I got home early tonight and was able to get this done earlier than expected. Here we go.
First, the usual caveat. I don’t know anything about anything. My thoughts are my own and reflect my own aesthetic sense. Some will disagree with me, and that is part of the artistic process. All of my comments are made in a spirit of good will and I apologize ahead of time if I cause any offense. As always, my final choices are made based on artistic and technical merit, and my emotional response to the image. As always, there are a lot of worthy images.
@mackmgg – I like this a lot. The colors and textures of the scene really come through. That is definitely a place I’d like to be. My youngest lives in Provo, Utah and this is the kind of view he has looking out his back door. That adds to how this image resonates with me. It was clearly an overcast day but the image seems a little too flat to me. I’d like to see you bring up the shadows a bit.
@akash.nu – This is a lovely image. It is serene and inviting. The muted tones and milkiness of the water, clouds, and mountains give it a surreal quality. A lot of people don’t like when branches are used as a vignette. I do like it. I think you hit the mark on the left side of the frame. The branch on the upper right is disturbing to me. It is not so much a vignette as something that drops into the frame and gets in the way of the scene. I wonder what this would look like if you took a couple of steps forward and/or to your left.
@OldMacs4Me – I love these little fairs (as long as they’re not too crowded.) I love the colors in this scene. The pinks and blues are beautiful. My eye is drawn from the center of the scene with the flags moving me up to the sky. I would have preferred you did not comment on the donuts. The kiosk is deep in the shadows and I have to work to move my attention in that direction.
@oblomow – I don’t have much to say. “Beautiful and serene” were my first thoughts when I saw this. There is a wonderful contrast between the rich colors of the sky and the muted shades of the grass and water. There are too many brightly colored tents in the market that disrupt the landscape. I respect that you chose some that fit in.
@mollyc – Flowers and shallow DOF!!!!! Who’d have guessed that one?!?!?! A lot of the images you’ve posted in the past few months have such a shallow DOF that I wasn’t sure what you wanted us to see. You’ve nailed it in this one. DOF is perfect. The focus is as sharp as can be. I love it.
@Buck987 – This image resonates with me on a couple of levels. I’ve been at many trailheads and know the feeling of looking forward to the next 25 miles. I think you’ve captured that moment very well. There is a halo around the frame that is a bit disturbing to my eye. I assume it is because of the neon color and I can’t consequence you for that. The Defy is a great bike. I’m trying to sell my TSR Advanced. I used to love riding until I was almost killed when I was hit by a tractor-trailer truck. I rode for a few years after that but just couldn’t fall in love with it again. I miss it which I think makes me appreciate your image a bit more.
@Strider64 – Who doesn’t love LEGO and space stuff. I think there is a lot of potential in this subject. I’m just not sure what you want us to see. I would love to see you focus on some particular aspect of the shuttle or the LEGO blocks.
@CooperBox – I’m impressed that you got an iBook to last this long. The coffee and cookie look great. I’m not a fan of the framing. I think you shot this too low and cropped it too tight. You have another version of this in your media posts. I think that one gives a much better sense of the scene.
@someoldguy – I’m not sure what it is but it looks cool. With respect, I am disappointed in this shot. It feels much more like a snap than a composed image. We’ve seen much better from you. (I am curious what kind of wax you used to polish that.
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@mtbdudex – I love this image. The landscape composition is spot on. I wish the sun wasn’t blown out but you can’t control that. The overgrowth surrounding your bike is the perfect metaphor for the 5 months off. You’ve had a long fight back from those injuries and I’m glad you’re able to get back on the saddle.
@Clix Pix – This is a fantastic image. I don’t think too many people would think a still life of a camera is beautiful, but we are the exceptions. The composition is perfect and the lighting is crisp and clean. The little flash of red at the lens mount is a welcome contrast to the black and silver of the camera.
@Allyance – Your focus on the bike only tells half of your story. I would have preferred you frame this to include more of the road to create some depth and movement. A lot of your other images capture that very well.
@gaswerks – I’ve had to critique several car pictures and they are always a bit tough for me because I am not a car guy. This composition of this image resonates with me a lot. It conveys a sense of power and drama that I don’t feel in most car pictures. That’s not something one expects to feel in a picture of a Mini.
Drum roll please…………………….
3rd:
@Clix Pix and
@akash.nu
2nd:
@mollyc and
@oblomow
1st:
@mtbdudex
On to the next
