Lou_Meluso

I don't like this picture. This is an interesting image with unique lighting effects and a somber, theatrical mood. Initially, I felt the light itself was the subject, beautiful as the light rays are, as I survey the scene ultimately the lighting's main function is to illuminate the foggy street. Neat effect though. I thought maybe the empty street, but then no, nothing on the street really draws my eye. The fog perhaps? Maybe but still not what I would call a dominant element. Looking at it with a cinematic eye, I see everything combines to create a lovely, well seen, moody, theatrical setting.... in need of a subject.

Since I'm late in the critique process, I'm sure this has been discussed. Similar to not looking at other pictures the photographer has made, I prefer not reading other critiques till I've made my own lest I be swayed in my opinion away from my most personal and honest reaction to the image under review. I'll go back now and read the rest of the thread.

I like this picture. This a traditional formal pose and careful, classical lighting that illuminates the sitter beautifully. I love the subdued color as a way to help forward the classical, timeless theme.

The hair does not quite match the period costume, however, and I would like to see the left hand. I think it's under the book but it looks amputated and a well posed hand on the book would have given this study a bit more character. Nit picks aside this is a lovely portrait with professional level qualities. Nice work Debra!

I like this picture. There is a dramatic classical feel to the composition and lighting. I think the idea of turning the photo on end is to achieve a floating feeling. Kind of works but there are so many visual clues-the fall of the drapery and water- that work against the idea. A very nice quality to the b&w rendering, although the contrast is a bit brittle for my taste. I appreciate the artistic daring and technical competence expressed in the image.

I like this picture. It's a has an interesting, misty mood to it and the simple color palette ties it all together very nicely. The golden leaves on the left are crisp enough to be a strong center of interest. There is a sense of hushed silence to the scene that I like.

That said, I think the composition could be better. It feels too right half/left half to me. I want to move the frame, just a bit, to the left. I feel like I could just crop out the right side and make the left side a good vertical or square picture on it's own. I kind of get the "fairy tale" title but, honestly, this scene isn't that otherworldly.

Those are small nit pics to an otherwise pleasant image.

This type of comment is not useful in a critique forum. There are many different opinions offered and tangential conversations often develop. Exploring opinions different than your own can be educational and thought provoking for some, even if they are on the OP's "dime". It's one of the purposes of this forum. If the various opinions, personalities or related side discussions are not your to your liking, why not side step those and contribute a heartfelt, meaningful critique of the image of your own. One that would use your experience, knowledge, emotions and intellect to express what you like or don't like about the image beyond the less-than-helpful "great work". Focus on giving the photographer real feedback by critiquing the image, not other peoples critiques.

Yes, Landrum, thanks for the correction. The rest of my critique stands. A pleasant, romantic cliche.

I do not like this picture. This photo illustration is well done, save the small aspect of the implausibility of looking into the setting sun and seeing the moon rise. It would be behind the photographer opposite the sunset. That and the over-sized moon is a device so overdone it becomes a cliche no matter how skillfully applied. Astronomical reality notwithstanding, perhaps a smaller moon would feel more natural and less obvious. Clearly, Bela has a creative eye for composition with a romantic sensibility. This particular image, however, misses the mark with me.

You picked the right name for this portrait because it is all about color. Just beautiful soft lighting and warm tone with pink accents of flower, dress, earrings and lipstick. The tilt of the hat adds a bit of attitude. Cute kid, too. Well done!

This is a very nice composite, Mikael. I like that they are holding something that is important to them. They are tied together nicely by using the same lighting. A cool, fun idea!

This is a very nice macro picture. The reddish ant stands out well against the green background. Good sharpness for such a small subject. Well done, Ziad!

I like this picture. This is a documentary type photograph that is interesting in both content, composition and timing. The figures in the scene are strewn about in various positions with a dominant figure reclining in the foreground. The figures are tied together in the composition by the interesting interior architecture, forming a classic, yet powerful, one-point perspective. I don't feel a need to understand all the cultural implication of the scene. Everything I need to enjoy, appreciate (or not) about this image is contained within the confines of the four sides of it's borders.

The photographer has timed the photograph to, what appears to be, be a moment of transition, perhaps either before or after a bigger event has taken place. There is a wonderful sense of "fly-on-the-wall" stealth and he seems to go unnoticed in the room. In a picture like this, that feelings adds a lot to the enjoyment of the image for me.

The lighting is subtle, as one might expect in a naturally lit interior. I would love to see a bit more light on the main foreground figure but such is the nature of documentary photography. This sleeping figures position is wonderful and leads us directly into the picture's interior. That pose could have come directly out of a Raphael painting. This is a very enjoyable picture. Well done, Eugenio.

I like this picture. The landscape is impressive in the low light and the figures add a nice scale and forced perspective to the scene. Even with the inclusion of the so-done Kodak red sweater does not feel out of place. There is nothing really new here but there is a nice tranquil feeling to the image that is technically carried off quite well and has a thoughtful, balanced construction. Nice work, Mark!

I like this picture. It's simplicity of design, content and warm color tone is easy to read and it feels soothing to me somehow. I don't think all images need to be dynamic, detailed or tax my intellect. Sometimes brick simple is good. This crop reminds of a book jacket layout or similar print project expecting type. I think there are many possible crop opportunities due to it's simplicity. A good stock image I think.

What I don't like, really a just a personal peeve of mine, is the hokey digital frame. I don't mind all frames or pre-made edge treatments but those fake drop shadow ones I find more distracting and take up a fair amount of image real estate. Some folks love them, I don't.

I don't like this picture. There is, however, nothing intrinsically "wrong" with it. It does grab you momentarily. The dramatic back light through the trees does catch your eye and makes a pretty linear design element. Putting a little red/green color contrast in the fog does dress it up a bit - kind of painterly. I suppose the shadows and sun could be considered as the center of interest. I have no doubt this image will be appealing to many viewers.

What I don't like about the picture is after the initial grab it leaves you flat very quickly. I think the rapid tiring speed is related to the lack of a strong center of interest. If a deer silhouette or hunter or some other element were introduced it would elevate this scene to a more interesting level. With the exception of the green fog (green fog?) this shot is just so overdone it fails to fire much interest in me. It's a nice scene, well rendered but needing something to hook me to make me want to look deeper...and longer. Like good elevator music, it's a pleasant rendition, inoffensive but, ultimately, not very compelling.

 I love this shot, Steve. Your timing couldn't be better. 

I like this picture. This is an off beat type of documentary shot that is technically well done but the crying child, during what appears to be a celebratory moment in a stadium, adds a quirky note. Like a good jazz riff, the discordant notes intensify and accentuate the melody. We don't know why the child is in such distress during an otherwise upbeat moment but the two contrast well with each other well in this scene.

Quite right, of course, but it's just a way of further exploring my reaction to the image. My take is this picture is about the girls expression (contentment?) so her face needs to come forward more. I get the impression of aloofness more than contentment but that still plays well with the classical treatment.

I've taken a stab at making some changes that I think help this picture. I've added some slight color in spots and subtlety sharpened and softened some areas. The over all softness feel is still there but I feel the model comes forward more and I'm not seeing so much of the deadening effects that first struck me. Now the pretty face and lovely short lighting move up in dominance which to my eye make this a much more likable picture in the classical tradition.

I don't like this picture. It desperately wants to be a painting but it isn't. Even with the Caravaggio-esque lighting and pose, the heavier-than-needs-to-be post processing for global de-saturation and soft focus come forward in the frame, not the sitter.

I appreciate the classical approach and the model is a comely young lady. While I like soft focus effects, this is approaching global mush focus. I'm OK with the dead eyes and head merging to the background as a common painting device , if only a more judicious control of focus and color saturation were used the sitter would have a life and richness that is commonly seen in Old Master work. What we have here is lack of restraint and finesse.

It's fine to take picture ques from a great painter. If one studies the paintings carefully you'll find the hardness and softness of edges manipulate focus to control eye travel. Even in a low key scene like this, there is usually a stroke or two of strong tone, contrast or color that makes the whole scene come alive. That's the Master's stroke. That's what is missing.

Looks good, Scott. The butterfly is nicely rendered and I like the plain background. Overall the color rendition is a bit cool for my taste but that is an easy adjustment. Good work!

I like this picture. The near/far relationships lends great depth to the image and the bird wings matching the shape of the waterline is just well seen.
I wish however it were well executed. It's not so much that the image is a photo illustration, it's just that it's so obviously so. The bird looks pasted on, plain and simple which really ruins the effect for me. There are ways to use Photoshop to create a more realistic rendering. Less perpective push, better light and focus matching and better selection and pasting.
I would suggest to Armindo to bone up on your composite skills and try this again. It's a really nifty idea!

I like this picture. This has a great mood to it. The fog and early morning blue color harmony accentuate the quiet, cool of dawn and holds the image together. The layering effect adds a real sense of depth. It reminds me of images of the multitudes and variety of beasts seen together during the great migrations in Africa or in Edward Hick's Peaceable Kingdom where a variety of beasts live together in harmony. It's a successful picture as presented. If the center bird turns in profile it's impact would be increased and it would be a stunner.

While the maker has decided to join the discussion, apparently to squelch the usual slog about how it was made, I enjoy and appreciate the image as it stands as a scene that is visual engaging. The mood created by the use of atmosphere, back light, color and optical compression is palatable and beautiful. Well done, Sandor.

I like this picture. The pose, location and color treatment make me feel like I am sneaking a glimpse of a forest elf. The soft, pictorial rendering and the triangular composition are very appealing.
I might want to see the face/eye a bit lighter, with a bit more detail in the hair, and move the crop up and to the right slightly (thigh is looming a bit large) but I understand cropping the figure is always a challenge. Overall a lovely, romantic scene.

I think I would have worked the scene both ways and maybe the OP did. This selection, however, has a lively charm about it in her pose, the lovely location and soft light and her joyful, carefree expression. Good one, David!

A very clever and dynamic portrait of a musician. Nicely done!