Will the Real Pencil Please Stand Up
by JLC

Comment by alexzen:
Welcome from the Critique Club :)

It looks like you had a good idea, but it did not score very well. Let me see if I can identify why. Your commenters have hit on several reasons.

Composition

It took me a awhile to find the 'alone' subject. Usually in this type of challenge you want to make sure your main subject stands out clearly. In this case the wooden pencil is quite hidden. Your image is centered. While the alone subject is on the thirds line, my eye goes right to the center where all the other pencils intersect.

Lighting

Very flat. The lighting does not allow the color to jump out and does not allow for any drama.

How could you improve this image?

Make sure you include all subjects in the image. Position the wood pencile such that it jumps out and that your eye goes right to it. Use a brighter light and then use levels to cause your white background to disappear, including shadows. Saturate your colors so they jump out. Make sure your subject is the center of attention, but not centered.

Please feel free to contact me via PM.

Ken
alexzen

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Snow on the Apricot Tree
by JLC

Comment by codfish:
I really like the pattern on this shot. Very well done.

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Winter Snow Storm
by JLC

Comment by codfish:
This is the kind of thing that when you are looking out at it with a coffee in hand it looks beautiful, when you have to put the coffe down and shovel it, it's quite a different story. Great capture!

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Snow on the Apricot Tree
by JLC

Comment by wickee_one:
I like the composition. It really shows how much the tree seems weighted down by all the snow.

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Winter Snow Storm
by JLC

Comment by wickee_one:
So very white and pure looking. I hope we get some nice snow like that here. They say we live in the "snow belt" but we have only seen it once (26 inches in less than 24 hours) in the almost six years we have lived here.

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Winter Snow Storm
by JLC

Comment by karmat:
Nicely captured. It looks so peaceful.

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Snow on the Apricot Tree
by JLC

Comment by elemess:
It looks like you've caught the moment just before the branches tip down too far under the snow's weight, spilling it all over the ground.

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Winter Snow Storm
by JLC

Comment by elemess:
That sure is an awful lot of snow piled up on some skinny branches. I like the hint of green in the front two trees.

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Winter Snow Storm
by JLC

Comment by KarenNfld:
Lovely!!

Slice of Life - Day 1 - Winter Snow Storm
by JLC

Comment by TheresaA:
Truly a winter wonderland!! Beautiful!!