Happy Wheelby
BobsterLobsterComment: *** Greetings from the Critique Club ***
This comes a bit late, hope that's o.k.
Challenge
No matter what some people say, this qualifies for the challenge. In fact this one is one of the more interesting submissions in this challenge. While this is not a wheel, I would think the shape of it would matter the most. Endless shots of carwheels and trains and such resulted in a very boring challenge, shots like this broke it up a bit.
Composition
The composition is simple and effective, simple subject requires it I think. Crop is a bit tight, a little more space on top might work as well, giving the red "flame" some space to gradually blend into the black background.
Lighting
I have no idea how you lit the subject, but for this effect you seem to have done a good job, you can see the outlines in spite of what seems to be extensive post-processing.
Camera work
Seems like you did a good job here, the face shows nicely in spite of a long shutter speed. Again it's not very relivant what the DOF and such things do, it's a bit abstract (which is nice).
Post-Processing
I guess you spent a lot of time on the post processing. Your hands were a bit tied by the basic rules for this type of processing, and I guess the original had to be processed greatly to produce an interesting. You had a tough job on your hands. I like what you did in the situation, make a bit surreal image with strong colors and contrast set to very high, darkening the background is nicely done considering the rules and all. A few spots are too sharp compared to the whole image (top of head, bottom of chin e.t.c.) but not in a destructive way as such, it's a give and take with the rules. Good job on the post processing I would say.
Title and Info
Including "Happy" in the title was a good choice, it's got a ring to it. The info on the other hand should be a lot more extensive. While the left part of the info area is good ("Photograph Information"), The "Photographer's Comments" is left blank. A shot like this one should have some deal of additional info for explaining, fistly I would like to know what the subject is and the scale of it. I would also want to know how the setup was, and how it was lit and how the background was made. The post processing should also be explained, at least in a few words.
Overall (my opinion)
I think it's an interesting and fun submission in an otherwise dull challenge. While not technically flawless, I think it's nicely done within the rule frame. I think the low score reflects how many people here tend to look at the technical things (...some people think a technically well done shot is a good shot), and the fact some people were looking for dull wheels on cars, trains and cycles.
Hope this helps, (excuse my english spelling and grammar, I am icelandic)
Best regards, Tyrkinn
Photographer found comment helpful.
