Just Another Flower
by vlado

Comment by Jedusi:
I really like this shot. The crop, the processing and the composition.
Certainly it could have had a greater DoF to include the centre of the flower . . it could also have had more bighting sharpness . . but as Melethia says - there is a lovely gentleness about this picture which is aided by the toning.

My only nitpick is your title. For me titles are always important, (not that I'm great at them before you look) but they give the viewer an idea of what you are trying to capture and convey . . the message you want them to take away, or a context / framework to position the image in, even just a factual description of the object.

While this title may well have been intended as gently self depreciating, there is always a danger that it suggest you don't really care - and you know what ? If the artist doesn't really care - then why should the viewer ? You have a good range of titles on your other shot's and I think a shot as nice as this deserved more than 'Just another flower' ;- )

Crossing Pratt Street
by vlado

Comment by Ecce_Signum:
Greetings from Andi via the Critique Club for the second time this week lol.

First Impression: I love the jaunty angle, it frames the subject nicely but the sky is a bit blah. My first vote was a 6 and was bumped to a 7 on the second pass.

Composition: Excellent. The tilted aspect isn't to everybodies taste especially when there is no reason for it but it works well for me here and lines everything up nicely in the frame

Tecnical: Not 1005 sure about the colour/focus on the tree and the main subject is really just a black blob however, this is the street photography challenge so I'm not looking for studio lighting and whilst I'd like the colour to pop a little more I think its a great candid.

Artistic: Some people think using a jaunty angly on their shot makes it artistic but thats not true, there has to be a good reason for tilting the camera. For me the tilt here seems natural and everything fits nicely into the frame so yes, I think this is very artistic.

Overall thoughts: The zebra crossing, main tree, church and line down the road all work together and if it were shot at a different angle I think much of the impact would be lost. Choosing your moment to capture this image as the main subject crossed the zebra crossing is just inspired and I must say I prefer this to my last critique of your work - and that was a ribbon winner!

Unshaven
by vlado

Comment by shalrath:
I wish something was in focus completely here. Your title is unshaven, but even his beard is out of focus. The contrast is a little too much for what you were trying to convey, and the background blends into him.

Just Another Flower
by vlado

Comment by Melethia:
LOL! I just drew you from the Critique Club... I've already commented on this twice, though, and you know I like it...

OK. Got an 8 from me. I loved the slight raggedness of the bloom, and as I mentioned before, the gentleness this conveys to me. I, being me, of course love the monochromatic nature (flowers can be quite lovely in monochrome, says me.)

So why the 5.5? Your commenters provide a bit of a clue - some people hate borders, some what deeper depth of field, and some, though I simply cannot understand them, don't like flowers in monochrome. Oh, and you've gone and allowed grain in the photo. What were you thinking? :-)

Anyway, hope this provides a bit of insight. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to PM me.

Crossing Pratt Street
by vlado

Comment by vawendy:
Congrats for doing much better than you guessed! It is a very appealing street shot, and the angle works very well. I'm always impressed when someone can angle something successfully--I'm still trying to figure it out!

Strolling Along Puckle St
by vlado

Comment by Jutilda:
Love the kid in the red suit with her outstretched legs. Kind of goes with "Sportsgirl."

Vertigo
by vlado

Comment by Ecce_Signum:
Greetings from Andi via the Critique Club. Let me start by congratulating you on your first ribbon Vlado

First Impression: Fits the challenge well, a nicely framed colourful shot but, its another spiral staircase.

Composition: This is excellent, the frame is full with no wasted space and my eyes are taken on a rollercoaster ride around the image.

Tecnical: Its a basic challenge and think you did an excellent job with the lighting, exposure and focus. some voters might have wanted more detail at the bottom of the stairs but I like the mystery of whats down there.

Artistic: If you had left out the foliage I think you would have suffered in the voting and having it in the shot has added another dimension to the image. For me, the foliage is the difference between a good image and the work of an artist (and of course a runner up and a ribbon winner).

Overall thoughts: If I were able to get you to change one element it would be to have used a flash to bring out the foliage a bit more, I think it would have helped the image but unless I saw a comparison I can only wonder. Its a shot well worth your first ribbon, and hope its the start of good things for you here at dpc.

Crossing Pratt Street
by vlado

Comment by JunieMoon:
Great angle and use of tilted horizon.

Just Another Flower
by vlado

Comment by Melethia:
You may hate shooting flowers, but I like what you did with this one!

Crossing Pratt Street
by vlado

Comment by AJSullivan:
Were you only wearing one shoe when you took this? Very crooked. Doesnt really add much to the image.