tiffany
by gtp1164

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the People II DPChallenge.

Great job capturing your young subject. She looks very comfortable posing and appears mature beyond her age. It also looks like she has pose for photos before. She looks calm and confident.

The soft effect works in a limited way. There is too much softness in the facial area. Her left eye has too much soft process done. So it creates an immediate distraction. It also gives the image an uneven appearance. The shirt area has little or no soft effect applied. There is also some "pixelization" on the upper right corner as well as in the lower left corner of the frame. Also sometimes when you crop a photo closeup, you can see the photographer image in the subjects eyes, as in this case. This can be avoided by using a tripod and zooming in from a longer distance.

Overall a very nice photo of a young lady in her early childhood. Its a permanent familial keeper.

Good luck in your future DPChallenges.

Overall a great shot of a young lady. Less softness and watch those "orphan pixels".

Length Does Matter
by Montereykiddo

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the People II DPChallenge.

A good portrait of a man showing his hair length. The image has some whimsical and humor about it. I like the man's facial expression. His almost crinkle nose, sends a strong non verbal message. It's almost like he is contemplating a "haircut". I also like the close up framing of this shot. It brings the viewer into the scene right away. No guessing or looking for hidden or obsecure messages.

Technically there is a white balance issue. Some of the white area's are missing detail. The background seems to wash out a bit. The use of black and white makes the photo very appealing. However, there are some shadow and highlights problems. The strong glare on the man's forehead is a little distracting. A softer tone in the head area would have minimized the unbalance lighting. The point and focal area where the man is holding his hair length is wash out. His fingers and nails cannot be seen. Since this is an important element of the photo this had to be address initially. His right shoulder also appears to out of focus as well. I think this might be due to the harsh lighting coming from behind.

Overall and good shot, that will appeal to our voters.

Good luck in your future DPChallenges.

Waiting
by joaquin

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the People II DPChallenge.

You submission is very appealing in different ways. The focal point of the image is the young dancer"s face and then her eyes. She seems very proud of her dancing clothes and her dancing class experience. You have captured her innocence in a candid style.

Technically you have two major problems. One is the background. The other is her crossed leg posing position. The background was edited too strongly for black, leaving noise, halo affects in the photo. The upper right hand has uneven almost "moire" look to it. "Moire" are uneven color area's that occur when pixels are manipulated. I think black was the correct color for the background. Perhaps having a formal blackground backdrop would have avoided the post processing issues.
Try experimenting with your photo editor, where you don't clone the BG too much. There are many different techniques on the internet on generating backgrounds for a photo shoot.

Secondly, the position of the subjects legs show too much of her lower body. This creates distraction to the viewer.

Your foreground lighting is very good. Giving detail to the dancer's facial expression.

Good photo with lots of potential for improvement.

Good luck in your next DPChallenge.

Sena
by dartompkins

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to DPC People II challenge.

Your photo is nicely done. It presents the subject in a soft mood or ambiance. This is a good example of a protrait shot. Your subject selection is also good. She gives off a soft and delicate vibe. The choice of a black and white style gives it a timeless classic appeal.

What is missing is the contrast to the white areas in your photo. Some of the facial area's appear understated. There is also room for more detailed sharpness in the facial elements. Somehow the religious cross seems to shine in comparison to other parts of the image.

Another approach could have been a direct shot of the subject where her eyes could have been accessible. My preference would have been the way that you submitted the photo with some shadow and highlight editing.

Good job, of a protrait photo. Simple, yet elegant in its style.

Good luck in your next DPChallenge.

Colvin, "God bless you."
by ericsuth

Comment:
Thank you for submitting your photo to the People II, DPChallenge.
This is an excellent image of a person next to a signage doorway.

The message is clear and well done. The choice of black and white style, provides a unique look into the man's personality. He is from your description, socially and politically opininated and informed.

I like the look and tone of the photo. It tells the viewer a lot of information. Taking his photo on this particular doorway provides clues on the man's personality. Just curious, I see the large American flag, but I also see a small decal type of American flag, that appears to be upside down. I am sure that there is no message there. I also observe that the doorway to this building may possibly house a bank or similar type of official business, due to the FDIC sticker as well.

Technically the photo lacks some highlights and details. The white balance seems to be over exposed slightly, especially on the white area's of the frame. The subjects face is leaning to his right side. Almost saying, "I am in no rush" go ahead and take your best shot. The BG also appears a little blurred or needed highlights as well. I like the door showing its wear and tear lines. But those, also needed attention. The background also is giving a reverse reflection on to the camera. Giving the viewer a slight reflection distraction.

Overall, a great capture and composition.

Good luck in your future DPChallenges.

Hold My Hand Daddy, Hold My Hand
by twm122

Comment:
Thank you for entering your photo to the People II DPChallenge.

Its a great composition idea, showing father and son holding hands. The photo actually reads from left to right for me. The child hands first and the fathers hand second. I don't really see anything wrong with the diagonal approach shot except perhaps a crop, or resize the area closer the sons arm, so that it is perfectly straight across. Then giving it a more balance look from top to bottom.

The photo is lacking some middle image focusing. Where the two hands meet and are joined together. There are probably two approaches that can work. One is the one you presented, and one is a closer crop of the two hands joining. Your approach gives it a lower to upper feel. Where you can see the two generations visiably. A closer more sharper approach would have given a more intimate message.

The other factor here is the sepia type tone to the photo. If I am reading this right it looks almost retro in its nature. I like this but I wish it had a shaper focus. I know that this could be hard to do if you are moving forward. A higher shutter speed could have helped.

Again, good job and good luck in your next DPChallenge.

Portrait Of A Child Soldier
by Jecto

Comment:
Thanks for entering this image for your People II challenge.
Great compositon and good job with the lighting and focus.

Even though the photo was staged, it sends the message that are people like this through out the world. I believe its the way the eyes look, that give this image its appeal. The downward sad and defeated stare, the vacant and hopeless message it sends. For some reasons to make a total package, I would have liked to see the hands. They seem to be hidden, and tucked away. I also like the use of the wall as a background. It gives the image some balance and stability.

Great job, and good luck in your next DPChallenge.

Honesty
by Telehubbie

Comment:
This photo is true to the old adage, that a picture says a thousand words. Your image provides a sad commentary on some down and out people of our society.

The black and white style gives it a gritty and realistic feel. The position of the man in relation to the cars also sends a message. Its almost like life is passing him by. Like he is boxed into a corner. That the only thing left for him is to beg. And the only thing he has to communicate with, is this old worn out sarcastic sign. He in turn has a wry smile and has turn society off, with his demeanor and his earphones.

Again great capture and shooting style. I believe this photo would appeal to most voters, but there would be some that can not relate to it. Good job, and good luck in your next DP Challenge.

Couple
by photogenix

Comment:
Hi, and thank you for entering the DP People II challenge.
Your entry does qualify as a people photo, but the position that it was taken takes away from the subject.

You have a fantastic and magical digital camera. It can do wonderous and creative things for you. It was a people photo challenge. We really can't see the poeple in this photo. In order for others to appeal to this image you must bring out the human factor. One, is being able to view their faces, their body, and maybe even their clothes. All of this gives the viewer a point of reference on your subject.

You actually picked out a great subject, two older people trying to work one of those new fandangle digital camera's. The expressions on their faces would have scored higher points for you. The trees that surround them is also very distracting. Don't take a photo if you think the subjects will be annoyed by it. Don't take a photo if the subjects say no after you asked them. There are many people who are willing to be subjects. If you know these people you could have stood in front and taken your photo. If you don't know them and are timid about it, select someone else. The part of the actual people subjects you can see is the bored expression of the lady next to the man, who is taking the shot through his LCD viewfinder. That would have been an good place to focus from.

If you were trying take this photo as an abstract it also failed. Because again there is no connection between the viewer and the subjects.

Thank you for entering and keep shooting. Always keep the purpose of your photo first. In people photos you must always capture the eyes, and faces. Of course there are exceptions.

Good luck in your next DP Challenge.

Girls
by datcat

Comment:
The soft glow and feel of your photograph is excellent. The moment captured with daugther and mother is priceless.

The lighting is well done in the foreground, however the lighting in the background seems a bit bright. Just the same is adds glow to the entire scene. The colors and tone give it a warm and comfortable feel. I can almost see this photo in a magazine advertisment.

The shutter speed might have been increased to avoid the blurred affect on the hands and lipstick. Since this is the focus of the image, the eye is drawn to the moving elements. Also distracting is the blue image on the upper left corner of the image. Could have been light bounce of the girl's ribbon. Only guessing.

What also is well done is the "Candid" moment captured. I am sure that as we all know with a child subject, you get only so many chances.

Great submission for the People II challenge, good luck in your future contests.