida

Comment:
Critique Club:

Meeting the Challenge: Very well done. It might well have been named eyes of rage, and seemed to be taken that way by some of the commenters.

Composition: I like the way you cropped this photo in a non-traditional format which intensified your subject. The drawing on the left eye (as I view it) also helps keep it from being boring by being too symmetrical. B/W makes the image even more dramatic. I liked the veins in the eyes showing to add to the intensity of the feeling.

Technical Quality: Good, although I would have liked to have seen more dof, as the focus is pretty intense on the nose bridge and softens up a lot at the eyes. The white specks are a little distracting in the forehead to me and the dark specks below the eyes, also.

Creativity: Excellent on this respect, very original idea, really liked it.

Overall, I think this photo was a little under-scored in the challenge, but it seems a lot of really nice photos end up below 5.5 lately. I would have at least given it a six, and without the specks and a little more focus likely at least an 8.

Hope this was helpful, let me know if you have any questions. Kandice

...And His Reflection Makes 3
by smellyfish1002

Comment:
Critique Club:

Meeting the Challenge: Excellent, takes no time to see the number and it couldn't meet the "natural" component any better!

Composition: Even though the duck's head is centered, the rest of the photo lends balance to it and you do not get a boring symmetrical look. The tight crop helps to emphasize your subject well.

Technical Quality: Photographing wildlife is very difficult, so some flaws in this area would be difficult to avoid. I would have personally liked to have seen the duck better lit and the background not so black, although I don't think it could be done with this photo as the light rocks (I am assuming they are rocks) would have been blown out. The other option would have been to try to get this shot completely done with only water in the background maybe on a cloudier day so the light would have been softer. The desaturation helps draw the eye to the duck's head.

Creativity: Isn't it nice that sometimes our eyes are fooled by what we see. Even though you didn't intend this to be your numbers entry, you caught the shape when you processed the photo, well done!! No duplicate entries seen and a very nice photo to enter.

General Conclusion: Overall a good picture, maybe better lighting and background next time around. This was one of my top pics last week in this challenge despite the few flaws.

If you have questions, please feel free to email me. Thanks for allowing me to critque your shot.

Stalker
by clicker

Comment:
Is that a real reptile? I would like to know before I make my final score! Very nice photo, love the use of shallow dof and the creativity.

Vertical climb
by Hoogie

Comment:
Just about perfect. I would maybe have cropped out that light spot on the leaf, it's just a little distracting to me. I love the red behind teh caterpiller, really contrasts well with the little guy. Good luck. 9

Out of the black and into the light.
by kiwiness

Comment:
Critique Club:

300 photos? I hope they weren't all for this challenge, or you might have to go see a doctor for DPC addiction, (just kidding of course). Wonder if there were many more of this quality?

Meeting the Challenge: does this very well.

Composition: I like the way the lines lead from bottom to top, right to left. You have included lots of range of light and textures in the shot. Your title helps give this photo more meaning, although I would like to have seen a bit more meaning to it without the title.

Technical Quality: As others have said below, a stop or two underexposed may have helped with the blown out buildings in the background. This would have been a good image to adjust through layers, but not legal for this challenge.

Overall conclusion:
Very nice photo with tonal range fairly good but with up[per buildings needed less light. Maybe a graduated filter could have helped you out a littler here. If you have any questions, please fell free to write me.

Kandyj

Mr. Four
by Pep Ventosa

Comment:
This is a real guy? how funny!! Don't know how natural I would consider this number, but very original idea and great use of humor.

Vine
by jimmyn4

Comment:
Good use of dof here. I like the composition also, rather than just doing a shot of the number item, there are leading lines and and another image supporting the vine. Good job. 8

Seven in Stone
by 3boyzMom

Comment:
Nice lighting on these rocks. Photo is sharp and well composed.