IMG_4004-edit-1
by JokersSoul

Comment by Ja-9:
I definitely like this one best so far...will do more notes

The Duck
by JokersSoul

Comment by zainab:
Good shot, especially considering the camera...

Might I suggest trying to enter a few shots from that camera into contests?

You'll end up on the camera page for that camera, pretty much guaranteed. :)

Fenced In
by JokersSoul

Comment by Neat:
Cool.

Fenced In
by JokersSoul

Comment by mrbig65:
great picture,,,,,,,,,,cool looks on the fench,,,,,,

The Bunt
by JokersSoul

Comment by MattO:
This got a 5 from me. Things I would change, wait for the actual play to happen, this is before the fact, I need the ball in the frame otherwise this could be taken while the pitcher still has the ball. The other thing I would change is your positioning. The background is too busy with too much space between the batter and catcher. Move down the first base line on this and it will bring the angle of the batter and catcher to give the appearance they are closer then they are. It will allow you to crop tighter and cut out much of the dead space in the photo that does nothing for it. I won't mention the processing that makes it look unnatural as I feel that is a DPC thing and wouldn't be done in the real world for news print.

The Bunt
by JokersSoul

Comment by amateurboi:
I like the post-processing in this one.

The Bunt
by JokersSoul

Comment by bohemka:
I really like this one. Cool crop, too. Nice.

The Fence
by JokersSoul

Comment by Tammster:
I agree with Janine. I'd at least like to see it with a "blurrier" background to show a smaller DOF.

You might want to try a new Topaz Adjust layer but this time use simplify or one with a lot less details. Then you can create a mask and do as Janine suggested and mask out the part of the picture you don't want blurry (the fence).

I think the fence is really perfect (nice composition & details) but I'm afraid the background will reduce your score.

The Fence
by JokersSoul

Comment by Ja-9:
do you want to make your background softer??? Here is what I do...make a background copy then I apply a strong Gaussian Blur (in the large file) chose a filter then reduce the opacity (slightly as you want the strong gaussian blur there) then I erase over the fence line to bring back the integrity of the sharpness of the photo...it can soften the background quite a bit...makes it dreamy like (bokeh)

The Fence
by JokersSoul

Comment by CNovack:
B&W tones are very dynamic and really great - lots of texture and detail on the wood fence. Lighting has some really cool light and shadows shown falling on the fence. B&W is the better choice to present this because they eye can appreciate the play of light and shadow and also the textures seen. Now that is what I find as high positives. What I have found in my experience here at DPC is that a good number, not all mind, of 'artsy' type shots get buried by sweeping landscapes or 'eye-popping' eye-candy; nothing wrong with those mind you but most don't give artsy shots equal rewards of high marks. The one critique I do want to point out with your composition is that the background tangle of trees are in as sharp focus and have alot of detail that it detracts attention away from your main subject (too much detail is what got me into very critical waters with and low score:-( ). Bokeh effect or a different angle of shooting could have decreased or eliminated the backdrop from edging in and calling focus away from your main subject. The photo has many strong points and would, I think, score well with a majority 'artsy crowd', but DPC is a salad bowl of different 'vegetables':-) If you so choose to submit the positive is that your photo/art will be seen by a greater number of people than just sitting in your portfolio...and hey you just might also get a good score (one just never knows which crop of voters they will be getting)