The dawning of spring
by Nuzzer

Comment:
I like your DOF.

Accented
by Nitesead

Comment:
I like the colors, but I feel the pic lacks a bit of focus. The cropping is intriguing. I also find the border to be distracting. Maybe you should've made it more pastel(y).

Snakes contain magic in some cultures...
by jmlelii

Comment:
*Critique Club*
Hi Jeremy!
Your pic was given to me to critique. As I always mention before critiquing, I'm in no way a pro at this. I only like to look at pictures and to take some pictures.
How your pic made me feel. Well, I don't have any snake phobia, so this isn't a factor, so no fear from me! I felt power. Snakes are all muscle! That thing could squeeze the crap out of you! I feel a sense of control. The snake is resting, but in control of it's environment. It knows exactly what it's doing.
What I like about your photo: I like the colors, the lighting and the textures of the scales. I like how your green goes from light to dark making the animal even more mysterious. I like how we don't get a scale to let us know how big it is. It looks enormous, but we can't say for sure.
What I like a bit less: The DOF is just a wee bit off. I would've liked to see it's face in focus. I like the OOF body though, as again it gives us the impression that the animal is BIG. I also feel the image is a bit of a shoehorn to fit in the Challenge.
All in all, it's a great pic with rich colors, humbly portraying a magestic creature.
John

Walking in the Mist
by timfythetoo

Comment:
*Critique Club*
TIM!!!
Your submission was given to me for the critique.
First I must tell you I am humbled to critique this high placing photo! I'll try and critique it with my usual formula. Gotta say, I'm no photo pro, I just like to look at and take pictures.
How the pic made me feel: A) before I read the photographer's comments...Got to smell the humid tropical air. Got to hear the wild tropical birds. Got the feeling of being in a tropical rain forest.Hadn't noticed the handbag yet, Then...B) after reading your photographer's comments...Ah man! A zoo!!! I got to feel your frustration at the people walking by. Why do they always step in front just at the right time?! Do they WANT to be in the picture? Not an easy setup, as you state!
What I like about your picture: I like the tropical innuendo. A lot. I like, of course, the misting that gives the soft focus, thus meeting the challenge quite well. I also like the framing type of composition. I adore the sunlight coming through the mist.
What I like a bit less: I completely understand that your models were not by choice, but the handbag breaks the feeling. The dude looks like he's exploring the forest. The lady, well, is just passing through, as if she's saying:"get out of my way!"
All in all, a very nice pic, and I think it did great. Keep it up!!!

Back and Forth
by cryingdragon

Comment:
*Critique Club*
Hi Mike!
Your pic was assigned to me for the Critique Club, so I'll comment on your submission.
Firstly, what your picture made me feel: With the title, you get the feeling of hard work. Your rope is used to work. Pulling, all day long. Then, you put it away for the day. Winding it up. Almost got to smell the dirt on it.
What I like about the pic: I like the texture of the rope in the in-focus part. I also like the rythm of the coils.
What I like a bit less: As stated, you should always make your pic as big as possible, using the max dimensions. There's a tutorial on the site you can review. I'm also wondering how the pic would've looked if you'd inverse the DOF, making the foreground in focus and the background OOF, because the eyes starts at the foreground and is led to the back coils. It just seems a bit odd to start your eyes with something out of focus. I dunno, wondering.
You have met the challenge perfectly with this concept, but I feel there's a bit more work to be done technically. Not a bad image though! Keep it up!!!

Fire Starters
by vtruan

Comment:
*Critique Club*
Yo Van!
Your pic was given to me for the critique.
To begin, I need to tell you I kinda feel stupid for critiquing such a fine pic and someone with your experience (Had a look at your profile and portfolio!!!).

Firstly, what your pic made me feel? When I saw the image, I could feel the wind, I could hear the thunder, I could smell the humidity in the air. Aside from the thunder, there's a kind of stillness in the air...No birds, dogs hiding...Some people fear thunder and lightning.

What I like of the image? The power it gives off. I think this power is from the amount of space you gave to the clouds, thus I like your composition. The colors given off of the clouds are nice. I like how you didn't crop the top of these clouds so we could see the lightning illuminate the upper layers. Your focus seems to be pretty good.

What I liked a bit less? Well, the pic is a bit of a shoehorn for this challenge. As mentionned in the comments you got, it's not really fire, but you made your title fit the challenge. This doesn't take anything away from the quality of this photograph. Aside from this, again as mentionned in your comments, the tilted horizon is (just a little bit) distracting. I totally get that it was a hill, and I think the clouds would've looked a bit weird had you fixed it.
You placed well in this challenge, and it's well deserved.
Not much else I can add. You know what you're doing. Just keep it up!

Fire
by sessa

Comment:
*Critique Club*
Hello Sesselja. You have been chosen as my first critique in the Critique Club!
First of all , I have to say I'm in no way a professional photographer. I just like to look at pictures and take a few pictures!
The first thing I did when I got your picture was to look at it and then go do something else and let the image simmer in my mind.
What did the picture make me feel? Well, I got the feeling of warmth (of course!), and then I got the feeling of spending a comfortable, relaxing evening at home. That's good!
What I liked? I liked how it made me feel. I kind of liked the simple composition. We see fire, that's it. So, it fits the Challenge well. I also like the colors given out by the flames. The focus is great.
What I didn't like? Maybe the composition is too simple. You don't get to play around with different elements, like DOF, exposure, textures, and different elements in the picture. That's because we see fire and only fire. You didn't give yourself anything other than the fire to work with. I think this is the main reason your pic didn't get a higher score.
All in all, it's a nice fire shot. I've looked into your profile and your portfolio and i know you have the skills to get this fire going!
Keep trying!

Styx
by sarrobi

Comment:
I can appreciate what your picture is saying, but it's way too much out of focus to be a contender. Try using a tripod next time.

The Indian Rope Trick
by 3eyedcrow

Comment:
Gave a high score because of the expressions on the models. Some are awestruck, some are sceptic, and the central model (the girl standing in the center) seems to be saying:"So...should I be impressed?"
If this is a candid, you were very lucky. If this is setup, you're a great director! Good job!

Bewitched
by elsapo

Comment:
I love the eyes, and I know you made them the central subject, because we're led directly to them when we look at your pic. An enchanting gaze if I ever saw one. I hope to see outtakes to see the color of these eyes. My favorite in this challenge.