Contemplate
by joynim

Comment by espy2:
I don't usually like comments or give them, but since candids are near and dear to my heart, I have decided to comment on every photo in this challenge.

Even given the title, there is little here for me to find interesting. I do find the tones to be nice and love the overall feel of the fence and the mans dress, but without the title it is just an uninteresting candid. Had there been a sign nearby that said no fishing, or swimming, or climbing, it would have faired much much better with the title. A 5 from me.

Cats eye in my nightmares
by joynim

Comment by Neuferland:
Whoa, that's one yellow eye! How did you ever get your cat to sit still long enough for you to get that close, LOL :) I'm guessing a long lense. :)

Nice clarity, focus and sharpness around the eye but then in the eye it gets really soft to me. And that red line down the side is really distracting. An 8

Onwards and upwards
by joynim

Comment by strangeghost:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.

TECHNIQUE
The first thing that strikes me about this image, and it's like an iron upside the head, are the horribly blown out sky highlights. Everything else looks a little underexposed (maybe auto mode?) but the powerfully overexposed whites are just too in-your-face.

COMPOSITION
It's really an odd looking composition, and doesn't come off that well, IMO. Meets the challenge, yes. Footware is prominently featured, but the angle of the tree is very odd, the left shoe is cut off (bad when that shoe is the subject) and we're seeing only the bottoms of the feet. I believe that this idea has some potential. A person - especially a kid - climbing a tree is a very interesting subject, but without more of that person to work with in the image, it's hard to hold the interest. I like the way the legs are evidently wrapped around that branch, because it suggests some tension and drama. However, it's difficult to tell if that's what's going on or not. Most of the frame is dominated by the inert mass of the trunk, which is doing nothing for your composition. Take this composition, and move to the right about two feet so the feet (and maybe a little more of the body) are more centered in the frame, and make it a little easier for us to relate to the climber. Just an idea. Many other possibilities occur to me as I look at this photo.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
It's very minimal impact results from the technical shortcomings and questionable composition. More attention to those two areas probably would have saved this from being in the sleeper section of a challenge.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Your comments captured some of the things I was getting at, and your final score of 4.47 is about what I would have predicted. I should also add that I found your lack of a photographer's comment or any technical details about your photo frustrating (shutter, aperture, etc.). When you ask for a critique, you should consider sharing some of your own thoughts about your work. What were you aiming for? What did you like or not like about the photo? What were your frustrations with your composition, etc.? It can help your CC'er understand better your intent and purpose in make the image you did.

Onwards and upwards
by joynim

Comment by emayner:
the ankle does not bring out the shoes - there is too much of the tree trunk

Lace
by joynim

Comment by Jutilda:
I can't believe I never commented on this. Really a GREAT close up and not typical - I like the tilt of it. Lovely image. What a pretty kitty!

Onwards and upwards
by joynim

Comment by photojennic:
the glare ruined the cameras autofocus - the idea for the composition was creative and the angle it was shot at was terrific - Focus matters a lot to me

Onwards and upwards
by joynim

Comment by AnneFrance:
different POV, well done

Onwards and upwards
by joynim

Comment by Photogma:
This would have been *really* cool if the soles of the shoes didn't blend in with the tree. I really like the idea tho.

Lace
by joynim

Comment by Melethia:
What a wonderful expression! Nice detail and a complimentary background. Great shot.

Making a splash in 2005
by joynim

Comment by bugsbny32:
when i looked at this photo, the splash resembles an angel. does anyone else see it?