..Bill Henson..Paris Opera..
by Kimberly75

Comment:
*** Critique Club ***

First impressions: This image seems to have a somber feel to it. This is probably due to the child's expression (intended or not)

Composition: The child is placed well in the frame with plenty of space for her to look into. Good use of negative space.

Exposure: Though I think you were going for a 'fade to black' look I feel the image a little underexposed. The skintone doesn't seem right. Good catchlight in the eyes.

Impact: The impact is gained from the child's expression and use of negative space.

Had I voted on this challenge I probably would have given it a 6.

Colette

Frangipani Bouquet
by sherpet

Comment:
Yellows and reds are a couple of the hardest colours to get right. A lot depends on the lighting. There's some nice soft light falling on these rendering the colour very well. None of the areas seem over exposed.

Compositionally I think the image may be a bit cluttered however if you play with different angles, from below, from a different side, you may come up with something that works with the clutter. The flower in the lower right may be one to try a lower angle on.

selfp
by polkop

Comment:
It is an interesting composition and there is plenty of detail on the left side of the face despite the overall darkness of the image. One thing that I think would improve it though is to crop the right side of the image off right at the point it goes from detail to darkness (center of the nose). Just a thought.

Returning from the hunt
by jbsmithana

Comment:
First impression: focus seems a little soft but not distracting

Composition: The direction of the bird leads the viewer out of the image rather than into. I realize that the ducks on the lake were included intentionally however if the eagle were facing the other way the image would be stronger. Also, the blurry log in the foreground is a bit distracting.

Exposure: The dark areas are a little blocked up so the image could possibly benefit from a touch more exposure. (this could be due to resizing as well)

Impact: More impact could have been achieved if the eagle were leading the viewer into the image rather than out.

BTW, I scored this a 6.

Rapids in the Woods
by JEFFJSB

Comment:
*** Critique Club ***

First impressions: Water has a nice silky feel without really blowing out any of it.

Composition: The position of the rocks and the tree on the left are the strongest parts of the composition. Though there is one branch from the left and a sapling on the right of the frame that are a bit distracting since they are blocking the view to the water.

Exposure: This looks like a tough lighting situation. I think the silky feel of the water is what you were going for so in that regard the exposure seems right with only a couple of spots that look blown out. However other parts of the image seem underexposed.

Post processing may help bring out detail in the shadows a bit more.

Impact: Some impact is present from the feel of the water. For more impact, framing the water a bit better with the trees and bringing out more detail in the shadows I think would help.

Creating these kinds of effects in running water is always fun. Keep experimenting and have fun.

Colette

Open For Business
by BRCPRES

Comment:
I love how his pose matches somewhat the figure on the door. The image seems a bit out of balance though with the empty space on the right.

a not so rare, flightless, DolomedesTenebrosus
by ralph

Comment:
Photowise I would have given it a 6 had it met the challenge. To me the light is fairly flat though the composition is good and the spider adds interest. The leaves frame it nicely on the bottom as well.

Seagull
by GuGi

Comment:
I like the idea however the gull seems too blown out.

Oblivious
by cpanaioti

Comment:
If I had wanted another flower/bees picture then that's what I would have presented. That was not the idea. Thanks for the suggestion for a different photo though.

Oblivious
by cpanaioti

Comment:
*** Self Critique ***

Colours are vibrant and there is a sense of openness yet the bees are going about their activity with out notice of the background.

That being the message I was trying to portray I think the flower and the bees need to be sharper.

The bench is a major element yet detracts the viewer from the main intended content as does the flower in the lower right. The flower could be cropped without losing anything.

As far as making the bench less distracting, possibly trying for a slightly different angle to include less of it and more of the trees in the background. Also, more dof would give more definition to the background and possibly make it less distracting.

All in all, something to try again come spring.