Apologies for the delay in processing the results, some extra shifts and the spooky festive season upon us got me tied up with more immediate matters.
I'll make this quick;
D1N0, I very much liked your first offering, the added warmth I think did wonders for the shot. The second entry I enjoyed also, tho I personally would have preferred the 'scratchy' effect to be dialed back and made more subtle. Thanks for participating.
todd, interesting that you chose to crop with all your entries, I felt by cropping it minimised the DoF the initial shot had which (I think) adds to the overall shot. The bokeh is not as obvious with the crop but nonetheless I enjoyed the effects and editing path you chose. Version one and two I liked the most, I can't help feeling that the best result would have been an uncropped version 1 with the overlay effect added that existed in version 2. As always I really enjoy seeing your work and appreciate the time spent and choice of edits presented.
jcomley, a powerful edit here but not to my personal likings. I emphasis
my, other eyes might see things differently. I feel the vignette is too much, somehow darkens and contrasts too strongly with the subject that portrays a softer message, but as always I really appreciate all entries, there is no right and wrong, no winners and losers especially with the initial given image, it's got nothing really to do with technically being right, it's just apples and oranges. I look forward to seeing your further offerings.
astonm, nice entries. I like the originality of providing a 'cheesy' message, and appreciate the non text version also. I like the 'safe' editing choice, I can't help feel that the nontext version feels a tad odd cropped that way tho, perhaps because the mind expects to see the aforementioned message? Perhaps the second nontext version would appeal slightly better if the subject matter was more central than to the right? Meh... I don't really know. Nice edits tho and thanks for participating.
noelcmn, another crop and another strong contrast, the hair and eyebrows are just a tad too strong and black for my liking however I appreciate the direction taken. Thanks for the entry.
Glenn5995 with the only 'black & white' offering in what appears a sepia styled conversion. Do i detect some high key in there? Really like this offering, as always a solid entry from you.
This weeks winner I'm going to give the
nod to todd, specifically his second entry version. Although I think the crop harmed the overall image it does also have the benefits of pushing the girls expression right to the forefront and I think this in combination of the edit (high key, desaturated with a nice subtler 'scratchy aging static' look) really drives the photo well. I was really dithering to also go with D1N0's offerings, on a different night with a different beer in my hand I may easily have decided this version I liked the most, and that I think sums up nicely how work like this is
subjective. I only offer my opinion without credentials so always feel free to poopah my words
Congrats todd, look forward to seeing what you've got