spiker26 (290) [2008-09-25 14:00]

Technically this shot is well centred and balanced. The background is nicely defused and allows the butterfly to stand out. DOF is however lacking in this shot and your 105mm lens should be fine. However f:4 is woefully inadequate for this shot. He might be hypnotised, but he is certainly NOT in focus. At least the eyes, the ‘focal’ point of close-up or macro pictures MUST be in focus for the picture to work. Unless you want to show an ‘artist or abstract’ improvisation of a hypnotised butterfly?
Sorry, you have better macros on your site; this just doesn’t cut it for me at all.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-23 13:59] - [workshop] [compare] [+]

A difficult shot to take with the sky and the right side of the image being washed out. I opened it in Bridge/CS3 and increased the contrast and intensified colours. Also added a sky to it and tidied up the right side background. I selected a grey sky over a blue one. Just an idea.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-23 12:25]

Phil I like this image a lot. It is a classic composition and works very well here in B&W. An opportunity well spotted at the right time of day/light. This is on my 'to do list' for a long time, just haven't found the fence yet. I love the way the fence leads the eye into the picture and disappears (the fence that is) to the right and lets one wonder what is behind the hill. I DON'T like Martijn's workshop modification AT ALL. Don't try to ‘improve’ something which is already perfect I'd say. Having said that, I do like the black frame of Martijn's workshop, it sets the picture off quite well.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-22 1:12] [+]

the composition is good, with the sheep running across the picture/fram/image. B&W suits the theme, but it could be sharper.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-22 1:10] [+]

A nice close-up, not as sharp as I wished it to be. I would have given it a bit more contrast. If you are interested in comments and critiques, you should make your pictures available in workshop. go => profile (yours) => allow workshop.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-22 1:04]

This is a very nice shot Heike and I wouldn't know how to improve it. I like the Sepia tones, which warm the "seat" up, damit man sich nicht den hintern erkalted.
Very well composed and captured.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-21 18:43] [comment] [+]

Fog? Looks more like a sandstorm in Uzbekistan no?

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-08 0:05] [+]

Using your recent 2008-09-07 23:02 forum critique suggestion, I go out on a limp to say:
Good: like the isolation (DOF) of the bird from the background.
Bad: the angle of the shot upwards makes the sparrow look fat with a small head. His eye is lost in the blackness of his head; there is an unusual white spot behind his eye which competes with the reflection in his eye. Colours are ‘just ok’.
Good: your other sparrow: "Posing for Bread Crumbs" is MUCH better proportioned and sits well in the frame, a superior photo all round.
Generally: You have many good and very good photos on your site. Alas, this is not one of them. Can’t quite understand/ agree with the ‘backslapping’ comments of your fans.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-07 23:15]

Unusual shot and colours Like it a lot. Well framed and nice and sharp. Well done. Love it, sits well in the frame.

spiker26 (290) [2008-09-06 1:05]

Dogs have masters, Cats have staff.
I am a dog person (have two Rottweilers) but I admire Cats a lot. Love this photo, soooo typical Cat.