2021 February Entries

Topic: Broken Judge: Marea Downey Dallas, TX

: FIRST PLACE 7.5 I like the sharpness in this image, and the contrast of the snow with the colors in the image. I appreciate that this image was photographed just as the broken wind chime lay, and there are a number of components for my eye to explore. I might like to see this image cropped down from the top to exclude the cactus more, turning the image more panoramic so a viewer can concentrate on the main subject.

: 6.5 I like the choice of subject to fit the theme in this image, and I also like the contrast of colors. I find the focus in this image a little fuzzy particularly around the wooden “dog’s” head. I believe I would like to see this image cropped in from the right, to eliminate what may be the other leg of a rocking chair. I do not think it adds useful information to the composition.

: FIRST PLACE 9.0 I admire the choice of subject to illustrate the theme. I like the delicate colors of the eggshells and the background, and the pinkish eggshell interior. I also like the composition. I am not sure if this image is in good focus in the area nearest the viewer because it is at a much smaller resolution than some other images presented to me for judging. I am assuming it is in sharp focus in the foreground, which I would like to see.

: SECOND PLACE 8.2 I like the concept of this image to match the theme. I believe the broken windowpanes are sharp, as are the vines on the side of this building. The out-of-focus yellow parts in this image add an air of mystery to the image, although the yellow color is so strong that I find it rather distracting. I think de-saturating the yellow parts would improve the overall impact of this image.

: 7.0 This image seems to me to be in sharp focus, and I like the blue colors of the cars and also in the rails, in contrast to the neutral colors of the asphalt and the concrete. My concern is that to me the strongest element in this image is the line of the railing. If the photographer was intrigued by the broken asphalt I believe this image would have been stronger with a much closer viewpoint, maybe even at ground level.

: 6.0 I appreciate that this fishing boat, which appears to be now aground, caught the photographer’s attention. I can see also that the light was difficult in this setting. My eye is bothered by the area towards the stern of the boat, which appears much lighter than the surrounding sea. I would also like to see the horizon level.

: 7.8 I like the colors of this old trailer. I believe I would have liked to see a different viewpoint of the trailer to exclude the barrel and some other extraneous items so I could focus my attention just on the trailer. I think I can fix it

: 7.8 I really like the colors in this image. The subject appears to be in sharp focus. My eye is somewhat troubled that I have to avoid being distracted by the foreground and middle ground trees in order to gain an appreciation of the ruined house as the subject. I would have liked to see a viewpoint where the foreground and middle ground trees did not partially obscure the sight of the house. I realize that may not have been possible at the location.

: 7.8 I like the composition in this image and the good perspective with nothing leaning backwards or forwards. I like the inclusion of the sign naming the cafe, to inform me of the purpose of the building, and the overgrown flowerbed in front of the sign that might once have been an illuminated sign. I would have liked to see this image with more light in the shadow areas, but I realize this might have been a difficult shot in harsh lighting when the sun illumination wasn’t favorable.

: 8.0 There are some lovely colors in this image for me to enjoy. I am intrigued by the subject’s placement apparently on top of a building. This image appears to have sharp focus. I would like to see other elements in this image de-saturated so my attention can be directed to the incongruity of the vehicle on a roof.

: 8.0 I like the colors here, and the composition that includes a stronger colored base at the bottom of the image to ground this image. I am assuming that the photographer saw more into this subject than I can appreciate since I cannot see the setting. The FLT are sharp, and I can see that the walls are old and deteriorated, so I suppose this is what the photographer meant to portray as Broken.

: 8.4 I like the soft light in this image, which allows me to see the detail in the shadows. This image appears to be sharp, and the perspective appears appropriate. I believe this image might have gained more impact if more of the surrounding had been included, enough to give me a sense of place

: 9.1 I like the strong diagonal lines at the top of this image, and the strong vertical lines at the bottom, which contrast so well with the fallen diagonal of the parking sign. I believe intensifying the orange color in the sign would add some good impact to this image.

: 9.2 I love the composition in this image and the gorgeous color in the vehicle’s paintwork, which to me contrasts so well with the shiny chrome of the broken headlight.

: HM 9.3 I admire the contrast of colors in this image, and the sharpness of focus on the car, with the foreground and background in softer focus, so my attention is all on the car. I also like the diagonal line of the car body part at the side of the car. Without it, the image might lack the impact it has. I would like to see more details in the shadowy part of the front of the car, which is not showing up on my monitor, but may be there in the original.

: 9.1 I like the simplicity of composition in this image, and the way the red pen in the foreground points my attention to the black screen. The sharp focus on the inner workings of the broken phone is a very useful inclusion for me to understand the caption.

: THIRD PLACE 9.4 I really like the composition in this image and the choice of black and white. The shadows give me a wonderful sense of depth. I also like the sharp focus on the bulb filaments and the shine on the bulb bases.

: SECOND PLACE 9.5 I love the sharp focus on the bird contrasting with the background, which helps me know something of the location without overwhelming the image. All my attention is on the bird. I like the selection of this image to fit the theme since the branch is broken, but is still useful to the bird.

: FIRST PLACE 9.8 This image to me is all about the expression on this young man’s face. I like the composition in this image, with the emphasis also on his injury. I consider all the elements in this image are just right. Nothing has been excluded that would have helped and nothing is included that doesn’t have a purpose.