French Onion Soup
by notesinstones

Comment:
My eyes are fighting between the onions (sharp, in focus) and the white rim of the bowl(blurred) and the soup (soft focus). I like the concept, but the image is fighting itself. Having the bowl closer to the onions and a deeper dof might have helped.

A Royal Korean Dish - Goo Jeol Pan
by pa_cuthbert

Comment:
Beautifully arranged food - the photo itself is laking in detail and punch. Taking the photo from above the center might have helped the composition-fully symetrical. The on camera flash is very harsh leaving the food flat and dark shadows at each plate. Light it with several lights around the food and off the camera.

Indian Grainery
by PhantomEWO

Comment:
This looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. I love the honeycomb effect on the overhang. You've done a wonderful job of capturing the color and textures without losing detail in the shadow. Don, very nice.

Check-ered
by shaver

Comment:
Shaver, your strengths are the interesting set-up, and the unique view point. You've got some technical elements that kept it from scoring higher. As mentioned in one of the comments, the focus is a bit fuzzy, instead of being tack sharp. Looking at your comments, you should be able to have a strong focus throughout the image with an F16 aperture. The problem may have been in the order of steps. You are wisest to sharpen AFTER you have resized.

Another problem may have been in your tonal range. The image comes across as heavily black and grey. The whites seem rather muddy. I can't help with the fix-it there, since I have the same problem myself.

The composition falls with the drop-off of the board on the sides and the strange reflections above the round edge of the mirror. You'll want to make sure that all of the image is exciting to look at.

There are many strengths to this image. I've concentrated on what may not have worked here, since that was your request. You've definitely got a great start here. You've got many who were very taken with the image. 24 votes or 8 or higher is a nice showing. Work on the technicals and keep the creativity coming.

Becky

Radiant Reminiscence
by RKT

Comment:
I like the lantern patterns on the wall.

Nostalgic Studio Lights
by gr8dane

Comment:
Either the figures are tiny or the flames are huge. I look forward to seeing this later and finding out which.

Too early to tell
by Dirtypainter

Comment:
The concept is great. The quality of the image is not as great. Match the technical aspects of the image to the idea.

Copper Fields
by Nald

Comment:
Awesome, Steve. This is wonderful. I saw someone out on a hill near 5600 W. and 2100 S. shooting into the industrial section during the challenge week. I was hoping for a top shot from a local. You came through with flying colors.

Journey
by Sammie

Comment:
Wonderful shot, Sammie. I love it.

Long Flight Home
by PhantomEWO

Comment:
Great job, Don! This shot is magical. Congrats on a stong showing in a very difficult competition.