Welcome to our Cheesy Home!
by Caitlyn

Comment:
*Critique Club*

Adorable set up. Right down to a little door knob. Good work. I like the way the roof actually looks like shingles, and I like the added snow. Is that cheese or actual snow? Maybe a shake or 2 of parmesan cheese would have been cute too. Actually, looks like a shake of cheese on the roof, but snow on the ground.
The only real issue I have with the photo is that the focus seems soft to me. Now, I have taken a photo of cheese for a challenge and it turned out soft looking no matter how hard I tried and by looking at a lot of the entries, I think it's just maybe the texture of the cheese that makes it look like it's out of focus, when maybe it really isn't.
So...Not sure which is the case here.
Lighting appears to be good. No distracting shadows or bright spots. Nothing distracting there.
I like the addition of the little walkway and the trees. I think this gives it a very realistic appearance.
Overall a fun image that is technically well done and very creative. Wish I could offer some advice on how to make it appear more crisp, but my attempt on cheese failed in that department too.
~Heather~

Inner Sanctum
by Rikki

Comment:
The photo itself seems to be lacking something that draws me in and holds my attention. Since I am not a religious person, I can share no personal feelings/opinions of the photo. The main subject seems to be the candles, which is good for the challenge, but the glass in the back is too out of focus to really add to the photo. If it had been in focus, then I think the attention would be taken away from the candles, so you made a good choice, but in this case, I find the glass more of a distraction.
Focus on the candles is good. No complaints there. Color is good. Technically, it's an alright photo, just not something I'm drawn to.
Hope this helps. ~Heather~

________
by TheLittleIsland

Comment:

Originally posted by TheLittleIsland: The yellow lighting was actually accentuated in photoshop A LOT. I wanted the shot to look a little soft.... The dollar sign was something that I could not move, though I hardly think it's as distracting as you make it out to be. I think the eye heads right for the subject on the left due to the halo around his head that I planned out. Also... it's supposed to be ODD so you wouldn't want a smooth nice photo without distractions.

Thank you for the explaination. It would have been very helpful to know what your intent was while doing the critique, since there were no photographers comments, I could only base my critique on personal opinion and guessing as to what your intent was. By your comments, I think you did a very good job at achieving what you set out to do.

Got Cheese?
by fotomann_forever

Comment:
I don't even know what to say. The background is distracting?? I wish the cheese were unwrapped. Good lighting. The pants look dirty to the right of the photo, minor distraction. Oh, and interesting interpretation of cheese.

Rite of Passage
by quark314

Comment:
*Critique Club*

I think this is an excellent idea and hits the challenge perfectly. The only real problem for me, is that it's just not a visually appealing photo. Technically, I think it's well done. Good focus and clarity. We get nice details in the words and we get to see the humor in the shot.
Lighting is good, there are no horrible hot spots or distracting shadows. I think that's really important because of the words, if you get bad lighting, all the words would be unreadable and this shot wouldn't have as much humor value.
I do think it's a bit crowded. I think one of the pencils and the other 1040 form on the right could be removed without hurting the photo. It just seems like too many items crammed into the photo and feels very set up. TOO set up. Of course, I'd have to actually SEE it without the pencil and paper to determine if it looks better that way, or if it then seems to be missing something, but definately it seems like it's too forced.
Overall, it's technically good and a great idea, just lacking some visual punch.
~Heather~

Fork
by Rikki

Comment:
nice focus on the fork. I like that this has a dark background, and not the same ol white background we keep seeing (including my entry) Do the white lines have signifigance? Looks like smoke, but can't see where the smoke would be coming from. Are the tips of the fork burned? They do seem a bit darker than the rest. I like the slight texture of the background. I think it adds to this photo. I also like the light lines on the handle of the fork, I think having then come out of the corner is interesting, although my eyes keep following then out of the photo because they are so prominent. Still a very clean shot, and it's pleasing to look at although I don't fully understand it's meaning. ~Heather~

Autumn Reflections
by Brad

Comment:
Well, this is a very crisp photo. I think what really makes it pop is the background. The reflections, while clear and crisp, aren't nearly as interesting as a neat looking spoon on an awesome blue background. The handle of the spoon almost looks like it's had a negative effect applied, although I realize it's just reflections, it looks like it's got a large white halo around it. I know it doesn't...but appears that way. Other than that...very clean shot. the border compliments it nicely and it's generally pleasing to look at. Would make a great ad with an icecream shop reflected in it hehe. ~Heather~

Hey !!
by BrianR

Comment:
Well, it's definately a knife, but it doesn't seem to have a purpose. Looks like it was toseed in a fish tank? The reflection isn't helping me to figure out why the knife is in the sand next to a plastic plant? Focus looks sharp on the blade, but looks like maybe a bit oversharpened (no pun intended) due to the white areas around the knife. could just be reflection though, if so my apologies. the background doesn't contain any distractions, however, I don't feel that it adds to the image either. This doesn't affect the score any, but I will also mention that the border doesn't work with the image. Maybe a plain thin black border would work best. presentation is important. ~Heather~

Everybody Loves Jill
by ginjer

Comment:
I'm not getting it. I mean, it fits the challenge i guess. Resembles a spoon, but not enough of the photo is in focus to tell what it is. The spot that I see that is in focus is the corner of the metal thing in the bottom right. This to me doesn't seem like it would be the most interesting part of the photo, so I can't figure out why it would the the crispest focus. I guess this must have been easier to picture seeing the entire scene and knowing what you were going for. As is, it's a bit busy, soft and confusing. ~Heather~

Creative Carving
by Montereykiddo

Comment:
HAHAHA. Certainly didn't notice that in the thumbnail. I wonder if this violates the no penis rule? Hmmm? LOL. Very nice focus and clarity, love the idea it's definately clever and original. The lighting creates some shadows that are a bit distracting and the texture of the white surface doesn't add to the image in my opinion either. Cute. Made me laugh. ~Heather~