My Waiting Angel
by Little King

Comment by taterbug:
Greetings from the Critique Club :-)

Well, this is your 'Afterlife' challenge entry. I think you met the challenge in a very creative and evocative way. I am sure most everyone would see the connection, although you probably suffered some low votes from people that simply are put off by this type of image. Still, a 5.
9 is not a bad score at all, so obviously the execution of your idea was not bad.

My first impression upon looking at the image is the grasp of your concept. The idea is definitely effectively portrayed. The model is quite attractive, and the costume seems to nicely fullfill your 'vision' without going overboard.

Your technicals here are pretty good. Focus is great. Deeper dof might have been nice, to get focus on the wings, but I'm not put off at all by the choice of going shallower. The lighting is good, but I could suggest maybe adding some type of fill light from the front left, even some reflectors. I think this could soften the shadow behind her hand and on the neck, as well as bring out just a touch more detail in her hair.

I like the composition with the exception of one thing, the empty space above her head :-) In this case, the space doesn't seem to serve any purpose, and I get a feel of being slightly unbalanced. Her gaze is going off to the right, maybe if she was looking more upwards, the space could come into play, but I don't think that would have worked as well. I believe the composition would be stronger with the framing tighter to her head. Her pose is nice. And I like how you've framed her slightly off centered. A minor attention to detail thing-the strap that is showing has a twist in it, little details like that can add up to increase the power of a photo, IMO.

Overall, a very nice image. A pleasing, creative take on the challenge, albeit one that as I'm sure you knew could polarize some of the voters. Well done, and I like the photo. I think the tighter crop (space at top) could have surely pushed your score above 6. Nice job.

If you have any questions, or comments or anything, please feel free to contact me.

Happy shooting,
taterbug :-)

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by CzechMan:
Wish this wasnt DQ'ed! This was hilarious!!

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by fotomann_forever:
BTW, I thought this was FUNNY as hell... LOL, still do. A classic!

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by DefyTime:
I gave you a 10...freak'n awesome

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by FotoMunki:
Truly a bummer! Obviously this was done after the challenge was announced - unless this is your Friday night "go out on the town" outfit. :-) The editing doesn't look anything out of the ordinary for Advanced Editing. Bummer.

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by skewsme:
This is terrible, a travesty. Oh Fu ManChunky, they know not what they do.

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by dleach:
bummer... I shoot raw and always leave the raw files laying around... but then again I haven't been this high in the ranking ;-).

Great picture.

My Waiting Angel
by Little King

Comment by hotpasta:
I was really sorry to see this finished 23rd...it deserved a ribbon...what a beautiful angel! I love the light and the pose and the colour, this is a stunning photograph

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by hotpasta:
Congratulations on the 4th placement Ryan...I think it was hillarious. Your Afterlife entry was sensational as well. Great work

Fu Manchu
by Little King

Comment by wavelength:
I do not envy you the cleanup this took later.