Bye love, see you next time
by Kroburg

Comment by Spork99:
Greetings from the Critique Club

Technically, this image is OK. The exposure seems good and the focus is on the main subject. Your processing looks just fine too. From the noise/grain does look like it's been cropped significantly and I'm sure resizing for DPC didn't help. On the down side, the light seems to be harsh midday sun which makes things more "blah".

Looking at the composition, I see a few problems here. I believe that your intent was to connect the main subject(the bird flying away) with the bird on the ground. One problem that the main subject is crammed into the lower left corner while the other is way across the frame in the lower right corner foreground and out of focus. Adding to their separation is the strong diagonal line between the grassy slope and the sky/background. Secondly, everything interesting is happening in the bottom half of the frame. The shot gets a lot more interesting if you just lose the top half of the frame and go for a wider aspect ratio. Then the diagonal helps to divide the frame into thirds and the two birds are diagonally opposite each other divided by empty green space.

I'm sure that just getting this shot must have been challenging, but I also have to question the POV. When I look at the pic, there's no getting around the fact that I'm looking at a bird's rear end. If there was a frame where the bird flying away was seen more in profile than from the rear also might be a way to improve.

Above all, this some great subject matter and photographing wild birds is quite challenging so keep at it.

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by shair:
One of my favorites because I LOVE action, especially in product photography. I really would have preferred if the subject was not dead center and at such a straight-on angle, since it moves all the action in the image out away from the frame. I find my eyes constantly just want to leave this picture and follow the splashes off the photo.

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by Skip:
This is a tough challenge to vote. I'm torn between "what are you trying to do here" and "what do I expect here". Further complicating matters is the question "what would I do here".

What I would expect would be a technically strong piece of eye-candy that would present the dessert in a way that I would want to at least sample it, if not order it. Along these lines I'm looking at technicals: backgrounds, distracting elements, exposure, sharpness. I'm also looking for creativity, imagination, and originality, which can make up for less than perfect technicals.

So, where does this leave me with your image?

Nicely done! More flying liquid would have been a boost, but I'm not complaining.

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by sioh:
This is so clear & beautiful

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by eyestrange:
great action shot.

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by albrix:
I like the dynamic you brought into this typical still life challenge...actually unexpected!

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by unbreakable:
Best of the group; beautiful color, beautiful fruit, action in the cream perfect focus. Minor criticism... the silver tray has visible mars but wow, this is nice 10+

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by LanndonKane:
i love the splash, but i dont care for the reflections or tones in the bowl, and the background thing or whatever the bowl is sitting on is pretty distracting

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by hotpasta:
great...this should ribbon...love the spashes...good job 8

Wimbledon's Smashing Treat
by Kroburg

Comment by Lydia:
LOVELY! All of it!

(commenting only)