Urban sunset
by skari

Comment by bspurgeon:
Critique Club

Ironic that your image came up for me. I was conflicted about the processing. I absolutely love the composition despite the horizon bisecting the head of the duck. It is a bit top heavy in that my eye goes directly to the sun then to the duck's face, and then right back to the sun. Overall I think that works in this image as the sun and face are separated by an interesting middle third with the various water birds.

Although post processing is part of the art, and is open to interpretation, I believe that you went too far with the noise ninja. The main duck and the ground look fake, and as suggested in a comment below, cartoonish. If it is not via noise ninja, then you left a step out of your details. Maybe it is from curves. Now, on to a more objective critique, there is a very prominent halo around the duck. This is a sign of over processing or less proficient processing. It is suggestive of heavy shadow/highlight manipulation or poor masking, etc.

I happen to think that you have a spectacular photograph here, and it would have scored much higher with improved or less heavy handed processing. If you are willing, I would love to see the original photograph.

Congrats on your high score and finish.