Controversial Exhibit at the National Gallery
by kosmikkreeper

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club -

This is an cool shot of an interesting sculpture. The title brings it into the challenge theme well. Otherwise I would probably be wondering of there was a story behind it. But with the title I could see this being in the USA Today or something along those lines.

The lens distortion works really well. Gives a sense of it being massive. The colors of the sky are very nice. I wish the focus was just a little bit sharper on the body of the spider along with maybe a bit more light on the legs so we could see more detail in them.

I am not sure what else to add as far as improvements. The shot overall has an odd feeling to it that works well. Bet this thing creeps alot of people out. My wife would freak.

Tim

Triumph
by angela_packard

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club -

First let me begin with the fact that photojournalism is not my expertise. With my limited knowledge, this shot seems a bit too "set up" with what I think pj is.

I believe if the colors had stood out more the shot would have been a bit more interesting. They seem flat and the dull green just isnt nice. Same with the sky. More color would have helped. The position of the flag against the back drop of the tree draws away from the flag. That it is see through makes it blend in with the tree even more.

The detail is sharp and the model is attractive, but I dont think it was enough to carry the picture. I am just not sure what the story is or what it relates to, even with the title. I wouldnt expect to see this shot in a newspaper.

You have a strong number of pictures in your challenge portfolio that are quite impressive. This may just be a hiccup on the path. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with in the future.

Tim

drinkorig.jpg
by dahkota

Comment:
Thanks for posting this one. Looking at them side by side I think you did the right thing with the blur. You started out with a great shot to begin with (something I still need to figure out how to do myself) and ended with a phenomenal picture inthe end. Well done.

Drink
by dahkota

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club -

Let me begin by saying that Free Studies have been great for you.

This is a phenomenal shot. I would have liked to have seen this shot without the blur. I think slightly sharper may have been nice. I dont know - I would have to see them side by side.

Other than that - fantastic variety and blends of colors. Composition works great with him off to the left. Great capture of the tongue and the stare in his eyes. Lighting and shadows work great as well. This picture emits a feeling of spirit (if that makes any sense). Cant give any real suggestions as to how to make it better. What else can I say - fantastic job - great score - shame it didnt ribbon.

I am looking forward to seeing what else you come up with inthe future.

Tim

Too late for "Window Framed"?
by Rgarcia

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club -

I first just want to say that I am stunned at how nice a pic phones can take. I had no idea.

I think the one thing that does not do good for this shot are the angles of the window frame on top and side. I see that the inside frame is level with the frame of the pic but the outsides just make it a bit off. A slightly tighter crop on the left side may have helped. At least cropping enough to get rid of the texture on the wall next to the window frame.

Outside of that - technically I am not sure what other comments to make as far as improvement. The detail is great on the cat. Maybe a slight up in saturation to bring out the color just a wee bit more and a bit more sharpening on his eyes. All together though you have a good pic of the cat. Anything that I have mentioned as a negative here is purely minor.

It is a good shot overall, yet not as interesting as some of your other shots. This doesn't make me want to stay and gaze at it for while like "Lux Eternae" or "Signs of Old" but it doesnt leave a bad taste either. It's just a nice shot IMO.

I hope this helps and I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

Tim

Gary is a great employee but has dental issues.
by bvoi

Comment:
Greetings once again from the Critique Club -

This was hilarious. I don't normally pay much attention to the titles but yours was the kicker on this shot. A very interesting subject for a Free Study (I have no clue what other challenge this would fit in but portrait).

So what can I say. This is a great portrait. Excellent detail through out and the B&W treatment works really well. I would be curious as to what this looked like in color. Lighting and shadows play great. And even now each time I go up to look at it to scrutinize it again it makes me smile - I just cant help but read the title again and chuckle.

I think my only issue with this (and a very VERY small one at that) is that his eyes seemed dodged a bit too much. They seem to bright in the pupil area. But this is such a minor thing (I had to look hard for it).

Congrats on another great score. Just one pic shy of all sixes on your top rated photos. You have been having a really good show of pics lately and I don't expect to see that stop. Well done and good luck in the future.

Tim

Sunny afternoon!
by birgir

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club -

Let me start by saying that this model needs some more sunny days to get some color on his bod.

Now lets get beyond that. Going from your pic details it looks as though you have succeeded in reachng your goal. I remember first opening this during the challenge and having a good chuckle. Everything seems out of place - snow and shorts, black socks and sneakers, a warm afternoon setup with a cold and desolate feel from the brown grass and rock wall. THese arent complaints - they help make this pic an odd treat that I found enjoyable.

Technically - good colors (or lack of). If it was brighter or more colorful I think the irony would have been lost. The sharpness and detail is good and the lighting works well IMO. His skin seems slightly blown out but I think that just might be his skin tone and not a lighting issue. Overall I think that the general composition is lacking for the DPC community - but hey what do I know.

Again - if your goal was to have fun I think you succeeded. An odd setup but fun in its own special way.

Tim

Built on a Rock
by harmsusmc

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club -

I will start off by saying that perosnally I think your subject is great.

Beyond that there are some issues. The cross itself seems a bit out of focus. Its outside edges just arent crisp. And the detail inside is lacking as well. I think some light dodging and burning could have brought out the inside edges to make them more pronounced giving the cross more dimension and interest. Maybe if you had caught it earlier in the day to have the sunlight shining right on the cross would have helped.

The foreground is a bit dark and murky. Either lightening up just the foreground or even cropping most of it out with have given you a better focus on the cross I believe.

The off centered position of the cross works really well and I like the colors and clouds in the sky.With some slight adjustments in time of day and postprocessing I think this shot would have done much better. Keep plugging away, take lots of pics and play with your photoshop and you will be seeing higher scores very quick. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

Tim

Penniless and Alone
by danica22

Comment:
Greetings form the Critique Club -

Let me first say that I think you caught a great expression and mood on this boys face and from his body language. I get a feeling of independent yet lost which works very well.

From a technical point of view the details seem a bit lost with how dark the shot is. The greyness of it all leaves it a bit lacking where I think a crisper black and white would have served it well. Slightly sharper focus would have been nice as well, although I don't think a perfectly sharp image was necessary with this composition. The off centered works great.

AS far as a PJ type shot I dont think this would have worked in a newspaper, but like alot of other entries this shot would have worked well as one of a collection. Which when looking at your portfolio this is what you have and it fits great. (I really like the colors on your free study entry).

Hope this helps you out. If you have any questions or concerns on my critique please feel free to PM me.

Tim

Silk Flower Rhythm
by chalice

Comment:
Trading Post -
You have a good idea to start. This is the same idea as the slinky shot in this same challenge. I had a couple of issues withthis one. The colors were not as vibrant as they could have been. Same with the sharpness. I have never set up a shot like this, but more of a curve going into the mirrors would be nice. The slinky shot had a very nice curve going back. Also th eflowers just blend together toomuch as they go back and with such a vatiety o flines within the head of the flower the detail and separation just seem to get lost. I may hav ealso cropped the top off just above the second curve. The vertical lines above arent necessary and the blown out white doesnt seem to fit well IMO.