lying down at -25
by Cboydrun

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
Hello Chris, I�m Alan.

First let me say, you have it over me, 6.3 minutes are 6.299999999 longer than I would be out in -25 temps. Your exposure is dead on, the sky perfect, I do detect a bit of motion blur on the foreground, could that be shivering? LOL. I think if your nuts enough to try this again a tripod, or other solid rest would help. One other problem I see is that this was a bit of a stretch for the challenge topic, and the connection failed with the voters, although it seems I gave you a above average score. Looking at your past images, I was impressed, in truth, I have no doubt will be seeing you on the front page in the near future..
Alan

By Way of Motorcycle
by gbautista87

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
Hello Garret, I�m Alan.

Although not a original idea, I can�t remember it being done on a motorcycle, somewhat daring if you ask me : ). Score wise, any time you get into the 6�s you have done well, very well. Things to maybe look for if you attempt again. It looks to me like your camera exposed for the shade, hence the over exposed foreground, it also looks like you pushed the contrast forcing the highlights even more. I agree more blur would help, but it�s easy to see your limiting factors. You do have a motorcycle, and a makeshift pod, who knows someday might find you on a recently paved road providing more options. All in all a good score, for a very good photo, and I will keep my eye out for future attempts..

Alan

Take a number.
by cwalmye

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
Hello Charles, I am Alan.

First, I love the double play with the challenge suggestion. Not only the obvious counting Machine counting, but the machine itself, and hand made brick background showing the craftsmanship that at least at one time counted. Your angles do a nice job holding the eye a moment longer, your processing giving the image that old time feel, although maybe a bit clean for �back then� standards.
In voting I rated this photo fairly high, in what I thought was a boring challenge, so from me, good job.
Alan.

Side note, me always the concrete guy noted your(?) porch, and my eye tells me that it exceeds the 2% ADA standards that might prevent some buyer in the future from obtaining a governmental loan. Just a thought.

Plane of perspective
by snaffles

Comment:
Humm, so Susan you now have one of those blue thingies. I agree with that upper wing. Congrats..

In the Cold Sun
by Louison

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
Hello Louison, my name is Alan.

First as I clicked on your image I had to also turn up the heater, so yes you conveyed cold. Looking at your portfolio I see you have done well by DPC standards, and I look forward to spending more time in the near future.
This image, to me looks semi-focused. Yes I understand cold blowy snow, possibly fogged lens. But places it between 2 groups. The DPC perfect focus, contrasty, color rich group that does well in challenges. And the smaller (but growing) group that lean more towards artistic interpretation. If your aim was the first group then I can only suggest a bit more sharpening, but I�m not sure it would help this image. Me personally would have flowed towards the second group, reduced focus, added noise, possibly crop a little on the bottom.
All the above is neither here nor there as you indicated you liked the photo, nothing is more important than that. I�ll add that the more I look, the more I like- really like.
Alan

Fierce Hot Anger
by aurorab

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.
Hello Shannon, I�m Alan.

For ease I will break down your image in 3 parts, background, light painting, And your model.
The background, a nice smooth black, no distractions, well done so I will call it a non issue.
The light painting, nice flow, great color, nothing blown out, again well done.
Your model, looks to me properly conveying anger, really all in all not bad lighting, if he was the full image I would place it in the OK column.
The problem I see, or don�t see, is a connection between the light painting and your angry model. Perhaps connecting the light to the model, ie a hand with the light emanating from the fingertips ( use your imagination). Possibility the light spelling out a word (the object of the anger), Job, car, children ect.
Looking at your portfolio, I am seeing a rapid improvement, and have no doubt in the very near future, these sub 5 images will show only how far you have come..

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Alan

One Ring To Rule Them All
by Covert_Oddity

Comment:
Greetings from the critique club.
Hello Iain, I�m Alan.

This is really a easy Critique. Your colors, contrast, DOF are spot on. Though not a original Idea as you mentioned, it was well executed, and deserves the score and placement it received. The only negative I can find on your image is the fuel line that is a bit of a distraction, but with the restrictive editing in basic I fail to see how you could have altered that. And so brings up your claim that your attempt is somehow sub par to the Original (?) idea by Dave Nitsche on 1X. I think here you are comparing apples to oranges, similar in concept only. I think your transitions in the flames are much smoother. Dave was able to use any editing software at his disposal and was not restricted in file size, in a similar situation I�m sure you could have removed the offending fuel line, in what, about a half a hour, surpassing presentation in eye appeal.
This was very well done, and congratulations on your ribbon..
Alan

But I am none; nor will my sun renew.
by posthumous

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club.

Hi Don.
I am Alan :), and you are my first Critique, please bear with me as I feel as a fly in a tarantulas den.

On first viewing, and reading the poem twice, I gather both title and image where combined intentionally at the time of capture. Both fit too well together for it to be a accident. The background fits well with the mood. The leaf on the right drawing the eye down the long trail the lonely man must travel alone. The hand err the fingers grasping the sun attempting to prevent it from reaching higher in the sky, preventing it becoming spring. This was well thought out, and executed, and a fine job capturing the essence of both.

Now for the other part, yes I see a couple. The mood is dark, depressed, love lost. I think bringing the brights down a bit might convey the mood a bit better, though might not have helped with the average voter.
And the err ummm hand is ummm a bit too nice, for want of another word. This man has no desire to interact with anyone, so deep and dark his mood, he will go to the point of repelling others (bum like) to prevent it.
Had I voted this challenge a 7 or 8, if curiosity had me looking for the poem (likely) 9 or 10.

A critique of my critique is more than welcome..
Alan

world war one etcetera
by tnun

Comment:
In a sea of the mundane, a Island..

Beach and pier
by Melethia

Comment:
Well hell, I don't know what happened to yesterdays comment, something about Seagulls and pigeons. I came back to mention you should watch that beachfront, you might just see a seal and they can be quite photogenic.