What I Did Last Summer — Image Comments
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For our first ever online "theme" competition, we are looking for variations of that first day of school mini-essay "How I spent my summer vacation". Show us what you did this past summer. Find images that capture the playfulness of "school's out" and the dramatic ranges in light and mood that summer brings. Show us your travels, adventures or observations.
For this first theme, we will accept images captured from the official start of summer 2007 until the closing date of the theme.
The following members helped provide feedback on 33 images:
David Emery, Keith Griffiths, Shona L, Peter E, Genoveva Regehr, Derek Carlin, Grace Darney, Lou Misshula, Tatiana Robinson, Linda Budd, Joshua Holder, and Mary Ann Burton
Most helpful member was Keith Griffiths, who made 30 comments covering 30 images.
5 voting members helped rank the images.
Top Ranked Images
Picking dandelion
by Genoveva Regehr
Sep 22/2007Strengths:Ahhh, a very nicely captured moment of innocence. The low camera angle to capture her face and the seed head, the even green background, the positioning of the girl...all well done.Suggestions:Not much to add here, and nit picky at that. Crop the two out of focus leaves on the left, and maybe a larger appeture if you had one to blur the background a bit more. A pleasing image.- Strengths:I think this image captures perfectly the curiosity and wonder of a child. Dandelion seeds are not something most adults are attracted to. It appears candid and is nicely posed, with enough background information to tell the story, and nothing more.Suggestions:The large out of focus leaves on the left are a little distracting. I think the bulk of them could be cloned out without impacting the composition too much. A little Photoshop work could clone them out too, if you wanted a large framed image.
Let's wait for sunset
by Genoveva Regehr
- Strengths:Nice framing with the tree and bench linesSuggestions:include a bit more of the bench and shoot from a slightly higher viewpoint to raise the sand bar above the head.Response:Thanks, I actually have those shots but made a mistake sending the wrong one!
- Strengths:Although this is an often-done type of image, it has a charming twist that the people on the bench appear to be children. The soft colours contrast well with the dark tree and bench.Suggestions:Perhaps cropping just around the fork of the tree would keep my eye from wandering up the tree and out of the picture.
Sleeping in tent
by Genoveva Regehr
- Strengths:A good family moment, catching a time of 'no worries'.Suggestions:The image is fine the way it is.Response:Thanks! As me and my husband were both tired,loading the van and unloading beddings! I said, that maybe next year we won't be camping anymore because of so much work with two kids! As I'm puttiing them to sleep, my son said" you know what I like about camping Mommy! is sleeping in a tent! so, I took this photo!
- Strengths:Simplicity. This photograph says one thing, without distraction. I might not have picked up on the "tent" without the title. Focus is on the child's face.Suggestions:Exposure is good but there seems to be a colour cast, no doubt caused by light through the tent walls.
I wrote a website
by Derek Carlin
- Strengths:This is funny. I'm sure almost everyone can relate to this story, although computers aren't usually so obliging about pointing out mistakes in an obvious manner. The whole "red" theme throughout carries the theme and there's a little "for members only" joke via the club website.Suggestions:There is plenty of information there to make the message clear; no suggestions.
- Strengths:Emotion comes to mind, frustration is very well handled here. Obviously a set up shot with all the components and details dealt with. The choice of a red shirt and the warm lighting add to the anger against the cold hard blue facts of the error screens.Suggestions:It would be nice the remove the ID tag in the upper right corner behind the subject's shoulder.Response:Yes, I was so concerned about getting my position/lighting right that I didn't check my backgrounds as thoroughly as I should have. (I would have taken out the kleenex box and mug as well) ... shot this around 6AM in my office before other people arrived. Wanted to use the LCD monitors there, since there is less hassle with scanlines compared to CRTs (which is all I have at home)
Pathway to Serenity
by Joan Greaves
- Strengths:A very restful country setting. The road moves off into the distance and goes around a bend out of sight --- the eye naturally wants to follow the road. The direction of the road vertically in the frame harmonizes with the vertical lines of the trees. The shot is side-lit, giving some pleasing shadows to the scene and allowing for some contrast in the image.Suggestions:It's a nice image the way it is. You could play with cropping abit so that the road becomes more prominent (e.g. crop some of the right off. The image might become a stronger vertical shot as a result and the road would become a major feature. If you get a chance to take this kind of shot again, you could increase the dramatic feel of the road by getting the camera closer to the ground and using a wider angle to make the receding path of the road even more prominent. If angles allowed it, try turning so the road crosses the whole frame, forming a strong diagonal that would pull the eye across the image. And since the eye wants to naturally follow the road, a subject of interest at the farther end might also give an interesting shot (e.g. the back of someone walking out of the frame).
- Strengths:Pathways are such welcoming subjects. They just invite you into the frame. Although this one has contrasting light, details are visible and the sun and shade help to add to the mood of a nice day on a sheltered forest path.Suggestions:It works well just as it is.
- Strengths:The serenity is the first thing that stikes here, it is difficult light conditions for a forest shot but quite well handled.Suggestions:It is a nice image but maybe tone down the grass in the lower right corner as it draws the eye away from the path.
- Strengths:The trees and the pathway! I feel like going for a walk!, nice color and lightning!Suggestions:I want to see a person walking there,otherwise it's a nice shot
Sunflower
by Joan Greaves
- Strengths:This is one instance where a central composition works, and the cropping of the top a little helps the composition. The radiating colours in the centre hold your attention.Suggestions:Bright yellows are hard to photograph. To get the exposure accurate on the centre, some detail was sacrified in the petals. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, since the centre is the main subject, but the yellow is attention grabbing.
- Strengths:Wow, the colours really pop. The central circle is an effective composition for a graphic design as this and the cropped edge of the flower adds a bit of tension.Suggestions:Colours on flowers like this are always so striking on bright sunny days, but for the limited range of contrast that cameras can capture, it is usually better to photograph them on days with light overcast.
- Strengths:A round subject centrally placed to emphasize its radial symmetry. Yellow is a very strong colour, so the ring of petals really stands out. The exposure preserved the seeds in the centre of the flower. It is interesting the repeating rings of colour towards the centre, brown and then almost black.Suggestions:It's a shame the petals at the top and bottom got cropped a bit. I would have liked to have seen the flower in its entirety. You could overshoot the subject and then crop after to keep from bringing too much on the sides.
Goldfinch
by Joan Greaves
- Strengths:A brightly coloured bird in a fairly well exposed situation, most detail is preserved in this image allowing us to appreciate the animal. The artist has used selective depth of field to blur out the distracting background so that the subject stands out from it.Suggestions:Given that this is am "image of opportunity", you can't always have the animal do what would be most interesting. This is a fairly static shot, it might be nice to have an image of the animal "doing" something ... but since that would be with it's head down pecking at seeds, that might not work. The contrast between light and shadow is strong, to the extent that you lose some of the detail around the eye. The back is brightly lit and on the verge of blowing out, so maybe 1/2 to 1 stop less exposure might have helped there? (since it is a bright subject). If it doesn't disrupt your visitors, try a little bit of tinfoil on the feeder to provide an impromptu reflector to provide some fill light for the shadows and allow for more balanced lighting. Cropping thoughts? You have a lot of space at the top for a strong single static subject ... in this case having the bird more central in the frame might be better? Try cropping off some of the top and see what you think? Also the left edge could come in a little bit to remove at least the side of the seed resevoir (water bottle?) --- all this to try and reduce the number of distracting elements in the frame.
- Strengths:Wow, pretty bird and great colour. The depth of field is handled very well with the background reduced to a colour wash.Suggestions:A bit of fill flash would bring out the birds chest and add a catch light to its eye.
- Strengths:The yellow colours! and how the bird posing on the side.Suggestions:Maybe to see the birds eye!
- Strengths:The bird is so sharp against the background that your eyes are just drawn to it. The fact that it is such a rarely seen colour doesn't hurt!Suggestions:The edge of the feeder is quite a bright distraction. It could easily be cropped off, still leaving enough information so you'd know where the bird was.
Melton Mowbray's Gift
by Justin Ball
- Strengths:This is an intriguing image that requires a little scrutiny. It is a somewhat unconventional "still life" - an arrangement of objects that tell a story. The food and wrapper are tack sharp, exposure is perfect, and the other objects, and the background, are essential to the story. There are no distractions.Suggestions:As it is works just fine. A stronger story might be created with less emphasis on the food. As it is, this half-eaten snack is definitely the main subject and the other objects define the circumstance.
- Strengths:This would make a good segment in a travel documentary. It has the all the elements of lunch on the road except the drink.Suggestions:It needs a drink container
- Strengths:Nice! Perfect light.Suggestions:Some of the backgound, papers, I would like to see it in a small plate.
Road to the Coast
by Justin Ball
- Strengths:The framing of the image with the console improves what might have been a more average "out the window" type travel shot. The landscape itself is visually interesting as you appear to be an the bottom of a steep gulley. The distortion in the image at the edges by the windshield also adds some visual interest in the surroundings, the beginnings of an abstracting effect.The viewer wants to image a breakneck pace flying down the highway, about to overtake slower motorists ... but then one is brought up short by looking at the dial and seeing you're only doing 30mph. Amusing.Suggestions:The sky is lost in this one ... but going any darker on the exposure would have introduced undesirable motion blur? Though maybe that could have been interesting in its own way. It would be interesting to see the same image with a variety of settings to see which combination gives the most pleasing effect ... as you fall off the bike trying to adjust your shutter/ :-)
- Strengths:This image gives a strong feeling of "being there" and has been technically well handled to keep everything sharp, both in depth of field and free from subject movement. The background objects draw your eye and tie into the story.Suggestions:The lighting is a little flat on the scenery, but in brighter conditions, contrast would probably have become a problem, so it's a fair trade-off.
- Strengths:The viewer is drawn into this right away, the viewer becomes the driver. I'm not sure how you did it but the effect was worth the effort.Suggestions:The only thing to wish for is less grey in the sky.
- Strengths:It's nice shot. It seems, the bikers is not speeding on this case.Suggestions:Not much! Blue sky maybe!
- Strengths:Wonderful V shape caused by the mountains. Love the view from the drivers seat...feel very centred. Makes me want to travel, esp by motorcycle.Suggestions:The only real colour seems to be on the left hand side of the photo. The poles with their bit of red, yellow licence plate, red at bottom left of photo. Maybe bring out the pink a little more on the bottom right hand side of photo (?) or any other opportunity of colour in the right hand side of frame?
Red On Yellow
by Tony Van Straubenzee
- Strengths:Strong central subject, with two very contrasting sides makes the flower visually interesting. The opening and interior has just enough focus that the eye wants to "see inside".Suggestions:A wider aperture might have blurred the backgroud a bit more? there's enough variation in the background leaves that it distracts the eye somewhat from the main subject, but the blurring that's there is not bad. The top of the flower appears to have a blown out highlight (at least on my monitor) ... maybe 1 stop lower exposure would have preserved those details and improved saturation even more.
- Strengths:Nice macro focus and detail, the depth of field is good, you can make out the supportting leaves but they don;t fight with the blossom.Suggestions:Maybe a little less exposure to add more definition in the red area and lower the highlight on the yellow portion. Maybe back up just a bit to give the flower more breathing room at the top.
Look Ma No Hands
by Tony Van Straubenzee
- Strengths:An interesting action shot, capturing a moment often too brief to be appreciated while watching the event. While the sky is blown out, that can be forgiven in that the subject detail has been preserved. Some humor can be gleaned from this shot in the feeling that the motorcycle and rider are flying headfirst into the trees (aided by the compression of distance from the (assumed) long focal length)Suggestions:The focus is just a bit soft, but that's to be expected in this kind of shot where things were flying fast. If the camera was on auto, things might have gone better on manual if you could open the aperture another stop to get a faster shutter?
- Strengths:This image has a LOT of initial impact. It is a real 'capture the moment or it's lost' sort of image. It is hard to imagine that someone would ride a bike like that on porpose, and apparently flying into a tree just adds to the impression.Suggestions:Any 'what iffs' I can think of are out of the photographers control, so I have nothing to add.
- Strengths:Just amazing! camera can do! the strenght is the man flying and the bike's color. It shows the motion.Suggestions:Nothing really, it's excellent shot!
Fire In The Sky
by Tony Van Straubenzee
- Strengths:The position of the boat makes this shot for me. (you should have paid him $25 more to put up his mast! :-) ). Execution of the exposure is good -- any longer and the blur in the water waves would have started to look "unnatural"Suggestions:I don't think there's anything I would do significantly different in this shot. Well done.
- Strengths:The colour, contrast and silhouette create a lot of impact. There is a contrast between the tranquil appearance of the boat in the foreground and the explosion of fireworks in the background.Suggestions:Because all the light is in the centre, the first thought was to make it a vertical, which would add the implication of strength and power, but it is the contrast, and overpowering, of the city lights that give this story perspective. I wouldn't change a thing.
- Strengths:Fireworks are usually shot as verticals, but with the reflection and the solitary boat the image does have the relaxed feel empowered by a horizontal aspect.Suggestions:Normally I would suggest moving the 'central' subject over a bit but in this case there is nothing to gain by it. May a crop to square to increase the impact of the colour and reduce the black.
- Strengths:What a great Vancouver photo. The sillouette of the boat makes the picture.Suggestions:Possily a vertical would work well with this subject also and lengthen the reflection in the water.
Hot air rises
by David Emery
- Strengths:I like the composition and the strength of the flames.Suggestions:I might lighten the picture or increase the exposure to bring out the colours of the balloon.
- Strengths:The position of the balloon panels - off-centre, radiating down from the top, with the opening to the blue of the sky, at the bottom - give a good balance to the composition. The gold of the flame (again, well-placed, off-centre)is the right accent to a rather heavy image.Suggestions:Most of the detail is lost in the lower half of the frame. This is not a major detriment, but a little more exposure would have provided this detail, without washing out the colours of the ballon segments.
- Strengths:The fire and the blue sky make a lovely contrast, and I like the bright colours in the fabric too.Suggestions:Overall I might be tempted to 'lighten up' the image somehow... the foreground and the dark band above the bright blue seem awfully dark to me.
- Strengths:A nice dynamic shot. I follow the flame to the top and then the bright sky pulls me to the bottom and I follow the flame up again.Suggestions:Lighten the dark area near the middle just a bit.
- Strengths:Nice colour! the lamp and the baloon! the blue background!Suggestions:Little bit against the light!
- Strengths:The flame, of course. Aren't we all drawn by fire? The choice of format and the vertical lines all work to draw your eye up through the image. Wonderful saturated colours too.Suggestions:Maybe just a little more room above the frame. It looks like it's going to singe the top of the frame.
Into the Sun
by Shona L
- Strengths:Strength...Stark simple graphic arrangement of a tight cluster of three vs an open cluster of three. Intersting viewpoint with no real horizon line but just an artificial line tying across the sun beams.Suggestions:None at this time, blah blah blah to fill up space.
- Strengths:I was really attracted to the image in the thumbnail version. It gives a feeling of old time sailing.Suggestions:The larger picture on my screen seems a little too filtered or sharpened. But I think the large version when it is further away works well. A large print from a good distance should really work well.Response:I was surprised at the impact of this shot when it came out of the camera. It is cropped a little, but was a very contrasty scene and is not sharpened at all.
- Strengths:I love what you've done with the background, and the quality of the light.Suggestions:Red canoe? No, sorry... maybe just a touch more emphasis on the horizon? Otherwise perfect!
- Strengths:A good monochromatic image. The shimmering water sillouhetting the sailboats makes for a striking image. There is a sense of repetition in that the boats are very similar in appearance and oriented in the same direction. The two groups of boats straddle the center rather than being a central composition.Suggestions:there is a dingy (from a boat out of frame I assume) on the left side that's a bit of a distraction. "it would be nice" if it weren't there. Cropping it out though might move the other boats too close to frame edge. If you're not a purist, photoshop could remove it easily since the pattern of the water is uniform in that area.
I painted with light on starry trails.
by Derek Carlin
- Strengths:It is a crisp clean image with no wind blur. I do like the way the foreground trees are lite to give a familiar grounding to the image but the trees darken as they receede into the darkness of the sky. A very creative night shot with light painting.Suggestions:The rock cliff at the bottom could do with a little less light painted onto it. The brightness tends to draw my eye away from the sky and out the bottom of the image.Response:yes, this was my first time light painting and wasn't sure how much light needed to be "sprayed". The tops needed more time too (as the light from the flashlight was diffused a lot by the time it got 30-50 feet up). Next time I might want to try coloured gels as well ... red cliffs, yellow/green on the trees, etc.
- Strengths:The positioning of the trees, and their minimal lighting provide a foreground to the streaming stars, without obscuring the stars. There's certainly an atmosphere of being out in the woods on a dark night,with a clear moonless(?)sky spread with stars.Suggestions:A longer exposure would have made the star streaks longer (which may have made a stronger scene) but might have made the trees more obtrusive. This would have been worth trying. As it is, the image is difficult to see unless it is blown up full-screen.Response:yes, this was the last exposure tried on what was becoming a rather cold night -- so didn't want to dally too long! the exposure was the time needed for light painting plus about 5 minutes more to allow for some trails. Didn't want to spend longer on it this time until I could see how the idea was going to work. But next time I definitely want to try a longer exposure. (30 minutes?) this was pure digital and I find it a bit grainy/noisy. Next time I might try this one in film.
- Strengths:It has a compelling mix of light and dark, both in appearance and mood. The swooping angle of the star trails works with the angle of the horizon. Was that planned? I would guess that headlights or a deliberate light source were used to light the foreground; it seems a little warm in tone to be flash. That definitely separates the image from the silhouetted background normally seen in this type of image.Suggestions:Although the amber/beer bottle brown sky harmonizes with the foreground light, it has an unnatural feel to it; perhaps a little tweaking with colour balance? Also, the brightly lit foreground (bottom edge) is somewhat harmonious with the stars, is a draw to the eye and I wonder if it would be more effectively toned down or cropped out.Response:yes, the bottom is a bit bright (my first time trying light painting ... so didn't know how much to "spray" :-) ). The brown colour of the sky is what was there actually ... it's light pollution from a town north of our position -- some said Princeton(?) Too dim to be seen with naked eye, the photons still pile up on a long exposure. So it's both "natural" (it was actually in the image) and "unnatural" (a product of man). This being the first time I shot star trails, I left colours as I "found them", especially since I liked the variety of colours in the star light.
Lake Louise
by Lou Misshula
- Strengths:Good placement of the left and right peaks, with the left mass higher and heavier, leading the eye down to the distant ridge framed between the peaks. Good colour and texture in the water, with the far shore placed low in the frame. Clouds well-placed,adding interest and visual balance to the sky.Suggestions:If the image could have been manipulated (without affecting any of the other values)to give more detail in the left peak, it could have relieved the heavy weight of the dark mass.
- Strengths:Big lake, bigger maountain, tiny canoes, a classic composition with a couple of boats to set it off. The break in the clouds added just enough light on the lake to set the canoes off from the background. Technically the exposure was well handled given the mid day lighting. The clouds are an important part of this image, it just wouldn't be the same without them.Suggestions:All I can say is a bit of editing in photoshop to bring out the mid tones a bit to reveal more colour and detail in the mountain.
- Strengths:the artist shows us an image with the 3 major landscape components (water, land and sky) in a balanced composition. The horizon has been moved off-centre enphasizing the sky and mountains. The exposure is done well enough that detailing in the clouds is preserved without losing too much to the shadows.Suggestions:This image is all "background". It would be nice if there could have been at least one foreground element to add to the sense of depth. If you were on the shore of the lake, then maybe some nearby grass or trees? or a person on one side looking out over this view? or even a red canoe? :-)
Athabasca Falls
by Lou Misshula
- Strengths:A strong nature composition. The portrait aspect lends itself to the vertical flow of the image. The eye naturally starts out at the mountain top and flows easily down, following the river out of the frame. The rainbow is a nice touch as well, a splash of colour in the middle of the greens and grays of the background.Suggestions:On my monitor, the whites of the water are blowing out at the top and losing detail. Since this aspect is not a "normal" scene, I would have maybe tried closing the exposure down a little to retain the foamy details. My eye would more easily forgive losing the darker areas of the tree shadows than a glaring blob of featureless white. When unsure, try bracketing the shots over several stops next time and pick the best exposure later?Response:Thanks for the comments. I will see if I can bring back some of the details in the water. Cheers, Lou
- Strengths:All the elements - the falls, framed by tall trees, and the massive mountain against an appropriate sky - have been perfectly composed. The whole scene is held within the frame, so that the eye travels from the mountain, follows from the middle-distance line of trees to the rim of the falls then, at a slight diagonal, down the gorge to the tumble of spray at the bottom. The faint rainbow above the rim is another nice accent.Suggestions:No practical suggestions. The maker has done a great job with a beautiful scene.
- Strengths:Composition is pleasing, with something for your eye to follow all the way around the central subject. The rainbow is a nice addition to the image.Suggestions:I'm not sure if it is just the computer rendition or not but there appears to be a loss of detail or over exposure in the upper portion of the falls. Perhaps a tad less exposure overall and then recover the dark details in editing software would help.Response:I did adjust the image in a later version, and you are right, it does look better with a little more details in the water. Thanks for the comments.
- Strengths:The white waterfalls! and the mountain, and the rainbow!Suggestions:I would wait later to avoid the bright sun, a little overexpose, maybe use a polarizer.Otherwise it's a dramatic scenery, for I love nature!
- Strengths:The power of the water and the strength of the mountains are complemented by the appropriate choice of vertical format. The rainbow is just a nice little addition. The line of the falls takes your eye right up to the mountain.Suggestions:A sunny day creates a lot of light on the white froth of the water, so detail is lost on the sunlit portion. Slightly less exposure might have brought out a little detail while adding some saturation to the mountain and sky. Waterfalls are most effectively shot on overcast days but then the mountain would have been backed by a distracting white. Just a tough situation to capture.
- Strengths:I love the composition.Suggestions:The middle of the falls looks just a bit overexposed. Possibly a filter would help.
Barrels
by Shona L
- Strengths:The maker has caught the action at exactly the right moment. The position of the horse, with the rider leaning away against the turn, give a strong sense of motion and tension, increased by the blurring of everything but the horse's head. The barrel, positioned centrally in the frame, is the pivot for the whole scene. Cropped tightly on the left, but there's space for the implied movement to the right side. Use of b&w, and the flying dust, add to the gritty atmosphere.Suggestions:No suggestions - a great p-j shot, very well handled.
- Strengths:the deliberate choice of a slow shutter makes this one stand out. With the rest of the image static, the lone horse and rider really stand out as a subject in motion. The sepia toning brings a bit of an "old fashioned/down-home/country" feel to what was probably a rural event.Suggestions:I can't see anything specifically that I would do with this image to improve it.
- Strengths:Great timing, the horses head and barrel sharp, and the rider in total motion. It really gives the impression of the effort being exurted by both the rider and horse to make the turn.Suggestions:The right side could be cropped back almost to the barrel to tighten up on the action.
- Strengths:it's the motion of the animal! how the person is swung around, It's a very difficult to take this show I bet!Suggestions:I like to see it in coloured, more appealing to the eyes, but it's nice to try and changed colour to experiment!
- Strengths:i love the feeling of motionSuggestions:possibly a faster shutter speed would sharpen the subject just a bit more, while leaving the feeling of motion
Farm porch vignette
by Peter E
- Strengths:There is a bit of a story here, and a bit of mystery; the colours and textures in the wood add visual interest.Suggestions:Perhaps if the blue wood had been moved so that it didn't touch the edge of the lighter wood in the background, its definition would be a little stronger.
- Strengths:The image is technically well done, sharpness throughout this type of shot is important and well handled here.Suggestions:There are two elements in this composition the hat and the chair, but I'm not sure which is more important. If it is the chair, I would like to see the post moved over and not so central as now it splits the image. If the main subject is the hat, then it should be more dominant.
Sunflower 100
by Keith Griffiths
- Strengths:The colour, the colour, the colour. Oh this is so awesome. What an interesting angle to have taken the photo from.Suggestions:I have no suggestions, as I find this image very pleasing. There's enough of the flower to show that it's a sunflower; any closer cropping and we'd not quite get that.
- Strengths:The impact supplied by the strength and colour of the radiating sunburst of the petals, repeated by the contrasting deep green of the flower base (whatever that part is called).Centre of subject is well-placed, off-centre and slightly low. Nicely-handled background tones. Focus and exposure are dead-on.The subject is beautifully lit - softly,to provide detail in the shadowed areas but with enough contrast to pick up the hairy texture of the green 'whatever-it-is'...Suggestions:Nothing to add - not even a quibble about the clipped-off petals at the top. That works to keep the interest tightly in the frame.
- Strengths:An attribute of sunflowers is that they follow the sun. Therefore, if you want them backlit, you have to shoot them from behind. This photograph suggests the glow of the backlighting, including edge lighting on the green, repetition of shape, good detail and strong composition. The variation in the colour of the sky also adds visual interest and balance.Suggestions:Perhaps just a tiny bit more sharpness in the petals on the top right, and moving out just a little on the top left to allow a little more space between the two petal tips and the edge of the frame.
- Strengths:This photographer looks at life and nature differently than most and its very refreshing and unique....a very strong image with great detail...Suggestions:Its a strong unique image which really doesn't need any changes
- Strengths:The yellow and green colors.Suggestions:If the image is centered to see the whole back of the flower, it's just me otherewise beautiful shot!
Purple
by Matti Lagerbom
- Strengths:Good strong contrast in colours. Purple really stands out against the black/green background. With the filter applied, the flower has almost a "neon sign" look that some might find pleasant.Suggestions:Since this is a round flower, and no other competition/counterpoint in the frame, I would go with the radial symetry and crop it so it's more in the centre of the frame (that is if you have any frame left to play with on the bottom ... as it's cropped now it's kinda thin on the border on the bottom).Response:Thank you .
- Strengths:The strength of this image is in the brilliance of the colour of the flower, set against the subdued tones of the background. The out-of-focus surrounding leaves give the composition a frame for the central blossom.Suggestions:Placing the flower in a less-central position may have made the composition stronger - even making it a vertical format may also have been better, as the blossom is slightly longer vertically than it is wide. Exposure and lighting are well-handled, but the flower could have been sharper.Response:Thank you
- Strengths:The intense colour is riveting and the selective focus works to separate the flower from the background.Suggestions:The main flower does not appear to be perfectly in focus. I think it would be much stronger a photograph if it were tack sharp. The little bit of the same colour on the top adds to the photograph only the information that this flower is not alone in the garden, but it is also a bit distracting.Response:Thank you
- Strengths:Colour, Strong complimentary colour. I do like the addition the blue centre provides with a few other hints of blue to strengthen the flower centre.Suggestions:It would be nice to have a third area of the violet and a bit better sharpness on the main flower.
- Strengths:The purple color. I'ts a good shot!Suggestions:The blurry backgrounds. It's a little overexposed.
HIV & hungry
by Jason Hollister
- Strengths:One of those "social commentary" photos that makes you morally uncomfortable to look at (so that's good from a photography point of view -- it evokes an emotion in me). To see the wealthy literally turning their backs on the suffering and need of those less fortunate. No look of concern or compassion on their faces. How many of us do the same. the low saturation removes possible distractions coming from colours in the background.Suggestions:I wouldn't change the image at all. It seems to be telling the story it needs to do.
- Strengths:The monochromatic tone to this image help to set the scene for this image. It portrays present-day city life in a graphic way - the comfortably-off couple apparently waiting to cross the street seem to be paying no attention to the faceless, squatting figure beside them. His sign asks for sympathy, but the passers-by (significantly, all seen from the back)are also paying him no attention. Their faceless figures add an extra level of isolation to this mini-drama.Suggestions:The strength of the composition might have been increased by cropping the right-hand edge to the post, taking out the walking figure, concentrating more attention on the central grouping. It's strongly suggested that the author should not display his name in future theme competitions.
- Strengths:The desaturated or toned appearance concentrates more attention on the subjects. The strong light and shadow sets a "beautiful day" note that contrasts, perhaps, with the story.Suggestions:I take this as a photojournalism type image, yet I don't find the story is that clear. Fr example, the relationship between the two characters on the left is not clear, although it can be guessed at. The man with the sign is also compelling, but you tend to ping-pong between the two. There are almost two photographs there, although together they do convey more information. I would suggest cropping to the edge of the post on the right, and perhaps remove most of the man on the far left also; thee is enough information to establish location without their distraction.
- Strengths:Jason, I really like this picture because of how well it tells the storey.Suggestions:Leave it just the way it is.
- Strengths:Strong social commentary, the sepia tone adds nicely to the message that desparity and annonimity in the city is timeless.Suggestions:The crouded city street is important in the image but the portion to the right of the power pole is isolated and could be cropped to keep the attention between the business man and his partner and the homless person.
- Strengths:Nice color, sharp focus, the fact that beggars are facts of life, with HIV positive is sad. It touches me!Suggestions:I don,t see anything to improve!
- Strengths:For me, the sharp image and the color, most of all the HIV person holdng ths sign! I think it's sad! I thought of where's his family?Suggestions:Nothing, it looks just as natural as you see people in the street busy walking doin their bussiness.
- Strengths:Love the implied editorial, the sepia-like look. It says something.Suggestions:None. It works for me as is.
- Strengths:The HIV Hungry person, it's very touching.The busy people are just ignoring the hungry person.Suggestions:Nothing really, I love the texture of the photograph.
- Strengths:A strength is the way an important moment of time has been captured....the contrast between the business man in his suit vs. the begger sitting on the street...both not really noticing each other. It makes me think...not only about life, fairness, inequality etc. but I can't help but wonder what the woman is thinking and/or about to say to the businessman. I am intrigued to know.Suggestions:A little more contrast in the picture? Maybe remove the man standing behind the woman in Photoshop (if possible?). (Find it distracting).
Delta Superport
by Jason Hollister
- Strengths:I like the transition in sky colours (polarizer at work I assume? or just the darkening sky at dusk?), there are some interesting lines in the shot; each line (horizon, rocky shore edge) demarcates a different area of texture (and a different "element": rock, sea, sky). The textures "flow" from hard sharp edges in the bottom to wispy formless clouds above.Suggestions:Personally I would have tried the horizon just a bit higher (or maybe you did in another shot), but perhaps that would have brought in too much rock and spoiled the balance. On my monitor the highlight on the water is just a bit too bright and looks like it's starting to lose some detail, but I can live with it. Given the lighting conditions that were probably at play, it's very well exposed. (any HDR used?)
- Strengths:On first look it was okay, but I left it on the monitor for a few minutes, when I came back to it I saw an interesting quality to it that at first I didn't understand. Then I realized it was an HDR image. It is not an image with huge initial punch but it has a real nice contemplative quality to it. The big boulder in front counter-balances the bright area of the sky and the wide angle lens gives a nice pattern to the clouds.Suggestions:Nothing, I usually prefer a 4x5 format to verticals instead of full frame 2x3, but you have balanced the whole frame and any crop would degrade the image.
- Strengths:Simplicity, focus and complementary colours. Although there are three separate areas of interest, the implied triangle, formed by the shore and the horizon, carries the eye through the frame.Suggestions:There seems to be a little too much foreground. The bottom left rocks draw a lot of attention. If the image is cropped to the bottom of the right hand round boulder, it seems more in balance with the rest of the image.
- Strengths:A simple, but very strong image. Reduced exposure has really brought out the intensity of the colour and the contrast between the clouds and sky, but has kept detail in the shadowed areas. Nice 2/3 - 1/3 balance between foreground and sky, with most of the texture/detail retained in the reflections in the water.Suggestions:Although the arrangement of the shoreline rocks has been well shown, the brighter rocks at the bottom of the frame are a bit distracting. A little cropping might help this, without upsetting the compositional balance. If there was only a way to fix that bright water just below the left-side horizon...Photoshop?
- Strengths:The clouds and the rocks, third the water!Suggestions:I'd like to see more of the sunset, the colour of the sunset, I mean.
- Strengths:I love the feel of this image.Suggestions:None, I'd love to know the technique.
Motozoom
by Jason Hollister
- Strengths:Good control over depth of field that makes the subject really pop out from what would otherwise be a very busy/cluttered/distracting background. The moment of capture (pose) is great to emphasize the speed of the subject even though it's frozen in time.Suggestions:The little bit of bright orange (cone?) on the side is distracting to my eye now that I look at it again in the smaller view of the commenting form. Maybe crop it out? Would be nice to see the image without distracting logos or trademarks.
- Strengths:The rider and the bike are well-placed in the frame, with a good balance of space ahead of them. The rider's body position and the outward thrust of the leg capture the tension of the action. This tension is also indicated in the speed-blurring of the background trees. Exposure and lighting appear to be suitably handled.Suggestions:Although these are spur-of-the-moment shots, it would have helped to isolate the main subject (bike and rider) from the background cars. Entries in this contest are supposed to be anonymous - including the maker's name could prejudice comments and final selection.
- Strengths:Great colour, and sharpness on the rider. the background blur really gives the inpression the viewer is on the bike following.Suggestions:But the blur makes me dizzy.
- Strengths:The motion of the picture.Suggestions:None, it's a well done shot.
Christmas Tree Carved by Sea
by Keith Griffiths
- Strengths:Cool!!! (sorry, just had to say that) I particularly like that with all the B&W features, that the one main berg of interest stands out with the blue tones. (did this just happen? or was it PS'ed in some way?). The dark water/sky contributes to the "chill" in the air, with a feeling of an imminent storm. The smoother tree-like feature of the central berg contrasts with rough jagged edges in the rest of the ice.Suggestions:As with most shots with a definite horizon, I wonder if it would look better with it off-center. With more dark water in the foreground, maybe the berg might stand out more? Probably not much you could have done to change the angle on the berg itself. (e.g. if could have looked "up" more, so that subject features were all in the "sky" portion of the frame rather than straddling the horizon?) Not much else I would try with this one ... I like it as a "dark and stormy day" type shot. :-)
- Strengths:At first glance, this didn't seem to match the theme - but summer doesn't always have to mean bikini-beaches and icecream. It can be the time for bergs to break away from ice-caps and drift out to sea. This captures that season very well. The blue-white of the ice is complemented by the steel grey water, backed by the cold sky. The shapes of the icebergs work together; the longer, distant one leads the eye towards the nearer one, with the cone-shape relieving the negative space between them. The shapes also suggest movement, from left to right, so leaving space ahead of the nearer berg visually allows for that suggested movement.Suggestions:Not a thing. Composition, format and exposure all make this a great picture. Congratulations!
- Strengths:There is a mood of a cold, vast expanse of grey. Three is a good number for visual interest, as is the variety of colours, which stand out despite the somewhat flat lighting. There is just enough separation between the subjects to view them as unique items, but their proximity keeps your eye in the photograph.Suggestions:The horizon is just slightly tipped, making it appear that these pieces of ice are going to slide out of the left hand side.
- Strengths:Eek! It's a monster! Okay, maybe it's just the way my mind works. Be that as it may, I really like all the subtle texture in the sides of your icebergs... er, sorry, I mean, "the subjects"!Suggestions:Although I like the tinge of blue, might not a little colour in the sky as well add a little something to the image?
- Strengths:This is a strong image to me. It comes across as very vertical because of the height of the objects, ie. a Chrismas tree is very vertical. The other ice objects are also vertical. Yet the photographer has chosen to take the shot horizontally....a nice contrast. And different from the way a lot of us (self included) tend to take pictures, ie. accenting vertical with a vertical camera angle. The fact the photographer caught this opportunity (ie. had camera "at the ready" is a positive) and had the three images lined up so well(just a little off centre) all contributes to a great shot.Suggestions:Would have preferred to see a little more contrast...There is a lot of gray in the sky and darker grey below. A little more blue perhaps?
Hippie
by Matti Lagerbom
- Strengths:the image has the "cute furry animal" attraction. Large eyes always hold interest, and the texture of the horse's hair is very nice. Soft against the starker/harsher background. Being closer to the head helps to balance the bulk of the body behind it.Suggestions:Not much I would change with this particular image. With this type of image in general, I would try getting the eye on a "3rds point", which tends to make faces more interesting on shots. Our eye is immediately drawn to eyes of faces in an image so you (often, not always) have to give the attention in the photo to them.
- Strengths:A pleasing "character-study" of this horse. The soft lighting and close viewpoint help give the impression of a gentle and friendly animal, and bring out the textures and tones of its mane and coat. The framing is tight, with appropriate space left below the head.Suggestions:A lower viewpoint would have given a better balance of proportions between the head and upper body and the legs - which have been foreshortened. Cropping the upper frame to just above the top of the body would have taken out the distracting(?)sky. Also, the animal would not have been quite so central in the frame.
- Strengths:The choice of lens give good impact to this image. A very dominant head and little feet with very little background. Even though there is a small amount of background, it covers a large area with a wide angle lens and you have done well to exclude distracting elements.Suggestions:Maybe a view of the eye to give the pony more life.
- Strengths:The eye and the fur! the background tress!Suggestions:It seems the horse get too close to the camera! it appears too short how he really looks.
- Strengths:There is good harmony in colour between the animal and the background, simple composition and good detail.Suggestions:The wide angle has given the animal very small legs in proportion to its body. Moving back and using a longer lens may have reduced this, unless it's the effect you were after! The title adds to the image.
Cloud illusions
by Peter E
- Strengths:The building seems to be filled with clouds, or is perhaps just a one-dimensional obejct showing the clouds through it. Except for the top, they almost connect. The mix of light and dark clouds adds interest also.Suggestions:It seems perhaps just a little dark towards the base, but that also helps to give it a solid "foundation" for the composition.
- Strengths:Nice vision, nice exposure, nice image. I follow the circle of clouds across the top, and down through the building and back up again. the viewer is invited to search the whole image.Suggestions:Maybe push the mid tone brightness up a bit but that is being pretty picky. Well done.
- Strengths:The glass buildings! With the clouds reflections! it's excellent shot!Suggestions:The dark image at the bottom, I covered it, just the building though, the trees are fine.
Fountain of Youth
by Peter E
- Strengths:This image speaks effectively of the summer fun that children can create for themselves. There is enough background to tell the story, but no more. The children are well positioned, clearly wet, colourful and in motion. The water shows good texture.Suggestions:The simplicity of the image requires very little change. Perhaps cropping to the top of the white trangle as it, and the shadow to the left, are small distractions.
- Strengths:This image reflects the theme -- "What I did last summer"...kids, water, everyone having a great time, exactly evokes the required theme. Makes me want to jump in with them!Suggestions:I don't have any suggestions to improve the image. I like it the way it is. You can see that all three kids have been in the water.
- Strengths:Great exposure and composition.Suggestions:I wish I could see their faces.
- Strengths:Great exposure, you have full detail in the whites and the youths aren't too dark.Suggestions:None, it is good image the way it is
- Strengths:The water and the children! Nice subject together! It shows how much fun summer is!Suggestions:The water is too white the longer I look!
Oh, the Indignity
by Shona L
- Strengths:Personally I like reflection shots, seeing things slightly distorted brings to mind the Magritte painting "this is not a pipe". You see something in the image, but it's not really a photo of that subject, but of a reflection of it. The red in this case really stands out being on a 3rds point and also contrasting strongly with the blacks, greys, and silvers of the rest of the shot.Suggestions:I would consider cropping the left side so that the building reflection in the upper left is gone. Then everything below that diagonal line would be fluid reflections, contrasting with what would be above the line: crisp straight non-reflected lines -- the grillwork. (okay, you would still have a little bit in the upper right from the air-intake(?), but that would be less distracting. or could be blurred out in editing)Response:Good comments, but to crop the LH move than I already had would remove the name of the car and part of the story. It wasn't just about the lines and reflections; it was about this very expensive, dignified vehicle, in a high-rise city environment, reflecting red balloons - just not quite its preferred image. Sometimes the story we wish to tell compromises the strongest possible composition.
- Strengths:Well seen image, black on black with a reflection is a tough image to capture, but it is all there. Lines, details, shades and a feature colour.Suggestions:What happens if you punch up the red in photoshop?
- Strengths:The maker has seen a pattern of hard-and-soft lines - shapes having an abstract feel, but still recognizable. The almost vertical lines at the top are cut dramatically by the diagonal edge of the grille, moving the eye to meet a new theme of light/dark reflections, accented by the red shapes in lower left. The light-grey object in the upper right provides a good balance to the overall composition. The subdued low-key lighting suits the subject well; exposure is appropriate, and all the 'sharp' components are well-defined.Suggestions:Removing, or toning-down the bright object (letters? - a name-plate?) might have taken out an eye-catching, slightly distracting element. Otherwise, a very satisfying work.
- Strengths:I love the reflection of the red balloons. The name Ferrari says it all.Suggestions:Nothing more required.
- Strengths:Nice and sharp! and the reflection!Suggestions:the baloons are not making it beautiful if you are focusing on the baloons reflections, I covered the baloons, I like it without it!
Garibaldi forest
by David Emery
- Strengths:Perfect exposure, got the greens and the darks at the end of the log, but the sky of foggy areas between the trees is still there. Well done.Suggestions:I don't have any suggestions, just take me there.
- Strengths:This photo is rich with colour, texture and form. It creates a strong feeling of "being there".Suggestions:Is it called "lost in the woods?" The eye craves a focal point, yet the strongest items are not particularly visually compelling. Sometimes you have to move around a scene such as this to find strong compositional lines.
- Strengths:This evokes a sense of stillness and quiet -- the woods as it always is.Suggestions:Perhaps a hiker somewhere in the background would tie in with the theme of "what I did last summer". What I did assumes someone is in the picture "doing" something.
Garibaldi leaves
by David Emery
- Strengths:The red of the leaves contrasts well with the background, making them really stand out. There is a good diagonal line forming with this image, with the eye following the twig/branch down to the leaf.Suggestions:I wonder if the diagonal could be made stronger if it was cropped a bit tighter so that the leaves went diagonally across the whole frame. Or maybe cropped a bit more so that the bottom leaf moves into a 3rds position in the lower left. Depending on the lighting conditions, a polarizer might get rid of some of the whitish reflection on the leaves and improve the saturation of the leaf colours.
- Strengths:Strong contrast between the subject and the background, both in focus and colour.Suggestions:Oh, my - where did we find these colours in summer? They might be enhanced by use of a polarizer to reduce or eliminate the bright reflections. This is a popular subject so judges look for a "wow" factor when evaluating - striking colour, perhaps backlighting or an unusual technique that helps say "red".
- Strengths:Bright colours and subject isolation from the background are what I like about this. But it's not autumn yet!Suggestions:Polarization might remove the bright whites and fill the leaves with more colour, and maybe crop out some of the space on the left.
Hydrangea Haze
by Keith Griffiths
- Strengths:I like the soft glow you have around the edges (soft focus filter? or "Orton" effect?). Gives the whole image a dreamy or "fond memory" feeling, like memories of summer. I also like that it is the green that is the central subject/colour in this case -- so often is is the bright coloured flowers that are the central colour with green being the background.Suggestions:Leaf on the left is cropped. Since all the other leaves are whole, it would have been nice if that leaf were whole as well.Response:It is an in camera double exposure. first at f16 and in focus, second at f2.8 and out of focus. this is a crop of the original to fit a 4x5 screen format, but the leaf is complete in the original. I took this crop because if the leaf was complete, then the unopened bud was dead centre. Cheers, Keith
- Strengths:The pastel complmentary colours and the soft-focus technique work together to create a cohesive mood. The mix of flowers and buds is an unusual capture. Good composition.Suggestions:I would leave it as it is.
- Strengths:The pink flowers! The soft image, very good shot for making a greeting card especially for a new born bay!Suggestions:I always see a picture of a flowers in the middle and leaves on sides, i think it's perfect the way it is.!
May I Have Some More?
by Derek Carlin
- Strengths:Nice crisp close up. Nice catch-light in the eye.Suggestions:Try not to cut off a small portion of the animal's tail. When ever possible, move so that the background contrasts with the animal, rather than causing it to blend in.
- Strengths:Good critter positioning looking into the frame, and he is actually doing something...nice action shot. Good depth of field, enough but not too much.Suggestions:Nuke that rock. Maybe you could 'photoshop' it out.
- Strengths:This photo has a strong "cute" factor, but it's also technically well handled with the depth of field selected so that the animal's fur is sharp and the background, and even some of the foreground, soft. The foreground rock helps the implied triangular composition and the animal is well placed in the frame. It also has a catchlight in the eye, considered desirable by nature photographers, and it is performing some action, albeit not a very exciting one, but at least it is exhibiting some characteristic behaviour.Suggestions:Although there is no detail lost in the lighter parts of the image, it gives an "impression" of being over-exposed. It has a "strong sun" feeling that might be toned down with a little less exposure or a touch more saturation. I think there could be just a little more space allowed so that the fuzzy end of the tail isn't cropped off.Response:yes, it was bright noon-day sun. I actually did tone it down a bit, but maybe not enough. I have a hard time editing for brightness, because I use two types of screens (LCD and CRT) .. each one has different gammas, so I'm never sure which "brightness" is right. (laptop tends to make things look darker than the CRT).
- Strengths:This is a pleasing study of an attractive animal. Exposure is good and the main subject is sharp. The soft lighting has brought out the tones and textures of the fur - filling-in the shadows, without burning-out the highlights. There are good catchlights in the eyes; their direction, and the angle of the head lead the viewer's eye towards a well-diffused background. Generally well-composed (see suggestions), with the position of the rock helping to lead the eye to the aninal.Suggestions:Perhaps cropping the foreground to below the rock, and about 20% off the right edge would position the animal better in the frame. Cropping away part of the tail could be a matter of opinion...
- Strengths:Nice catch! beautiful colors! the eyes is nice and sharp!Suggestions:Nothing really! it's hard to picture them!
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