Time Zoned
by caba

Comment:
A true 10 - took the challenge to another level. I wish u well in this challenge!

Domesticated Elements
by Ductyl

Comment:
I am not sure what everyone else will think or vote, but this is the most original composition in the bunch, I can see it getting slammed, but I give it a 10. Hope people will notice the subtle light changes in the shelves - no matter where u end up, this was great thinking on your part!!

Ocean View
by scooter88

Comment:
*CRITIQUE CLUB*
WHAT I LIKED
The texture of the log/tree.

PROBLEMS
Starting with the ocean view - about the right 1/3 of that part is close to being blown out. The water itself has very little detail and kind of mixes with the bland sky.
The tree/log - The knot (top left) is really dominate, and should have been left out, the root system is mostly in the shadows and a different angle would have really helped.
Overall - there are to many distractions to allow this photo to work. There is a lack of ANY contrast which doesn't help either.

[b]SOME SUGGESTIONS[/b]
A different angle, like from the top of the tree down to the water, might have helped. Another idea would have been just a bit of the trunk, and all of the root system (metering for the roots - might have to take a couple shots and combine them to get some detail in the water)

Your using some of the best equipment out there for photography, just have to work on the techniques.

Russ

Fallen & spilled
by carofo

Comment:
*CRITIQUE CLUB*

I really like the contrast here, very simple but well done.

I like the glass and reflection on the table and the placement of the scene is great, filling the frame.

Like you said, it was a last minute entry, but it could have been better with a drop of camera angle giving the milk a bit of height (resulting in a more 3D feel. As is, the milk sort of looks painted on the table).

I probably would have given a 6 on it had I voted, it does show some imagination, even if it was just a "quickie".

Russ

No Remorse
by nutzito

Comment:
Very powerful, made me WANT to help!! 10!

Daily Crime Scene...
by F-StopBlues

Comment:
Out of the several using this theme - YOURS was perhaps the MOST creative!!10!!

A Young Cowboy's Toys
by bobnospum

Comment:
*Critique Club*

The "woody" reference cracks me up also. I wish the photo had a bit more impact somehow, perhaps a light shining down on the figure, leaving the hat and grass in natural light. There are other possibilties, including the one you have here, but there needs to be some impact in a challenge of this type. While I wouldn't go so far as to say it DNMC, it needs a little help. Even turning the head towards the camera a bit.

Looking at it from a technical standpoint, you did a good job with the dappled light, focus was really good too (most sensors dont read light, dark, light very well). The grass in front of the hat and figure are somewhat distracting also.

Overall, I do not believe the 1's and 2's you recieved were deserved, but I can see the others.

If it were me, I think I might have tried to find an older more ragged (well played with) version of the toy placed a bit haphazardly with the hat and titled it Forgotten. Might not have scored that well in this particular challenge (tribute)

Russ

Little Buckaroo
by pearlseyes

Comment:
*Critique Club*
I only half-hearted agree with the votes you recieved here - To me, it is alot like a tribute to great young man who was a photographer and a cowboy, and would most likely have appreciated your work here. Not much can be done about that I guess.

Technically, it is a good strong pose, great expression and really good texture added by the barn door. The lighting is pretty darned good too.

The only problem I can see is that the focus is great on high contrast areas (thumbs, bandana), but a little soft on the hat, face (eyes) and body. I have always been told that softness in a portrait is something to strive for - but the eyes need to be pin sharp. Considering your model (a real cutie by the way) thought the game was take the hat off (not keep it on long enough to get a photo) I am guessing you used auto focus - and it worked really well for the higher contrast areas. If the opportunity comes up again, try manual focus. With a little practice, it can really make a difference.

Another suggestion might be to come in a bit tighter, he has great eyes might be good to take advantage when you can - plus there are some sharpening techniques that the pros use to really make them stand out even more.

Overall and considering the circumstances, a really good shot!! Kids are hard models to work with, but you have a great subject and apparently alot of patience, keep plugging away!
Russ

Sin City
by Mephisto

Comment:
*Critique Club*
Hi, my name is Russell and I am doing the critique that you requested!!

First off, let me say, this is REALLY a tough one!! Not only did you ribbon, I thought (personally) that it should have been first place.

What I liked - The idea and title is truly "nailed" (I too, am a big fan of the movie), so the composition is great. Your background is a perfect fit. Overall, it not only matches the challenge but exceeds it (again GREAT call on the movie)

What I didn't like - Now is where the critique gets tough - it is such a great shot, that anything mentioned here are strictly personal thoughts, so please take it for what it is worth.

The lighting above and to the right of the model lightens that section of wall making it a part of her vs a part of the setting.
The bird "pooh" could have been taken out or darkened a bit.

Overall, there is VERY little NOT to like here, the likely reason you came in second instead of first was due to the African child portrait, not overly creative, but very powerful in it's vision - I see alot of ribbons coming your way in the future!!

Russ

Canadian Rockies in Infrared
by Citadel

Comment:
*Critique Club*
Hi, Russell here and this is my critique of your shot.

What I Liked - Just a really good overall landscape shot and fits the challenge perfectly. The light is falling perfectly and the overall immensity of the subject out-does the minor imperfections (to me anyway).I am not an infared shooter (though I am going to attempt it this summer) but after getting a self-taught lesson from the internet, I find that traditional infared turns the green a "hot" white, if there is enough light in the scene (of course there are other things also - but this seems to be the main draw) since yours has a bluish tint (and the clouds above) I am thinking that you didn't have "perfect" light for "perfect" infared. Honestly though, the tint is what MAKES the shot for me (combined with the absence of the tint- for the most part- in the light falling on the mountains)

What I didn't like - very little, which makes it difficult to critique. I can only see three issues - 1. the large sign on the road 2. the bridge support under the sign 3. the small piece of sky at the far left of the frame. To me, the road is a PART of the landscape, and does not really take away from the overall shot. The sign and support however (likely due to the black) tend to draw my eye away from the subject some.

Changes that might help - A small change of angle, moving forward and to the left a bit, MIGHT have put a tree in front of the sign and bridge support - cutting the dark distractions by 2, however, the tree on the left may also make the shot a bit unbalanced. That could also be corrected by zooming in the lens a bit. Since I was not there with you, I don't know if the terrain would have allowed for that, but if so, it would have gotten rid of the sign and support.

Overall - it is a great capture, had I spent 5-10 seconds looking at it (like most do during voting) I would not have even noticed the items I mentioned. Since I took longer to study the area and not just the subject, those items appeared. So, would I hang a print of this proudly in my living room - probably, since most people would not study it in detail and up close like I had to.