A Gehry design
by maxbuten

Comment:
This is a great idea, but I would have liked to have seen a slight larger image, and maybe a crop that didn't cut off the second slat in the upper left. The colors seem a little desaturated as well and flat. I think if you added a little more contrast, it would help sell the lighting.

Photosynthesis
by caba

Comment:
The composition of this photo is absolutely wonder. I love how you've decided to put the center of the "star" to the side of the photograph, gives it a very "landscape" feel. It's also very interesting how it both looks backlit.. yet also looks like it's being lit from the center of the "star" itself. Great work.. my favorite "leaf" of the challenge :)

last of the summer wine
by kiwinick

Comment:
I really don't like the harsh coloring of the sky in this shot. It takes your eye from the subject (which is a little dark), and gives the shot a really poor feel.
The change of shading is very harsh and noticeable as well, although I'm not sure if this was intentional.

Sam Houston the Great
by edwalk74

Comment:
I think if you had closed down the aperature a couple of stops, used a fill flash, and opened the shutter a little bit longer, this shot would have benefitted greatly. I love the idea though, it's a perfect source for back lighting.

The Hack
by PaulMdx

Comment:
Brilliant picture.. A little *too* much silhouetting going on, but I think the fact that the screen is visible helps to counter that. Can't wait until next week to find out the details behind this shot :)

Leaf of Life
by Impulse

Comment:
My only complaint with this is the shadow of the stem on the right side. It throws the balance of the image off too much for me.

doppleframers
by Artyste

Comment:
Thank you very much photom! Excellent critique, and I agree with all of it! :)

As for the backdrop, I'm still working on purchasing decent ones (this was a shower curtain, all I have). I chose the orange fleece so that it would be a complementary color to the blue, and while I figured most voters wouldn't "get" it.. I personally love the color combination. But your comments have started me thinking on what could have worked better.

I tried to get down lower in the mirror, but it threw the 3-way perspective off far too much, and I *do* wish it had been advanced editing. However, I've heard "spend more time working on your work area/setup" a lot lately, and that's something I'm trying to take to heart. A good cleaning of that mirror (instead of the cursory wipe-down I gave it) would have helped a lot.. something I simply didn't notice until now.

So yah.. a lot to think about, and to work on, and I'll be doing both :)

Again, thank you for taking the time, It's hugely appreciated!
This image has become my new user icon now though, because.. while not flattering to the masses.. has become a personal favorite (especially when sized down to 120x90.. lol)

Sun Break
by Zoomdak

Comment:
I don't know how close Cannon Beach is to Gold Beach (I said Gold Coast earlier, I always mix that up).. but I knew it was *somewhere* in Oregon :) My favorite coastline!

Anyway, as I said, congratulations on the ribbon. It wasn't one of my favorite shots of the challenge, but it really is a beautiful photograph.

Four for the wall
by mrorange002

Comment:
I *really* love this shot.. (and, embarrassingly, was waiting for it to be validated before commenting). I figured you probably took and printed out the photographs you used in the frames there, but wasn't sure. .. ANYway :)

It's a wonderful idea, very playful. I find the B&W a touch too dark, although the contrast is great. The girl has great expressions on her face, but it's hard to see the last two, unfortunately.

Good work, great creativity, and a photograph you'll probably treasure for a long time :)

San Francisco Night Life
by md8speed

Comment:
I really like this shot except for the soft focus on it, although I realize that the fog probably had something to do with that. The skyline also looks a little of kilter to me.
I'd also have maybe tried another angle to bring the Trans-America building more into the shot. It's cliche to have it as a focal point, I know, but to have it sitting at the edge kind of diminishes the strength of the skyline.. in my opinion.

It's an excellent attempt, and I'd love to see more work on the skyline in the future :)