Congratulations Dave/Wavemachine, I really liked your photo especially the processing and leading lines in your shot, if I was to be hyper-critical, my eye kept being drawn to the straight edges along the bottom and in the bottom left hand corner of the photo. I guess you didn't have enough room to include the vignette here.
My vote went to the Maltesers, I really liked the simplicity and vibrancy of the image, plus I really like matlesers!!
My shot, after thinking long and hard about what I could photograph for the competition, I couldn't think of anything, I woke on Sunday morning with a robin sitting in the tree outside my bedroom window, but by the time I ran downstairs to get my camera, he had gone
. Sunday evening came and I was thinking about having a beer when I remembered what I had in the fridge, and how it would be a good opportunity to try out the flash hood that I received for Christmas. I didn't end up drinking the beer in the end
, as I took so long to get a shot I was happy with, it got a bit too late.
UPS and DOWNS
UP - Christmas Cacti
A lovely shot of this festive flower. Focus and DOF are spot on. Again if I was being very picky, I think the flash might have been perhaps a little harsh, or too close, as the centre of the photo (the base of the flower after the first ring of petals) looks almost too bright, whereas the background petals are a little too dark.
DOWN - No entry...
A good photo and a great subject for a colour pop. However, I think there's too much going on in the background. Perhaps next time (if you are able) move round to the left or right and go lower, shooting upwards to isolate the sign a bit from the railings and trees. Failing that, open up the aperture to try to reduce the DoF and to try and throw the background out. Oh and if you do reshoot, I'd clone out the 'dog on a lead' sticker rather than colour pop it. I hope this helps, it's not meant as a critism and is just my opionon.
Regards
Nick