Anyone interested in a discussion on what makes or breaks a chop, why is it good or crap, what could've been done or undone, what technique was used or should've been used. Well you get my drift.

All we gotta do is pick one and go from there. Who wants to do the honors?

In about 40 hours (can't remember contest name) little girl reading a book is coming up. I placed an entry. I see some very obvious mistakes but to hard to correct with my set up. I am easy going and wouldn't mind a solid hard Break down of the picture. So I definitely volunteer when contest pops up. Thank it would be a great idea.

I am not in that contest and can remain objective, we'll discuss when it opens.

Perfect!!

I'm into constructively criticizing a chop or two. Interesting topic providing the comments remain meaningful. Keeping it to one contest allows a broader range of techniques used on the same source. You can crap all over mine providing you crap nicely! The reading girl sounds like a good start.

This is good! An educational contest.

"Crap Nicely"

Started work on little girl reading, not sure if I'll finish. good for discussion though.

I think the discussion should be of a contest already over. Or else it becomes a tutorial session. It would also be fairer.

I'm up with the general consensus, but I figured once you have voted, you can come back here and say what you liked or disliked, and the author of the chop can then choose to edit if he or she chooses, depending on the comments.

Remember that contests are anonymous until you vote, other are anonymous until the end

I have commented that my photo will be used as an educational tool in the little girl reading contest. Also I stated that it is educational and I volunteered and everyone should use this as an educational experience as I will too. I want to get better. Eventually I will buy a computer & some form of photoshop. I think this site is TOPS! I completely understand I don't have photoshop but I can learn still. I welcome the critique completely.

I learned something this weekend. I noticed the view from my phone wasn't as sharp as when I blow up the picture at Photoshop Nation. I went to the library and checked out my pictures on their computer and found they look even worse! From my phone they look ok. Now I see what everyone is talking about lol. I need to get a computer.

LOL, Lars, you are so funny !!!!!

lars.von-getts wrote:I have commented that my photo will be used as an educational tool in the little girl reading contest. Also I stated that it is educational and I volunteered and everyone should use this as an educational experience as I will too. I want to get better. Eventually I will buy a computer & some form of photoshop. I think this site is TOPS! I completely understand I don't have photoshop but I can learn still. I welcome the critique completely.

Don't say eventually Lars buy one now!

Can someone load my picture from "Girl Reading Book" on the Discussion now that contest is over. I tried but it told my picture was to large.

Thank You! Well here it is. I'm at work but please give it the old go over.

First of all this should've come in second if not first.
Aside from the obvious quality of the vertical lines and blurryness due to doing it on a cell phone.
IMHO, you should've come in closer on girl and tree, put her more under the tree sitting on the clouds not being swallowed by them (lol).
Love the close up butterflies and love that it they lead our eyes to rabbit, to girl, tree, and back around.
Well that's my start.

TOPS! I just got home and am reading intently. Go hard on my pic I'm hip to learning.

I agree that this was placed lower than it should have been. Seems to me that it was the lower quality and blurriness that lowered scores. Distant objects are lightened well. I also think she's too far from the tree, although I might have moved both her and the tree towards centre to keep the rule of thirds working with you. With that said, it's balanced as is. I can't believe you're pulling this off on a smart phone, Lars! I don't think I could do the same.

Darn I want smack down not compliments. Eventually, and I'm serious, will be getting a computer and some form of photoshop. It is of my three primary goals this year. When I do get a couple & Photoshop I will once again deal with a learning curve. I'm ok with that. I'm looking at this time as learning completely. I truly appreciate the compliments but want hard edge assessment. Please pretend I'm not using a PicsArt phone editor. Thank you all for the smack. I mean that.