BAILEY WAITING

MERIT - A lovely animal transformed! The full frontal treatment and the even lighting give the viewer the opportunity to examine the face in great detail. I feel that a Topaz style filter or similar, has been applied to the image. Viewed on my screen at normal viewing distance I find the textural overlay somewhat overdone especially on the eyes and nose. However when viewed as a projected image from a greater distance it may well become a much stronger satisfying image as the textures blend in. Nice control of tones and magical manipulation of the textures. The intelligent eyes certainly grab my attention. This may well make a great portrait to hang on the owner’s wall.

REST STOP

MERIT - I am transported to the farm of my childhood! I enjoy the way in which the horseman’s legs and then the bridle lead the eye towards the horse’s eye. I commend the photographer for the way the tonal range has been handled. Great detail almost everywhere. I wonder if the photographer would consider bringing out even more detail in the man’s face. The face attracts the eye and the information there is a little bland. I suggest that the image may have been even stronger with more interaction between the horse and the man. A nice image, evocative and nicely composed.

HAPPY HOUR

MERIT - I feel that whatever is in that glass would suit me nicely! For me the glass and the hands form the basis of the image. The image is sharp where it should be and is characterised by the nice use of out of focus back and middle ground. I find the hand on the right of the image to be distractingly disembodied so I wonder if the photographer would consider (if possible) including part of that lower arm. Perhaps cropping in to the elbow on the other side would concentrate the viewer more on the glass and hands. The inclusion of the mouth is a nice touch.

STUMPED

MERIT - I feel at peace in the forest and am reminded of the inevitable cycle of regeneration. Nice composition with two leading lines at left and right bottom leading to close examination of the main truck and then on to the background. Although the tonal range has been handled reasonably well I would love to be able to see in to the dark crevices of the stump. Perhaps less contrast would achieve this? The atmosphere of the forest has been well captured.

SLEEPING ANGEL

MERIT - While the photographer has made, I believe, a decision to keep the eyes out of focus I wonder if she/he would consider bringing them into focus? The viewer’s eye often goes directly to the eyes, even if they are closed. I find the lack of neck in the image to be distracting so that the head feels too isolated. Does the photographer consider that the cheek back to the ear is over exposed or blown out? I do enjoy the shadows around the nose and in the corner of the top eye socket. A nice idea for an image with a lot of potential. This image is 1080 pixels wide by 1620 pixels high. It should be no higher than 1080 pixels.

DREAMING BIG

HONOURS - I do feel as if I am in a great place to dream! Congratulations on excellent composition which leads us strongly to the figure at the end of the wharf and then on to the lake and mountains. I enjoy the cracks and grain in the timbers of the wharf floor. Perhaps a little less exposure applied to the middle floor would provide more detail. Because of the smooth nature of the water I feel that you may have used a relatively long exposure. If so congratulations on a nice effect. A lovely classic scene with just a little over exposure through the centre. Well done.

PHOTOGRAPHY AS IT WAS

ACCEPTED - I feel nostalgia plus!! A maximum shutter speed of a 250th and a maximum f stop of 3.5 says a lot about the skill of those who went before us! In my opinion the image is not sharp and I do wonder if the photographer used a tripod with the 40th sec shutter speed? The tonal range is handled well especially in the shadows. Although I enjoy the out of focus background, the photographer may feel that more evocative context may provide more of his/her own input and raise it from a nice record image.

MY MONA LISA

MERIT - A lovely face made strong within the image by the diagonal presentation. I enjoy the filter/gauze which adds atmosphere and mystery. Would the photographer consider just a tiny bit less filter to enable a little more of the face to come through? I find the present setting puts up too much of a barrier. But a creative decision has been made and I respect that. The negative space of the hair does draw us in to the detail of the face. Nicely done .

MAHARA'S SHOES

ACCEPTED - The presentation of the woman fitting her shoes in a room full of horse shoes gave me pause for thought, so well done to engage the viewer! I enjoy the way in which the face attracts the eye which then tracks down the arm to the shoes. The lighting on the background gives subtle clues to context without taking away from the subject. The dark line down the spine does distract me. However apart from that I enjoy the lighting which allows detail where it is needed in a well managed understated way. I really engaging image. However this image is 1080 wide by 1620 high.

THE DAILY GRIND

ACCEPTED - I feel extremely fortunate to live where I do. As journalistic commentary this image has a lot to say. I do wonder if the photographer might consider cropping in on the woman and her bent back and her hands. This could be done without losing all the important context. I enjoy the black and white treatment which really focuses the viewer on the poverty. A nice record which I feel could be made stronger by emphasizing the main subject.

DEVIL DEER

MERIT - You really have me thinking: is this real weathered deer’s head or is it a skilfully shaped piece of wood all weathered over bar the teeth! The composition leads from the nose to the eye to the top of the “antlers”. I enjoy the textures and the spiders’ webs which add to the story. Nicely seen with good depth of field and that “gor blimey” factor! Nice work!

END OF THE ROAD

MERIT - The photographer has managed to present the truck with its dignity intact! I feel that truck will soon drive off with its load of hay. My eye is drawn to the curve of the near mud guard and then to the beautifully rendered cabin. There is a nice amount of context in an unobtrusive background. I wonder if the photographer would consider using a closer shot of the truck say from the front near light and guard. A wide angle lens would allow a good depth of field and room for context while bringing a little more creativity to the image. More of the rough detail may also be apparent. A nice record shot with plenty of possibility.