mark lucas

Kat, look again. The focus isn't excellent as the beak is sharp and the eye isn't. A shame as an interesting pose.

Manipulation looks too heavy and the main image is overexposed. With respect, I think people overlook these things when they hit that 7 key.

 

I'm sure this one could be improved with some sympathetic Photoshop work.

Also prefer the suggested crop.

Is there a message here? The hands could be a lot sharper.

 

Sorry, just my personal opinion but I find this very contrived.

Personally, I don't like the central placement of the netting and would prefer to see it more to the right, with perhaps more of the other object showing to balance it out.

Yes, interesting concept Marco.

 

By the way, I think that it's a Buzzard (buteo buteo).

I always think these type of birds look better photographed in natural surroundings - but then the other raters obviously think not.

 

Also, while the background is blurred, I find it a little messy.

I think this works really well Howard. In particular I like the way the building just starts to break up towards the edges to become sky.

 

My only suggestion is to perhaps try a frame - something simple.

Thanks to everybody for your comments on this photo. Out of interest Ben, this was taken with the subject facing a North facing window. I asked him to tilt his head down slightly so the reflections disappeared from the glasses.

The technique you suggest for the eyes sounds very intriguing and I'll definately give it a go - many thanks.

Pedro's Hernandez and Cruz Vera - can you not see the sloping horizon? Do you know what a 7/7/ means? It means this is of the very highest quality - only it isn't. Even if you like this photo, a badly sloping horizon is unacceptable surely?

The horizon is sloping way over to the left and I don't think the sepia tone is a good choice in this instance - it looks a little washed out.

"If you do not like this photo keep it to yourself"

 

This place just gets better!

Agree about not cutting off the bottom of the plant.

Mark, I don't think this one is up to your usual standard. The dark patch to the right is poor and the lighting on the insect is a little dark with subdued colouration.

 

As usual though, great sharpness.

Perhaps a grad would have held back that sky a tad. Nice composition.

Perhaps straighten the slightly sloping horizon. Otherwise, nice.

"Bolti, it is indeed a shame about the upload quality (or is the original out of focus).

It's an interesting scene but I'm curious about what manipulation you applied. Did those marvellous sun-rays not light up the island at all?"

 

How in God's name is that a shitty comment? Don't submit photo's for your friends to overrate if you can't take any comments - I can't call it criticism because I didn't even criticize this one but merely ask a question.

 

And how is my pointing out an otherwise good picture is blurry for example, by saying "shame it's out of focus" wrong? I see you prefer the "Wow" or "nice colours" sort of comment.

 

Whatever it is (I'd love to know), I can't help feel that perhaps it's cropped a little too tightly.

Bolti, it is indeed a shame about the upload quality (or is the original out of focus).

 

It's an interesting scene but I'm curious about what manipulation you applied. Did those marvellous sun-rays not light up the island at all?

Unfortunate about the blown out areas on the dress and handrail, and a shame that the window frame is in shot so close to the girl.

With respect, I think I must be missing something here that the 7/7 raters are seeing. The upload quality is very poor and the hotspots on the face very harsh. Also, it's a shame there's no catchlight in the eye.

 

I think some time spent in Photoshop could improve this a lot.

Fred,

I suggest a contrast boost, some more saturation and a frame, as shown above. What do you think?

 

The noise on the black areas is real bad.

What is this doing near the top of the TRP on photo.net?

 

As an image, it's nice - but what does it have to do with photography?

I like this fellow Jerry - is he real? (only joking - he looks like a stuffed toy)

Nice tonality and use of black and white, but why does it appear to be leaning over to the right? Was this intentional or an illusion?