Seeking Forgiveness
by dsidwell

Comment:
David,

I've been meaning to comment on your shot for a few days now... I just haven't found the right words! You have created a truly powerful, emotionally evocative shot here. FANTASTIC!!!

RightTurn
by Quadrajet

Comment:
Wow! 351 seconds is like... let's see... 5.9 minutes! Great shot, and something that would be great to try if I ever get a camera that I can hold the shutter open.

How did you reduce the noise in the shot? Obviously you've got a better camera than mine, but even at ISO 100, I would imagine there should be a significant amount of noise with a 6 minute exposure, especially in the sky areas.

Fall Pear Galette
by jas0420

Comment:
Critique Club critique--

I missed this one during the challenge voting, but would have given a score of 9 had I voted on it. In addition to looking absolutely mouth-watering, you have shot the subject quite nicely, in my opinion.

There were obviously a number of ways you could compose this shot, and no doubt you probably did that during your shoot. In any case, I find the composition you selected both unique and interesting, showing enough of the dessert while still leaving enough to my imagination to keep things interesting.

I think your choice of white balance to create a warmer tone worked very nicely to create a complementary atmosphere and overall improves the tone of the shot.

A couple of points for improvement, in my opinion, would be to:
1) Select a backdrop that is a bit less "busy", perhaps a solid color that complements your subject. While the colors and patterns in the tablecloth match nicely, there is enough going on that it detracts from your shot somewhat.
2) While the bright reflections on the dish work well to accentuate the shot, there is a small anomoly in the main reflection on the inner portion of the dish (at the 2 o'clock position) that I find distracting. My eye is drawn almost immediately to it.

Illinois Fields
by pitsaman

Comment:
I'm jealous! Absolutely fantastic shot! I especially like the overall subdued tones of the corn and trees against the sky and clouds. You have captured the scene well!

Greenbriar
by pitsaman

Comment:
Great use of negative space... and a beautiful shot!

Castle Hill
by BobsterLobster

Comment:
I love the rich colors and subdued tones. There is just so much of interest here... you have captured the scene well!

Nineteen Hundred Fifty-One
by Marjo

Comment:
Great shot... definitely looks like something straight from the past!

Golden Years
by Konador

Comment:
Truly beautiful image! I especially love the rich colors and subdued tones-- it really creates a mood suitable for the subject. --10

Misty Days Gone By
by Jacko

Comment:
Nice approach to the challenge... Makes the viewer think about the past rather than simply being shown something from the past. I love the dreamy effect imparted by the combination of mist and sunlight. --9

Inside a Glass Looking Out at Party Glitter
by cosmichaiku

Comment:
Critique Club Critique:

You have both met the challenge (quite well, in my opinion) and created a very interesting abstract in the process. I particularly like the use of a fairly shallow depth-of-field placing the center in-focus while leaving the balance of the shot blurred. Combined with the ripples in the glass, it serves to draw the viewer into the shot.

A few things to improve (as always, my opinion only!):
>Perhaps reduce the contrast somewhat, particularly on the confetti in the center of the shot. The strong contrast seems a bit out of place with the softness of the periphery of the shot.
>I agreee with one of the comments made during the challenge that a shorter, less specific title would better suit the abstract nature of the shot. Perhaps even something like "kaleidoscope"

If you have any questions about my comments or would like me to elaborate further, please let me know!

Paul.