Best friends

This is an absolutely stunning image. The fact that it was taken in one of the most iconic places in the world, Lake Bled , Slovenia definitely helps. But more than that, it is a very tender image that tells a beautiful story of companionship and friendship in a subtle "not in your face friendship" sort of way. During that early hour when most of the world is still asleep, the man and his trusted partner silently share the magic that surrounds them. From a technical standpoint, had this been in colour it might have been a bit harsh since the sun had already risen. But the BW conversion grants it a mystical quality and shows off the beautiful fog and the shadows of the figures that act as leading lines. All in all, great work!

I actually like this image in terms of content... great candid moment between friends, correct shutter speed that captures the motion and freezes the water, low angle, large aperture that sets them apart from the background. However, the editing needs improvement. Trying to selectively lift shadows is a tricky thing and not a good idea if the means to do it is by just brushing a higher exposure over your subjects as you end up with apparent light halos. The best thing to do in this case is to use Camera Raw and gently lift the exposure and shadows universally, for the entire image.

This could have been one of those "say cheese"moments, if only the subjects would cooperate. But in not doing so, they have created a candid moment that is both funny and endearing. I'm picturing these kids playing in the dirt for hours, and eventually getting into a fight and not wanting to talk to each other, which is what friends do at that age... literally all the time. The expression of the two boys at each end certainly speaks to that.

I also like the choice of Black and White, the tone and slight haze which give the image a vintage feel.

What a fun and creative concept to illustrate the bond between two women, definitely different from the rest. Technically it could have been a little better in terms of merging the different layers (for example, the bricks next to the woman on the left don't align with those of the rest of the wall) or making sure the image was centered, but I have to give points for details such as the shadowing of the woman's legs on the glass. The toning is also soft and beautiful. Great idea, well done.

I don't usually prefer images with smiling subjects looking straight at the camera as the way to portray the idea of friendship, but this one came across as sincere and authentic. The children seem engrossed in the moment and truly happy, and they come across as a tight group of friends who were out playing in the fields. I love the angle and the decision to surround them with this beautiful tall grass was brilliant. Not only is it an excellent frame but the green and white offers a nice contrast and helps our friends stand out.

I particularly like the composition of this image. I appreciate the strong shapes and lines of the ground, how the boys are framed by the grey concrete parts and the high point of view. An unusual playground for the three friends who perhaps chose to play football after school instead of rushing home to study? It is also one of those images when the strong midday sun works in its favor, creating beautiful shadows, contrast and texture. Overall a really nice image.

A beautiful portrait that stood out for me. The girl seems comfortable and accustomed to holding her dog on her shoulders, there is no uncertainty in her grasp. The fact that they are not looking at the camera is a plus in this case. I love how she lovingly looks up while her dog, equally comfortable, is peacefully gazing ahead. The touch of wind, the slightly lower angle than the subjects, the narrow depth of field with the lovely bokeh and the toning of the black and white conversion are all elements that make this portrait a standout.

When we think of friendships we tend to think of groups of two, not twelve. But somehow, it works for this image. They are all in sync, they are having a tremendous time, and the frame, with the strong architectural component slightly off centered, the empty space to the left and the strong shadows cast by the harsh midday sun is visually compelling. I like the colour contrast but would have preferred it to be closer to blue, perhaps through selective colouring during processing.

Another image whose content I liked but felt its editing needed improvement. I like the setting, the two children seem genuinely affectionate towards each other, the low angle is nice and the wooden bars serve as leading lines. However, this is a case of pushing the editing too much. Over processing leaves obvious signs such as the case with the clouds. Also, trying to lighten the subjects with just the brush tool alone leaves evident marks around their bodies. Be mindful of applying too much contrast and clarity, and using the Refine Edge in Photoshop will give you a much better selection when you attempt to selectively brighten a specific area.

This image is very sweet, the happiness portrayed in the children's faces is genuine. The light is harsh though, and as such, black and white would have done the image more justice. Also, be mindful of distractions in the background, such as the man behind the boy. The use of a large aperture is a wise choice for portraits of this kind, but if you have a longer lens and you take a close up shot involving more than one person, it will become necessary to close it down a bit to get both in focus.

This image has potential: beautiful setting, two friends playing with the water and nice framing. But a few tips to take it to the next level. Use a lens that allows you to play with depth of field. Using apertures such as f.2 for example will isolate your subject from the background. Try to shoot such images later in the afternoon. You will avoid harsh light and blown highlights such as those in the water. Also, get lower on the ground. It gives a sense that we are not spectators, that we are actually in the scene taking place in front of us.