St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

To learn more about our craft, and find what separates one image from another, let's look at the winner of the Weekly Photo Challenge and analyze why they won, to see how we can apply their strategies to our own.

This is what they had to work with - WPC 1547 - Power* http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-350746-1.html

And, here are the results - WPC 1547 - Power* RESULTS http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-352183-1.html

Remember to think about the subject matter, lighting, composition, and the story of the photo when looking at the image. Also consider the title, season, sentiment and it's competitors when trying to discover why it's secrets.

Good luck and have fun with it! S-
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To help got you going -
How to Write a Photography Critique http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Photography-Critique
How to Analyze Composition http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/165/how-to-analyze-composition
Developing Skills: Reverse Engineering Photos http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/12/reverse-engineering-photos
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"Yes Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus" the power of belief! Macy's 34th St, New York City. Shot with Sony A7r II, Zeiss 25mm f2.8 ZM f4, 125/sec ISO 12,800.

(Download)

RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

This one for me makes the point to always have a camera with you. I was at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade pep rally the Monday before the parade since my niece was marching in the parade and was in town from Illinois. So I had my good camera with me to take photos of her. Stepped outside after the pep rally and saw this incredible scene of the balloon, the Empire State Building, and the moon, all in a nice alignment. Actually got another good shot with the moon right on top of the Empire State Building, but the balloon was not in a good place when I moved to put the moon over the building!

I could have taken the image with my iPhone, but the low light capability is no where close to the Sony!

Moon over Manhattan

(Download)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Love the backstory! Thank you, S-

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The theme of that week's challenge was "Power." Being a bit dense at times regarding messages, I don't know if I would have picked up on this one without the title, "'Yes Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus' the power of belief!"

Having read that, I am enchanted by both the message and the title. Including the moon and the Empire State Bldg in the background add a sense of time, place and interest.

I'm not sure about the "newspaper" headline. I guess it helps convey the message, but the ads are unfortunate, especially Aflac :) I'd be sorely tempted to take white-out to the ads and to adjust so that Santaland isn't cut off.

Overall, a 9 from me: whimsical, creative, happy, interesting!

RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

Thank you for your comments. I thought of coping the ads out, but then would have lost the red bar with the stars which I liked to set up the balloon. Without that, I thought he balloon looked worse for some reason. To me it needed the support under it.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I was thinking more of just painting out the ads with white, not trying to clone with something else. I see your point about the red, and like it.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

A very nicely spotted scene and good concept carried out well. I like way you've used your lens choices and shooting angles to set up the composition, with everything slanted upwards/to the right so we have no real choice but to follow your eye. The primary colors are engaging and help to simplify the image. Though I initially thought the ads distracting, I decided that ads, like department stores, are part of what we now associate with Christmas, and they provide a little window into that side of the holidays. The moon is lagniappe. Well done.