One last chance to play before bedtime
by scalvert

Comment:
Playing in the dark is a worthy concept for this challenge topic. You have chosen a unique and intersting way to present it to viewers. The general quality of the photograph is good. The main lights are not overexposed and the background black is solid. You've done a good job.

Some viewers may not like that your model's face is not completely visible and will score it lower. They want to see the boy's eyes while he plays.

In the city
by Antonino

Comment:
This is gonna be harsh and please don't take it personally but this is just not a very good photograph. If it were not for the challenge topic you may have considered taking this picture but would have probably skipped the opportunity.

First and foremost is that a picture has to be able to stand on its own merit outside the challenge topic. This one doesn't have much to offer and does not. It lacks most of the elements of good photography.

We are looking at a set of garbage cans from an angle we see them at every day. Why show that? That is not interesting. In order to get the viewer to care you have to do something to make them think differently about garbage. Try different perspectives (angles) to look at it to provide the viewer a new way to think about them.

If the garbage is the main subject then give it more space in the framing. Dig through the can and find something particularly disgusting then position and highlight it in a dominent position in the picture.

The white bag on the far left is overexposed. Overexposing things in pictures should be avoided.

One of the few things of photographic interest are the repeated diagonal pipes and those are not enough to make the viewer care much about the composition.

Hate to say it, but this picture probably should not have been taken as is. The final score will say that as well. Sorry.

A dark place for a sleepover
by docurrie

Comment:
This supports the darkness theme in at least two easily discenable ways. The composition and leading lines are fine. Repetative items well positioned in the frame are always nice. Framing is good from this perpective.

The overall quality of the photograph is average and the final score will reflect that. It is partly because the image was captured using flash photography.

This is a wonderful composition but seems to lack something. Perhaps if you captured the image from something other than a 'snapshot' perspective it would be better. You might try taking the picture from ground level to emphasize the lines of the composition even more and that perspective is in keeping with being in a jail. A gun laying angled on the floor would also add CONSIDERABLE impact to the image.

This picture has a lot of good photographic qualities as it is but could be improvd for move viewer interest and a higher score.

that voodoo you do
by clictacamera

Comment:
Focus is OK and it meets the challenge topic.

Photographically there are some improvments that could be made. The contrast is a little on the low side and should be upped a little to give the image more 'pop'.

There are a number of compositional items that alone do not mean much but combined make this more of an average photograph. You can do better with this.

The wiring visible to the left at the bottom of the frame is a major distraction. The nearer leaves, though not badly out of focus, are major elements that also detract from the image and draw the viewer's attention away.

The main subject is centered and completely within the frame. You are probably saying to yourself that is the way you intended it. But you can remove unwanted distracting elements and add considerable viewer interest to your main subject by judicious framing.

For example, if you cropped from just to the left of the skull but below the chin to just above and all the way to the right in the current framing to just above the skull enough to show part of the feathers then the image would be better. You would crop out almost all the distracting items mentioned, make the skull much larger in the frame and offset it from center frame to give it more eye appeal. You will still have part of the out of focus plant included in the composition but it will act as framing rather than be a major element in the composition. Try it, you might like it. :)

The Chains Of DaRkNeZz...
by DaRkYe

Comment:
This is the classic modern day misunderstood youth image. Use of B&W and high grain is proper in this context. It fits the challenge topic well. It is well composed and you have captured a great expression. It has a nice soid black and the tonal range is very good.

The score received is generally related to the connection the average viewer makes with the subject. They do not have to like the subject but they do have to find a basis of understanding. The rebelliosness of youth will not be enough for most DPCers to relate to this image. You probably accept that and don't expect it to get a high score.

On the technical side the image has a number of white specks in the black background that are distracting and should be removed. You might have considered shifting the camera more to the right so that both hands show complete in the frame. That would give the image better balence.

Overall this is a good picture.

"When Darkness Meet Light"
by andrayus

Comment:
An interesting concept in this composition. The exposure seems OK.

Like in most images focus is the most fundamental characteristic to get right. Most viewers will feel this image should be in sharper focus and vote it lower.

Many low light level images have a yellow hue like this. It is because the camera's white balence gets fooled under these conditions. Then you have to do color adjustment to make the lighting 'correct'. Viewers will see that as a defect in this image even if the lighting is right.

You might consider positioning the lights diagonally for added viewer interest.

Salvation
by danderson107

Comment:
Composition is fine. The lighting from above is particularly good.

You are probably aware you will be criticized for entering a flower image in a darkness challenge and should expect a low score. A black background is not enough to sway the feelings of many DPC voters.

The hallmark of a good floral macro is focus. In most cases it should be in razor sharp focus or (in challenges that allow it) be processed with filters for a softer and more surrealistic look. This macro is not sharp enough to work well.

The color is a little weak. You might consider color processing to bring out more red and yellow to increase eye appeal.

Dreaming
by gizz

Comment:
Close cropped composition is OK and the idea fits the challenge well. B&W is a good choice of expression for this image.

There are several technical issues that will hurt it in voting.

The first is focus. You probably made the child's face soft focused on purpose but it will not work for most viewers. They will feel it is just poorly focused and not "get it". The small amount of background visible appears in clearer focus than the model and that acts as a major distraction in this composition. You will have to come up with a different way to convey the idea of dreaming.

The contrast is very low in this image. Just apply an autocantrast and you will probably see a positive change. This image needs to have the black point set to give it better tonal range and contrast.

waiting
by U622

Comment:
The idea of this image is perfect for the challenge. Including a candle and two wine glasses is good and having the waiting person softer focused in the background is good. Not showing their face works very well. That implies that it could be anyone waiting, including the viewer. The way you have framed the scene is very good.

There is a lot of weakness in the quality of the photograph that prevent the viewer from realizing the full potential this image has to offer.

First and foremost is focus. This is a killer! Poor focus will hurt the score of this image more than anything else. If it were done purposefully this way it will not work for most viewers. The glasses should be in sharp focus to convey the idea we are waiting for something good that the person waiting has specially prepared. It loosk like the camera is focused on the front of the table with a very shallow depth of field (DOF). The DOF may be fine but just centered in the wrong place.

The candle should be placed differently with respect to the glass. Perhaps it should be placed directly between the glasses or off to one side. In this position it distracts the viewer by being partially obscured. The candle flame is overexposed and that acts as a major distraction.

The image would work better if the amount of liquid in the glasses were different. If someone is waiting they will either drink nothing or drink from only one glass. If someone is waiting for someone then either both glasses should be full or only one glass should be less than full, but NOT both and they should definitely not both be empty by exactly the same amount.

This is an image with great potential. You will do a lot better with this next time I am sure.

dark thoughts
by saiofsaisxiong

Comment:
Terrific tonal range and perspective in this B&W study. Gives viewers something to think about.

he technical quality of the image is outstanding even though the hair on the subject's head appears to be soft compared to the rest of the image. Perhaps a slow shutter speed captured subject movement.

Viewers will wonder about the purpose of the garment in the chair. It does not appear to serve a purpose so might be better if it were removed.

The window is not level in the composition and will act as a distraction. Intentional angling should be 15 degrees or more to be effective and meaningful to most viewers. Anything close to being horizontal should be made horizontal.

This is a good image that will score in the upper tier.