Along The Boardwalk
by gtroia

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to DPChallenge, Free Study VII.

Great capture of a empty boardwalk area on Staten Island, N.Y.

Where are the people? It must real cold and real late night. You have some terrific points of reference. The bridge in the background, which I believe is the Verranzano Bridge? The other reference point is the lamp post banner. Which proudly states "I love NYC".

Technically a few comments. The lamp posts lights are a bit overwhelming. As well as the lights in the round covered area to the right of the frame. Bringing or changing the exposure compensation to a lower level, might have given the scene a softer tone. I also like the blueish shine that the light source provides. Again a little less light, would given it more appeal. It tends to create a distraction, and dull the details in the image. It also appears a little unbalance from the foreground on back. Saving the camera settings would have been key to knowing what works as well. This would be valuable information if and when you would want to reshoot.

I know its a pain, but a tripod on a night settings always helps the situation. If a tripod is not available, try a standing flat object to shoot from. Another approach to consider is converting this image to a black and white photo. This would create a somber and artistic mood. One that would reflect the empty boardwalk, and the quiet of a NYC night.

Good job, and good luck on your next DPChallenge.

All That Is Left Is The Fading Photos, The Voices Of The Past Have Since Disappeared ...
by Jecto

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to DPC, Free Study VIII.

A great caputure of snow scene at a ski lodge. The sepia tone effect gives it old time retro feel. The surrounding mist provides it's own noise or grain to the image. It is very interesting how you decided to photograph it from a long distance. Giving it an almost private observer feel to it. The high crop to the top of the frame gives it a spatial comfort. It almost like you were you not really in the spot but just became one with the area.

It take some courage to post this image as some viewers will not relate to it. It is very well done. Very artistic, and you have to spend time looking at it, to make it work. I like the three different groups of people standing around. You can almost hear them talking. Their details are lost but that is not so important to the message of the photo.

I do have a comment about the title. It's is kind of cryptic and long. Sometimes we tend to relate the title and image to make a point of reference. With only seconds to view and vote on photos, most won't take the time to figure out the message. This would will ultimately take away from positive voting.

Great capture. Good luck in your next DPChallenge.

Mountain Stream
by ace flyman

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to Free Study VII, DPChallenge.

A great landscape capture. A surreal almost feel to it. The color and tone have a great appeal.

You have selected to focus I assume, on the aspects of the water in this shot. However, the tree branch in the lower portion of the frame is a bit distracting. It takes the eye away from the main portion of the image. A closer crop would have helped the photo maintain its easy flow so to speak.

I like the long exposure technique. It makes the water puffy and soft. Giving it a dream like feel. I also like the different shades of color on the water. It has different shades of the same color, from light to dark. Too bad you didn't record the camera settings. It would help later on if you went back to the reshoot. I would assume that the shutter speed on this, has to be at least 1 second or more. I am guessing here. The surrounding landscape area appears a little blurred. So perhaps you didn't use a long exposure. The use of a tripod would have helped if you took it hand held.

Overall a great capture. Great colors, a different cropping would have given it more appeal.

Good luck in your next DPChallenge.

1951 GMC
by eugene

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the DPChallenge, Free Study VII.

Good photo of a old American classic. The use of black and white conversion gives it a timeless classic style. The retro design of these old vehicles are priceless to possess. I am sure that this vehicle is one of your prize possessions.

Technically it works well. Your focus and lighting are good. Your cropping however leaves some questions. It would have been good to see the rest of the vehicle. It kind of leaves the viewer with wanting to see more of the image. There are minor distractions in the center of the photo. Its the reflection from up above. Its on the hood and right side fender. It takes away from the smooth and clean look of the shot. You might have had your reasons to only shoot half of the vehicle.

Overall a good clean shot of an old American car classic.

Good luck in your next DPChallenge.

Greenfields
by justinbrook

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the Free Study VII DPChallenge.

A good capture of a outdoor area. It looks more like farm or rural setting. I see that you have focused on the green grass, thus the title. It also looks like this might be a wide angle shot, by the large perspective in the frame. The image also is about the area around the "Greenfields". You show great colors here. Blue skies, green grasses, trees and some brown structures I believe.

These type of open ended types of imagery, where there is no particular focal point does not always appeal to voters. There should be some strong interactive type of element to bring the viewer into the scene.
Although its a dreamy, and well composed shot, the viewer interest is lost. There is nothing to really relate to immediately.

Technically there is some oversaturation in the sky and grass area's.
You have to be careful using your image editor that you don't over do the color corrections. Sometimes especially skies, tend to pixelize from too much over color editing.

You could have cropped a little more of the sky off. It tends to overwhelm the lower portion of the frame. Another curious note is the camera settings that you show. You show a shutter speed of 1/1600. I wonder if this is the correct setting. Did you use a tripod? or was this handheld? A shutter speed that fast is needed for fast moving objects. So I wonder what your purpose was there. Just curious.

Overall a good effort.

Good luck in your future DPChallenges.

Contemplation
by Natator

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the Free Study VIII, DPChallenge.

A very nice capture of an infant looking away from the camera. A very cooperative no less baby. She appears to be focusing on someone or someting on side of the camera. Hey, anything you have to do to take the shot. The title is very amusing as well. Like the baby is actually thinking something over.

I like the framing and the choice of the background color. I also can't tell if this is a table or the floor that you are using to take this photo. Well done there.

Technically there are some minor area's for improvement. The choice of B&W conversion was a good one. However, there are some harsh tones on the baby's left side. More of understated light source issue. A left side reflector might have help the situation. Also an additional fill light might have helped the mouth and chest area's.

In the absence of studio type lighting, this is an excellent capture that you should be proud of.

Good luck in your future DPChallenges.

Sky Captain
by max90034

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the Free Study VII DPChallenge.

Excellent capture and composition. Capturing one of natures birds in flight is not easy. I am sure that you had been waiting for just the right moment to photograph this great water bird. The bird looks happy, healthy, and content with flying away, while give you a eyeful.

At first view its a pleasing shot. It does look a bit over done with USM. The color also looks a little over saturated. But none of these observations takes away from the awesome spectacle of this bird in flight. The colors in contrast with the birds brown color makes it very appealing. I had wish you had provided the camera shot settings. I image that is image was taken at a very fast shutter speed, probably about 1/400-500th of second. You had great outdoor light so most digital lens would have worked well.

Overall an amazing shot. I might have cropped less of the frame on the righ hand side, to show the direction of the birds flight.

Good luck in your future DPChallenges.

Sena
by dartompkins

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to DPC People II challenge.

Your photo is nicely done. It presents the subject in a soft mood or ambiance. This is a good example of a protrait shot. Your subject selection is also good. She gives off a soft and delicate vibe. The choice of a black and white style gives it a timeless classic appeal.

What is missing is the contrast to the white areas in your photo. Some of the facial area's appear understated. There is also room for more detailed sharpness in the facial elements. Somehow the religious cross seems to shine in comparison to other parts of the image.

Another approach could have been a direct shot of the subject where her eyes could have been accessible. My preference would have been the way that you submitted the photo with some shadow and highlight editing.

Good job, of a protrait photo. Simple, yet elegant in its style.

Good luck in your next DPChallenge.

Colvin, "God bless you."
by ericsuth

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the People II, DPChallenge.
This is an excellent image of a person next to a signage doorway.

The message is clear and well done. The choice of black and white style, provides a unique look into the man's personality. He is from your description, socially and politically opininated and informed.

I like the look and tone of the photo. It tells the viewer a lot of information. Taking his photo on this particular doorway provides clues on the man's personality. Just curious, I see the large American flag, but I also see a small decal type of American flag, that appears to be upside down. I am sure that there is no message there. I also observe that the doorway to this building may possibly house a bank or similar type of official business, due to the FDIC sticker as well.

Technically the photo lacks some highlights and details. The white balance seems to be over exposed slightly, especially on the white area's of the frame. The subjects face is leaning to his right side. Almost saying, "I am in no rush" go ahead and take your best shot. The BG also appears a little blurred or needed highlights as well. I like the door showing its wear and tear lines. But those, also needed attention. The background also is giving a reverse reflection on to the camera. Giving the viewer a slight reflection distraction.

Overall, a great capture and composition.

Good luck in your future DPChallenges.

Hold My Hand Daddy, Hold My Hand
by twm122

Comment:
Thank you for entering your photo to the People II DPChallenge.

Its a great composition idea, showing father and son holding hands. The photo actually reads from left to right for me. The child hands first and the fathers hand second. I don't really see anything wrong with the diagonal approach shot except perhaps a crop, or resize the area closer the sons arm, so that it is perfectly straight across. Then giving it a more balance look from top to bottom.

The photo is lacking some middle image focusing. Where the two hands meet and are joined together. There are probably two approaches that can work. One is the one you presented, and one is a closer crop of the two hands joining. Your approach gives it a lower to upper feel. Where you can see the two generations visiably. A closer more sharper approach would have given a more intimate message.

The other factor here is the sepia type tone to the photo. If I am reading this right it looks almost retro in its nature. I like this but I wish it had a shaper focus. I know that this could be hard to do if you are moving forward. A higher shutter speed could have helped.

Again, good job and good luck in your next DPChallenge.