Nashville Skyline
by daemoni

Comment:
nice use of space. If only the top right wing had been sharp. . .

Smithsonian
by shareinnc

Comment:
As the image is already cropped, so its identity is hidden, I need, at least, to see the whole thing in sharp focus

Silence
by autool

Comment:
*critique club*
Overall
The title 'Silence' is well represented in the stillness of the flame, in the silkiness of the wax and, not least, in the pitch black backing. However, the overall feeling is of lack, not rest because you have the makings of a very good photo here, but I feel that the approach to you subject needs more developing. There is a sense of dullness when we see 'yet another' candle shot. The genre works against you because you have to find a special angle to hold our interest. This angle is missing in this shot.

I've looked at a number of your other shots, some of which are truly excellent. As a long-time member of this site (as opposed to me, in my 2nd week, 1 challenge), you have built up an impressive portfolio. If I were looking at 'Silence' cold, without knowing your other photos, I would be much more critical. Because you are searching for some meaning in your work, I'm compelled to do the same with 'Silence'.

Technical Aspects
You know your subject very well. There is complete crispness in all important parts of the candle, rim, flame and wax. You choose a perfect dof to include only those parts you wanted. The 1/2 second exposure results in a nicely-balanced semi-translucent flame. Framing and composition, again, spot on. At this level of camera-work, you are well on top of the game. I'll say nothing more about that, except to query the yellow cast created by the flame. Would a custom white balance setting to whiten the subject help the feeling of 'Silence'?

Artistic Aspects
For 'Silence', the slightly right-hand side placing of the flame unsettles rather than supports the mood. However, a subject which is bang in the middle might be dull. I think that this shot needs further development, though. Some ideas spring to mind; Waiting until the wax deposits build up more and include more of the left-hand for interest. Macro into the wax itself and concentrate on the actual formation or movement of the liquid. Provide other clues as to the setting which might enhance your intention. I like the gradiation from black at the top through yellow back to black at the bottom. Could this be developed further?

I didn't vote on this photo, but if I had, I'd have given it a 4.

Best wishes,

Jim

Pure Maple Syrup
by Gracious

Comment:
*Critique Club*
Overall
You use a very limited orange-centred colour palatte to create a homey, soft, comfortable feeling. Viewers are tempted to eat your offering, which is the point of the photograph. In this, you succeeded well in creating the mood. However, the colour limitations also tend to obscure key details, the syrup itself, the edge of the plate, the sense of runnyness of the syrup.

I like the precise dof used. The subject is very crisp and the fork is placed outside. The fork adds a human touch, we feel that someone is going to eat the waffle soon, but isn't a key element. Your dof brings out this very nicely.

I'm not certain that you're totally aware of your subject. There's a sense of confusion between the waffle and the syrup. If the subject is the waffle, the present placing is fine. But if the subject is the syrup, you need to consider ways to bring that out more.

Composition
You've placed the waffle dead in the centre of the shot, making it the key subject, not the syrup. I wonder if a much lower camera angle pointing to the place where the syrup runs off the waffle might have created a more dynamic effect and place the emphasis on to the syrup? The strawberry and the fork create a nice line, unbalancing the centred waffle.

Lighting
Here is the main problem - desk lamps tend to give an orange cast. Here, too much, I feel. You need to counter this using your white balance setting. I realise that you went for the orange glow, but viewers know that, for example, the plate is white, so the final effect is slightly unnatural. Also, the strawberry is hidden by too much shadow. You can position your lights at different distances to simultaneously provide light and depth. Same distance placing weakens any feeling of depth. For example, in this shot, you could put 1 lamp to the immediate left as the main light source and the other about 30cm further away to the front to help counterbalance the strong shadow.

Suggestions (take 'em or leave 'em as you will)
Fix the colour balance.
Set up the lights as suggested.
Get real close. A macro shot on the point where the syrup falls from the waffle. Use a slowish shutter speed to capture the drip.
Get out, wide. Show a human about to dive into the waffle. Focus on the emotion, the mixture of anticipation and expectation.
Clean up the syrup.
Use a differently-coloured plate, one that contrasts with the yellowish syrup, a blue, perhaps.
Change the composition. Subjects that are bang in the middle are often lacking in interest.

Best wishes,

Jim

National Geographic
by magnetic9999

Comment:
very alluring image

Horse Illustrated
by eikidigi

Comment:
ha ha ha ha . What a great moment.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
by Alecia

Comment:
it's a pity about the underexposure on the skin. I'd like to give a high mark for the model, the composition, the appropriateness to the challenge, but the exposure forces me otherwise.

Publishers Monthly: "Author of the Year"
by sfarrell23

Comment:
nice idea

American Entomologist
by connie

Comment:
Beautiful - a winner for me. My only 10 so far

Sing Out! ( http://www.singout.org/ )
by eloise

Comment:
overall, a bit too dark