Man & Machine
by RyanW

Comment by Pangurban:
Good challenge topic. Like the composition as well.

It's not fun until you're dirty
by RyanW

Comment by markwiley:
This is a very engaging portrait. This finished much higher in my ranking. Nicely captured.

It's not fun until you're dirty
by RyanW

Comment by RyanW:
These pictures are the reason i pick up my camera. Everything i do here is to train myself for taking pictures that will have lasting meaning; like this one :-)
Thank you for the kind comments, they truly do mean something to hear from others :-)

It's not fun until you're dirty
by RyanW

Comment by colorcarnival:
Booo finished too low. However, this awesome keepsake you have is priceless and the memory captured will now last forever :)

It's not fun until you're dirty
by RyanW

Comment by colorcarnival:
I wish I took photos like these of my boys when they were younger. Love those eyes.

The Beast with Two Backs
by RyanW

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A good macro that meets the challenge in an amusing way.

These insects are often associated with the title of the challenge regardless of the act of copulation they are involved in but its the voyeur photographer I blame he's the worst of the lot of 'em! I love the iridescence, you've caught it well and your composition is generally good. The humorous intent behind the image has been acknowledged by your commenters and me too, thanks for the smiles.

Where I think it falls down is the DOF it is too shallow. With an aperture of say f11 you would have got better clarity on the front wing of the rear fly and more definition to the other fly as well both of which would have improved the overall result. At f11 you would still have had a 1/125 shutter speed so it would have been technically and visually a better shot. You could also crop in a bit there is a lot of grey background that doesn't really add anything.

All in all, quite a good shot, thanks for your submission, Sid

The Beast with Two Backs
by RyanW

Comment by quiche:
This is a humorous take on the challenge.

The Beast with Two Backs
by RyanW

Comment by franktheyank:
Too, too funny.

Suburban Sunset
by RyanW

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A sunset that meets the challenge.

I have to be honest my initial impression was negative until I saw the challenge you have entered it for and now I understand the reason for the processing, so with that in mindâ€Â¦ The house is the only sharp feature in the image and therefore becomes a stronger focal point than I assume you wanted it to be. Personally I don't think it detracts especially given your title you want it to emphasise the buildings, as it does.

I have to say I don't like the softness through the rest of the image but I do understand why you have opted for it but I think the whites should be whiter through additional exposure. The composition is fitting for the intended purpose, I like the low horizon. I am surprised that you left the cloning as you did, it doesn't add but detracts from the image left like this.

A generally pleasing image that has room for improvement but thanks for your submission, Sid

Catching a cat (nap)
by RyanW

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A cute portrait that meets this open challenge.

A lovely engaging image of your pet doing what they seem to do a lot of, though your clever title conjures up visions of the dog chasing and catching cats in his dreamy slumbers. A good title is, I think, an essential element of the image and what the photographer had in mind when creating the image and is helpful to tell the viewer more about the image as a whole, so thanks for that.

I do like the image as a whole, I like the shallow DOF which enables us to focus on his head with his body in nice soft focus. What I am not so keen is the harshness of the light, it is forming a contrast on his ear that is too intense for the rest of this lovely peaceful soft light that enhances his fur, this small patch I'm afraid, does not, for me it detracts from the image as a whole.

I'm sorry you didn't get any comments during the challenge, I hope this helps, Sid