October, 2011   Class A Open

 

"Waiting Bench" - Jim             15 pts.

Mike: The composition simplicity is the key to this image. The harsh

     artificial night light boosts the contrast and casts nice long shadows.

    The only nit to pick is the back of bench is touching right edge.

 

 

"Saving Boat - Carl             14 pts.

Mike: A perfect moment in time as a wave breaks over boat.

    This not only tells a story but promotes emotions of fear and anticipation.

   Ggood that the sky is minimized.

 

"Our First Game" - Matt             13 pts.

Mike: Again a very good PJ story telling image.

     The lack of DOF works here to focus attention on boy’s eyes and face.

     Crop down on top edge to eliminate the hot spots of the stadium lights.

 

 

"In the Lupines" - Pat             12 pts.

Mike: Meadow scene with hay rake was a good bit of seeing. The balance  

     weighs  equally between the lupine and hay rake. Personally, I feel the

     flowers should be the center of interest so I would have placed

     the hay rake in the back as a secondary subject.

 

"Quincenera" - Joe             12 pts.

Mike: Good color saturation but the umbrella is hiding much of bride.

     Could have moved right for a better angle.

     Flipping this image would give you a pleasing sight line along the umbrella.

 

"One Last Hug" - George             12 pts.

Mike: I really like the PJ story telling aspect, but the technical execution

     needs to be better. The elderly man’s face is beyond DOF.

     Crop in on left and right edges to isolate the important

     of the embrace and eliminate distractions.

 

"Arethusa Falls" - Rich             12 pts.

Mike: Well composed withtight cropping no distractions.

     This symmetrical image works with good DOF and a slow shutter speed.

 

"Glance Back" - Jeff T.             12 pts.

Mike: I like the spying in the window view, but the bright reflection

     in the window right over the bride’s eyes detracts. Could you have

     gotten higher or use polarizer? I like the angle chosen.

     The green background above roof is darker than background through

     the windowsand that’s not right.

 

"Fall's Coming" - Rick             11 pts.

Mike: Nice soft background but a little loss of DOF.

      Perhaps try f/8 or f/11 for more sharpness inthe white flowers.

      Then flip, rotate & crop.