sea of blue
by ursula

Comment:
Why i s there a reflection of nothing?
TC

Soft Spikes
by robsmith

Comment:
From the Critique Club

First of all, a disclaimer. I didn't enter this challenge because I could not get a good shot with the limitations of my camera. That out of the way...

The first thing I noticed about many of the Soft Focus shots were that they were VERY dark and DULL in color. This one is no exception on those details. However, with this shot I personally think that those issues are not as important. This shot comes off good as dark as it is. I WOULD like to see just a TAD BIT of fill light on the left and rear cactus parts. Also, the dullness of the color here is not really a detraction because of the almost monotone color scheme!

I am a little bit amazed that you maintained a sense of pokiness of the cactii thorns here. Even though the focus is soft, the thorns still seem very sharp and something to stay away from!

A very nice image overall and MUCH better than I could have hoped to achieve!
TC

A Ball
by Frank Beckman

Comment:
This shot is VERY busy. This really detracts from the shape being a dominant part of picture. Focus is good as are the colors. If there weren't so many elements it would be much better though.
TC
PS. I see you ;-)

$20.00 to the first person to correctly guess what these are. One guess per comment.
by GolferDDS

Comment:
LOL A bribe for votes??? Just kiding! I got no clue anyways!

The Torch Of Freedom
by GeneralE

Comment:
From the Critique Club

Things I like: I love what you are trying to say with this shot but have to admit that I didn't get it till after the challenge when I read your comments. I really like the anti-silhouette (for lack of a better term) look of the subject. Good use of negative spacing. I actually kind of like the noise in this shot. Nice balanced compostion within the frame.

Things I don't like: The shot is out of focus. My camera is only a step up from yours and I understand how difficult it can be to focus in the dark. I have the best luck when working with something this dark by focusing with other lights on (just enough light to get the autofocus to lock on) and using the timer to give me time to get the lights back off again. Also the subject is very dark. It needs some kind of fill lighting. I know that you say you tried the onboard flash and believe you when you say it don't look right, but this shot needs more lighting. I might have tried more fire (candles or another torch made the same as the first to duplicate the light temp.) or some kind of reflector. I am having my own lighting issues and can understand how frustrating it can be trying to get it right.

Finally, the thing I like best about it is that you tried something totally different from all the other shots I've seen. You showed great originality here. Unfortunately, here if it's new and it ain't dang near perfect, it's not gonna get much of a reception.
TC

zen garden
by fas-ligand

Comment:
This shot is very dull. It needs a boost of color either in lighting, or in post editing. Very nice composition though!
TC

It's the Canadian Game
by lenbull

Comment:
It really drives me nuts to see an image as beautiful as this that is so small. Very elegant and simple, but small. You do have some issues with vertical lines through the reflection that are kind of distracting.
Overall, beautiful shot that would get a slightly higher score from me if it was bigger.
TC

La vie d'Artiste
by sergut

Comment:
This is a very nice image, and normally would score very high in my book, but it's not simple. There are very many elements included. There are very many layers included. There are very many textures. A very nice shot but not simple.
TC

Waiting for the Elves
by dsidwell

Comment:
Almost looks like a painting. Nice job creating a fantasy mood here. And congrats on the Red!
TC

Pianissimo
by jmsetzler

Comment:
Beautiful! And no post processing. I'm amazed!
TC