Blocked Out
by backslash

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club! :)

Composition
I love this shot, I've got to admit. I love the progression of the blur, I love the foreground colors, and I love the idea. I don't think you followed any compositional "rules", but the general feel of the image is very nice. The focus of the is very definitely where it belongs.

Camera Work
I honestly think this might have scored a bit higher if your DOF was a bit more forgiving. I see comments about the "softness" (perhaps made by someone misunderstanding "DOF", I don't know) and can only connect that with the A and B having slightly soft edges on the left and right. Focusing just a bit deeper on the letters would POSSIBLY have rendered them completely in focus by using the entire focus plane. As well, a slightly smaller aperture would have still given the same overall effect while imcreasing the sharpness of the letters A and B.

Post Processing
Incredibly well done. Color balance is perfect, contrast is very good, and the overall result is very pleasing. I even personally like the border, but I think it cost you quite a bit of score, as they usually do :)

My Thoughts
I did not vote on this challenge, but I would have probably rated this image an 8. I like the use of red, and I like the overall color. I also like the high key background.

Overall, an excellent image. Thanks for participating. I hope my thoughts have been helpful and informative. Please feel free to contact me by PM if you have any questions or responses.

Bernard

Moments Mothers Treasure
by mandyturner

Comment:
Recommend bouncing the flash to eliminate the background shadows. Nice BW, though! 7

Motherly Frog
by tolovemoon

Comment:
A little too bright, I think.

Protective Mom
by neenee1999

Comment:
The composition bothers me a little, and the deer seem a bit plastic? Too much neat Image, maybe?

Belly Laugh
by notesinstones

Comment:
Little too much black, it seems.

welcome home mama
by militarygirl10

Comment:
I love it :)

Happy Ever After
by Retinus

Comment:
This is a cool portrait and a nice shot, but something looks overprocessed about the faces. Not sure. Maybe they are getting burned :) Just kidding. This is a good exposure.

Is Someone There?
by Nikolai1024

Comment:
I think a little more light on the left eye would open up a world of possibilities here. My eye is continually drawn away from the flame to the spot where his eye SHOULD be.

Candlelight, a Slinky®, and Thou
by Nordlys

Comment:
Wicked cool. I think this is awesome, especially the PP that yielded blue light. Cool! That's an excellent composition and great photography. 9

Santa's Apprentice
by mpeters

Comment:
I think I would have tried to focus more on the hat, but I understand the low-light difficulties and the resulting decisions.