niranjn

Well spotted and a nice composition.

I would darken the midtones a bit.

The darker version looks better. Well seen and composed shot.

However, I think it would help to have more contrast and sharpness.

Well seen. I like the arrangement of the buses with respect to the grille'd pavement that they are parked on. The green/black grille at the bottom right is a good echo of the pattern in the top right.

I would prefer a little bit more symmetry, especially in the green/black grille. It's cut off uncomfortably. If you have a little bit more at the bottom, and a little bit less on the left, it would be a stronger image, IMHO.

Thanks for sharing.

Sorry for the mis-characterization of this image as an "Abstract".

Found the scene at a local swamp. Unfortunately, the highlights are

blown. I appreciate all critiques, don't hold back.

Why such a low shutter speed? I think it's very effective, but was it intentional, considering that they are posing for you and you had time to actually think about it?

The three faces on the right and the four hands have phenomenal impact. A third of the frame from the left and a quarter from the top can easily be sliced off; IMHO, I recommend it.

Start with what attracted you to this scene. Why did you take the image? What were you hoping to show?

(more later)

My eyes come to rest where the peeling paint (or scratch) has been stopped dead by the K and S; the power of the alphabet, indeed. Nice subtle texture; the inclusion of the reflected highlights makes it more "real".

Is the composition slightly unbalanced toward the left? If so, does that make this image have more tension? Would it be better to see a little bit more of the 'S' up top?

John, I agree completely with the "family bond" point. In non-western cultures, there is a closeness not just with the immediate family but also with the extended family, which you don't find here (at least in the U.S.). But there are tradeoffs, as you mention.

(the cloudy (non-sunny) days and children on a winged migration was just a throwaway reference to yet another Daedalus...)

..and those eyes don't need a catchlight!

(one hopes that when his children embarked on their winged migration to a better future, it was a cloudy day)

I saw this in the critique requests, walked over to your portfolio, and I'm back here again. Your photos are thematically coherent. Most of the elements in this photo echo your other pictures -- strong architectural lines, angles and texture. Here, the tropical colors are quite arresting.

Why the plant? As a framing device, it detracts. A confusing inclusion in the composition that doesn't harmonize well with the rest of the image.

This scene seems to have potential for work up-close (or at least, a little bit up-closer, verging on the abstract...).

You seem to like taking shots of bright exteriors from inside, I found a few of those in your portfolio. Always tricky, you have gotten good results here. The "subject" is interesting, the quality of light is good, and I like the lines and textures here. Good show.

It might have been better to take a step forward (alternatively, crop it all around to reduce the amount of black area)..

Premier Bookshop is closing, apparently. Probably squeezed by chain megastores or the imminent online bookbuying revolution?

I like the other shot a lot more --- the one where the book store guy is being pushed against the edge of the frame...

Beautiful textures, tones and details. I am sure it will make for a luminous print!

I see a tilted horizon -- and I am sure for a photographer of your caliber, that's purely intentional. I am curious as to why you did this. Thanks.

Dynamic and full of joie de vivre! Wonderful image.

The dots in her skirt echo the surface of the floor, which is kinda neat.

Asit, though the complex arrangement of the fingers in the left hand is what I WANT to look at, my eyes are getting pulled away, first towards the bracelets and then towards the red welt in the forearm. I keep wondering what the hands are really doing? Why is the child grasping her foot so?

So there are flaws. Most pictures do have some. But what I like here are the hands themselves. The left hand is expressive, and there is a great amount of tension. The arrangement of the forearms and the legs is also quite effective. I would suggest a retry, with the right hand being more participatory, and a tighter composition eliminating the red welt.

Even though the place (probably) has an old classic feel to it, the B/W rendering and the composition makes me feel like I am looking at the future. Visions of spaceship interiors and so on.

Nice shot, but I would prefer perfect symmetry.