Majestic Take-Off
by teachme53

Comment by kaycee:
Hard to capture these guys sharply - I know first hand! So, the image is a bit blurry.

Majestic Take-Off
by teachme53

Comment by Gracious:
Oh man! This reminds me of the bald eagle I saw this week, fired off a few shots, then realized after it was too late, that my camera was in macro mode. grrrrr...you did much better than me!

Dear "John"
by teachme53

Comment by kandyj:
Critique Club:

Meeting the Challenge: Does this well, the model and photograph "planner" did well illustrating this emotion at the focal point of the image.

Composition: Would have liked to see a tighter crop, eliminating the furniture, and cords behind the girl. I think it would have added some extra drama to the shot. I like the way the girls arm leads to the letter.

Technical Quality: I am not one that prefers graininess in any photos unless they are intended to be abstract (and as I said, that's my personal preference). There are a lot of jpg artifacts to the right of the girl, and by the desk, which are unattractive. I do like the darkness of the focal point, helping to emphasize the dark mood.

Creativity: I think you did well with this at the focal point. Even though the photo is staged, you put a lot of effort into all the details with the subject, good job.

Overall Conclusion: As noted above, a tighter crop and increased photo quality would have helped this shot a lot, although the message is right on.

If you have questions, feel free to email me!

Kandice Jones

A Study In Shadows
by teachme53

Comment by justine:
CC Hello teachme53
Fits The Challenge-Yes.
Composition-Lovely
Background-N/A
My Opinion-The pose, the girl, the light is so wonderful here....butterscotch cream. The focus is the only negative that I can possible pick at. I like this, I like here, the shot! Good work. Hope you'll try a tripod if you didn't. This is nice work.

A Study In Shadows
by teachme53

Comment by RLS:
John,

I really thought this image would be in the ribbons. I think this is excellent. Good job.

Bob

A Study In Shadows
by teachme53

Comment by lisae:
This girl looks kind of old fashioned or maybe a bit churchy. It gives the image an odd feeling for me. The lighting even makes it seem like she's reading a book by candle light.

Dear "John"
by teachme53

Comment by inspzil:
If this photo was at all clear, it would merit a good score from me. I like the idea

A Study In Shadows
by teachme53

Comment by inspzil:
I'm not sure how this meets the challenge. Regardless, the photo needs to be much clearer and crisper. The focus just isn't there. I'd have lost the glasses too.

Dear "John"
by teachme53

Comment by MattW:
nice depressing picture...

Dear "John"
by teachme53

Comment by kiwiness:
This is a staged photo and I don't really like to vote staged despair photos too high but somehow you have really brought out the despair in the girl's face in this image. You have captured this one well because I feel the despair she is feeling. It is a tad blurry tjough but the effect you have created is great....