What is Out of Place?by
roveriComment by tyrkinn: *** Greetings from the Critique Club ***
Challenge
I would say the image fits the challenge but just barely, I am not that surprised to see a yellow flower amongst purple ones (don't know the names of these flowers in english). Maybe some other object would stick more out amongst the smaller flowers. It also looks like it is a last-minute entry, not a very original one and it does not look like you've spent too much time on it either.
Composition
I like the filling of the frame on this shot, it isolates the subject in a nice way and it doesn't distract the eyes away from the whole point. Putting the yellow flower away from the middle would do the shot good in my opinion, especially in this challenge since the yellow flower is supposed to be "out of place", moving it towards one corner would make the point stronger in my opinion. Applying the "rule-of-thirds" might work nicely (here is a nice tutorial by jmsetzler:
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=5), or maybe just to one side if you like that more. I would have cropped it tighter as well to exclude the brown thingy below the yellow subject thats distracting IMHO.
Lighting
I agree with some comments below, the lighting is a bit harsh, it's not bad but maybe if it was diffused a bit it would serve the image better, a reflector of some kind on the right side would remove some of the shadows or better yet, if it would have been a bit cloudy it would have served the shot better, the shadows and the very bright violet flowers contrast makes a bit messy.
Camera work
Good job on the settings, sufficient shutter speed and a small aperture gives the image all the DOF needed (everything in focus) and no movement. ISO is low, but there is something grainy-looking about it, I can't put my finger on what it is (It could be post-processing, what software did you use?).
Post-Processing
Looks like it is not processed much, which is good IMHO. Colors are good, a bit more saturation could work if not over applied, and the yellow color puts the "out of place" into the entry. Again, the grainy or furry over all look doesnt work for me, maybe post processing could have cleaned it up a bit (Neatimage could work?).
Title and Info
Title might be more original, including the name of the challenge is seldom a good idea if you ask me, makes it sound "shue-horned". Standard info is nicely filled out, I really don't like it when people skip entering the info like aperture, ISO and such. Would like to see something in the comments area, like what you did in post processing (all exif is nice but not needed), and maybe a small story around the shot.
Overall (my opinion)
The entry is a bit average and not very original in my opinion. It looks nice, but something extraordinary is needed to pull up the score, something more creative. I think the challenge was a bit hard this time so a lot of thought would have to be put in it to make shots fit the challenge and be great looking as well, I think you did o.k., very nicely when you consider it is only your second entry here at DPC. Keep sending them in!
Hopes this helps in some way, good luck in the future (excuse my english.
Best regards, Tyrkinn
Message edited by Manic - fixing the url.