This is better than yesterdays version, the colour of the eyes just about match the colour of the scarf.
I would have given the eye colour a lift in saturation just to bring it to the same intensity of the scarf IMHO, but still a well lit and controlled image.
Stewart

The lighting is excellent Dave, gives a nice outline without intruding into the shot, face lighting is nicely balanced too.
Not sure about the bottle, maybe if it was a darker colour, a brown one without a label, it would blend in more with the rest of the shot IMHO.

Stewart

The mono win hands down Paul.
It gives a stronger affinity with the structure, being old and decaying, but still solid after all these years, it has been done with care and attention to bring the most out of the subject, well done that man.
On shortlist mate.............

Really like this, nothing arty about it, just a darn good eye for a darn good shot.

Would like to see a bit more sky on this though, would give a sense of shooting at something rather then just the edge of the frame, maybe change this to portrait and add a bit more to the top, and even add the blast from the shotgun? Just a suggestion, hope you don't mind.
Regards
Stewart

Wonderful, colourful image, I really like these oil/water shots, no two are the same.

If can though, there are a few bits on this that do let it down a tad. First there are streaks and scratches visible, care needs to be taken on setting up to ensure these are not present on the item used to hold the water in. Secondly, it looks as though the lighting set up is slighty off too one side as the right side does darken drastically compared to the left, maybe a slight crop can cure this post processing, but again, attention to detail in the set up is the best option.
Hope you don't mind, and, hope it helps in some small way?
Regards
Stewart

A true beauty Fran, the muted tones work well.

I do think though your squarescape would look even better, remove some of the foreground to put the horizon on the lower third line, nudge the contrast up a tad for the sky and bingo, IMHO.

Stewart

Nice one again Steve, good, bold image, love the crescent on the right side, works well.
The flash is still a bit bright though, needs either diffusing more, bottom end of a milk container is good (whale tail) or clone it out post processing.

Regards

Stewart

Don't stop though, try different fruits or objects.

What a charming scene Peter, well taken.

Personally I would crop the left side off to about the LPG canister and a bit off the top, the mill is far to tight in this composition.

Regards

Stewart

Nice winter scene Ed.

Have done a mod for you. Cropped the left side off at the end of the bridge as it was dead space. Cropped the sky down to remove the over exposed sky, this brings the boathouse and bridge nicely onto the line of thirds and finally a tweak in curves just liven things up a bit.

Stewart

This is a real beauty, I have come back 4 or 5 times to study in more detail and everytime it just grows on me.
It is slightly flawed in a few aspects, the claws, light feather detail and the rock are slightly over exposed so could be tweaked in levels and curves just to tone them down a bit, but very, very minor details and I don't wish to detract from such an awesome shot.

Please accept my UA for an outstanding quality photograph.

Regards

Stewart

A super shot Phil, lots of detail, especially in the grass, great contrasts of colour that all compliment each other.

I do think a slight adjustment in the composition would help a little bit. The lifebouy is just off the line of thirds, a step to the left or a slight crop to bring it in line would work wonders IMHO.
Hope you don't mind/
Regards
Stewart

Hi Kenny, welcome to EPZ and the critique gallery.

Nice first upload, a brilliant sunset with those lovely sun rays.

My main problem with this is lack of F/G interest, careful composition needed to find something, either a small bush or rock to catch the eye, looking around this scene there is plenty to choose from. Also the brightness of the sun setting has caused it to under expose the F/G, use of a ND graduated filter would over come this allowing the camera to expose the F/G properly for you.
The horizon is slightly of, again, careful setting up while composing the shot or adjust in post processing.
Trawl the main photograph gallery and you will see some superb landscape shots to compare and get ideas.
I hope this helps in some small way and most of enjoy your photography.
Regards
Stewart

Edit, someone beat me to it on a mod!!! Rule of thirds works wonders, try and place the horizon on one of these lines.

Love the rich colours on this shot, great idea and lighting is subtle yet effective.

Could do with a bit of care in the set up, the middle apple is slightly out of place in context with the two outer ones. Also the right hand one, IMHO needs to be turned slightly to hide the green part of it.
Still an enjoyable image as crisp as those apples.

Kind regards
Stewart

Nice atmospheric shot, great detail and composition, prefer V1.

I think a bit of cropping is needed to tidy the shot up a bit, the bridge support on the right could do with reducing, this would remove that hanging branch and waste ground, also would bring the engine into the right hand third of the frame. Also a bit of cloning to remove the concrete support, it looks out of place with that beautiful billowing smoke (difficult, but worth it), bricks would blend nicely. IMHO.
Best regards
Stewart

I do like pictures of Kiwi fruits, this is good.
However I think more could be achieved, the use of light has caused lots of bright spots and reduced the amount of detail available. A softer more natural light would more suited, or, cutting a thickish slice and laying it on a lightbox, allowing the inner detail to be seen as well.
Get as close as possible to get maximum detail, don't be scared to crop the edges off the fruit, this does distract slightly.
Use manual focussing to get a sharper picture, this does seem to be a tad soft to what a 150 can achieve.
Hope this helps in some small way?
Regards
Stewart

Brilliant, love this, you've got the colours and texture of the apple spot on.
If I may, though a few adjustments needed. The angle of the light scource needs altering a bit to get it square to the apple, also needs a bit of diffusing to remove the flash spot IMHO.
I don't wish to take anything away from this shot, I really like it, just think a few tweaks could make this a real winner for you?

Regards

Stewart

Hi Mike,

I like the idea and understand the concept you are putting over, the horses eye is nice and sharp, and the second horse nicely out of focus but , as you say recognisable. But, I feel it is overpowering the shot. Rather than have it fill 2/3rds of the frame it really only needs to fill 1/3rd of the frame, (rule of thirds). I feel, this would give both space and room for the second horse to be the subject of the viewers eye, which is the intension?

I hope this helps in some small way?

Regards

Stewart

Lovely wintery scene Rob, nicely exposed and lots of depth to the shot.

I do find the F/G reeds a bit of an intrusion into the scene, maybe a high viewpoint would still keep them in shot but out of the central part IMHO.

Regards

Stewart

All in all a pleasing image but it does have a couple of issues that can be/could be simply rectified.
Firstly the top is not in frame! Check when composing your shot it is in the frame fully.
Secondly, the lighting is a bit on the strong side, looking at the shot it seems like natural daylight from the right? Close the curtains and use a desk lamp with a sheet of greaseproof paper over the end to diffuse it slightly, or if your lucky enough, a softbox, this will illiminate sufficiently without causing overexposure on sensitive/delicate areas.
Lastly, composition, I feel there is more to be had with this flower rather than just straight on as you have here, try different angles and rotations to try get the best out of the subject
I hope this helps in some small way?
Regards
Stewart

Nice portrait Roy and subtley done in "Lightroom"

I do find it a bit unbalanced though, you have an area on her cheek which is over exposed, sometimes no big deal, but it lays next to her hair on the left side which throws it out. The pose is a little to much to the right, is this a cropped shot or as is? If it is cropped, try rotating it slightly back so her eyebrow comes into frame, also, crop the neck out as it does nothing to the shot. Catchlight in the eyes are a bit odd and look "added" and the few stray hairs need cloning out, IMHO.
I hope this doesn't offend but helps in some small way?
Regards
Stewart