Echoes of a Butterfly 18.5 Lan Gao Creative Silver
J3 Interesting concept, but the execution needs more work. The patchwork of butterfly parts around the central butterfly makes for a very busy image. Suggest that the green space around the main butterfly should be more consistent around it, with much less variation. The repeating wing patterns on the left side are distracting and don#039;t match the green space on the right side. Try again, but simplify to reduce distractions and be more consistent.
Old Man Going Home 23.5 Andy Langs Creative Master
J1 Overall an effective interpretation of the topic. Very painterly presentation with the frame supporting the image. Consider reducing the size of the building by moving it further into the scene to add depth.
Light Wave Figure 25.5 HM DP Andy Langs Creative Master
J3 This is a very well composed and interesting image. The attractive diagonal wave leads the eye to the figure. The figure is in an attractive position and the delicate material and back-lighting add interest. Turning the model#039;s head to the side, so as to show an outline of the face, would have been an improvement. Suggest cloning out a few distracting spots at the bottom, right and feathering out the right edge of the blue reflection more gradually to the edge of the frame.
Abstract Dahlia 22 Karen Blunt Creative Gold
J3 This is a very nice image. The sharpness, colour and exposure are really good. Although some creative work may have been done, it is not particularly noticeable. Thus, the image is not strong as a Creative image. It could very well score higher in the Pictorial category.
Fluff in my Eye 23.5 HM GPP Karen Blunt Creative Gold
J2 Very creative idea and execution. Consider being a little more careful about what area of the eye and eyelashes get covered up. Seeing a bit more of the iris and pupil may have helped bring more connection to the viewer.
Rocky#039;s Down Rocky's Down Top C 28 TC DP Greg Alderson Creative Master
J3 Nice composition and the story has high impact. The subject is sharp and well-exposed and the colours look natural. The eerie clouds add to the impact. Assuming that this is a composite image, the work has been done seamlessly. Suggest darkening the legs visible below the birds on the left side as this area would be in shade and should be a little darker. Also, clone out the distracting, bright circle just to the right of the birds. Nicely Done!
Pine Marten Checking Things Out 18.5 Kathleen Wheeldon Nature Bronze
J3 Good composition and natural looking colours, but show more at the bottom, if available. Unfortunately, the subject is soft, possibly due to high levels of noise (visible in the background). Suggest using software such as DeNoise AI to remove the noise and sharpen the image. Lighten the dark areas of the paws and tail to bring in more detail.
Grizzly and Cub During Salmon Run 25 HM DP Marilyn Jarrett Nature Master
J3 Interesting image with a very strong nature story. There are a lot of great things about this photo, but the impact is reduced by the blown highlights on the bear#039;s back. If permitted by the competition rules, clone some fur into the washed-out areas. This would increase the score. Either way, clone in some fur and hang the image on your wall!
Buck Moon 21.5 Janet McNally Nature Gold
J3 Good sharpness and detail in the craters visible on the left side. Correct the yellow cast, which makes the image look unnatural. The brightest highlights appear a little over-exposed. Suggest lowering the overall brightness, darkening the highlights, adding clarity and dehaze to bring out more detail.
Ring Billed Gull 22.5 SPP Mike Moffat Nature Silver
J3 Lovely lighting and feather detail and nice reflection. However, there is an obvious cloned spot to the right of the gull#039;s head (and perhaps one near the reflection of the head) that does not match the surrounding wave patterns. When cloning, make certain that the cloned area matches its' surroundings.
Ring Billed Gull 22.5 SPP Mike Moffat Nature Silver
J3 Lovely lighting and feather detail and nice reflection. However, there is an obvious cloned spot to the right of the gull#039;s head (and perhaps one near the reflection of the head) that does not match the surrounding wave patterns. When cloning, make certain that the cloned area matches its' surroundings.
Bladder Campion 23 SPP Mike Moffat Nature Silver
J3 Good composition, sharp, with natural looking colours. The image would have been more effective if the blossoms were in more pristine condition. The lighting shows good detail without harsh shadows. More colourful early morning or late afternoon lighting would have increased the impact.
Highbush Cranberries in Winter Thaw 20 Michael Coomber Nature Gold
J2 The red adds a great pop of colour. Focus is soft on the cranberries in the foreground, so they are not readily distinguishable from each other. It is often helpful to focus on the foreground in macro images to avoid this issue. The white band in the background along the lower edge is distracting. A small change in the shooting angle usually helps the photographer find a more uniform background.
Musician 20.5 Laura Nelson Pictorial Silver
J3 Good choice of subject that has lots of potential. Unfortunately, the focus is soft and the dark clothing blends in with the background, making the outlines indistinct. Lighten the dark shadows to bring out some detail. Leave a little more room at the top and bottom, if available. Next time, wait until the musician#039;s eyes are open to add interest and increase the impact.
Symbolic carving 21 Ed Espin Pictorial Master
J2 Interesting use of mirroring. When photographing a piece of art, consider using lighting and how the statue fits into the scene with the architecture, to make it more about the photographer#039;s vision, rather than simply being documentary work.
Incoming Storm 20 Loretta Monteleone Pictorial Silver
J1 Good capture, particularly the brooding sky. Technical elements of exposure and sharpness well done. The foreground grasses add depth to the image. Consider removing the two vertical distractions on the bottom.
Looking through the Mask 17 Loretta Monteleone Pictorial Silver
J3 It#039;s not clear what is the main subject ant there does not appear to be any cohesion between the different elements. For example, the trees in the corners have no apparent relation to the chain fence or to the water. The out of focus mask and the bright spots are very distracting. Next time, look for a more interesting subject, make sure it is obvious and only add other elements if they visually fit in with the main subject.
Irises 23 Kathryn Martin Pictorial Master
J3 Nice composition and the irises appear to be in pristine condition. The high key effect is fine, but might be more impactful if more clarity were applied to give the flowers more definition. Try darkening the background a little to bring out the variation of tones.
Reflections 18 Roy Oldfield Pictorial Gold
J3 Good sharpness and exposure of the scene and the reflections are fine. The tree branches create a very busy composition, since they appear to be fractured, with no long, flowing lines to focus attention and provide interest. The dark reflections at the top of the frame are also distracting. Next time, look for more photogenic shapes, perhaps on a day with blue skies and interesting clouds reflected in the water.
Mast 19.5 Roy Oldfield Pictorial Gold
J3 Good sharpness and exposure. The mast is not quite vertical. Rotate clockwise a little. Crop off 1/2 to 2/3 of the empty space at the top. The top boom is partially obscured by the white cables. A vantage point a little more to the left would have resulted in more visual separation between the cables and the top boom.
Sunset 24.5 TC SPP Barbara Bialon Pictorial Silver
J1 This image has considerable impact with colour harmony being a strong feature. The choice of shutter speed to swirl the clouds and their reflection in the water makes for a well crafted image. Consider cropping some of the bottom to move the horizon off centre.
Roots on the Trail 20 Janet McNally Pictorial Gold
J2 The image is well exposed. The image is a bit busy and it takes the viewer a moment to see what the maker wants us to see., which reduces the impact. Consider cropping to show more detail in the roots. Side lighting may help bring out detail to make the image more interesting.
Sitting Lady Falls Metchosin BC 21 Janet McNally Pictorial Gold
J2 The waterfall is well placed in the frame. Although the water has a silky look, there is little definition in it. It appears to be rather solid in many area. Consider trying different lengths of long exposure to find the ideal look. The branches at the bottom of the frame are a distraction.
Svartisen Glacier Norway in Black and White 22.5 John King Pictorial Master
J3 Good sharpness and nice reflections in the water. There appears to be a bright halo along the top of the mountains. This might be due to sharpening with too large of a radius and should be reduced or eliminated. To add more interest, suggest lightening and adding contrast to the sky to bring out the feathery clouds.
The Peaceful Big East River 21.5 Geoffrey Skirrow Pictorial Master
J1 The monochrome presentation if very appropriate for this winter scene. Technical elements of exposure and sharpness well done. The river provides a leading line as well as depth to the image Consider reducing the impact of the tree on the left edge by either cropping or flipping the image horizontal.
Angry Sky 24.5 DP Victor Turczynski Pictorial Master
J1 Good technical execution of the image elements. The view point and strong converging verticals add a lot of interest. Consider reducing the intensity of the clouds which are tending to overpower the scene.
Reflections 20 Victor Turczynski Pictorial Master
J3 The diagonal lines of the building and the distorted, square umbrella shapes are very interesting. The bright area at the top and the less interesting part to the right of the umbrellas draw attention away from the interesting portion. To increase the impact, suggest cropping out the bright top, right into the dark structure, as well as the right quarter of the image, leaving only the portion with the umbrellas.
Broom Point NLFD 22 Karen Blunt Pictorial Gold
J2 A peaceful scene. The red building catches the viewer#039;s eye, as does the gull. If the two were not in line with each other, it would help direct the viewer's eye around the photo.
Kyoto Lights 19.5 Barbara Bialon Pictorial Silver
J3 The movement and blur is very effective in showing a bustling street scene. The sharpness of some of the people on the left side and the empty street above them takes away from that busy street effect. Suggest cropping out the left side and leaving only the more effective right side of this image to strengthen the effect and improve the impact.
Forks 23 SPP Jim Orcheson Pictorial Silver
J1 The lighting on this graphic presentation is superb, adding a lot of interest. Very strong imp[act. The choice of colour between the gold, blue and black is right on. Well done.
Here#039;s the Beef 22.5 Michael Coomber Pictorial Gold
J3 Nice, punchy black and white image with good contrast and sharpness. Suggest opening up the darkest shadows very slightly to reveal a little detail. The disinterested look on the person on the right does nothing to help tell a story. Perhaps some interaction between the two would have been more effective.
