Good use of bokeh as a background for the spiral. This image is reminiscent of abstract with a hint of still life. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. The image seemed a little flat. Did the touch of processing for pop and contrast help the expression?

The image has a neon feel. The photograph wants to have a flowing feel, but this “feel” is broken up by the gaps between the bright portions of the lines. I am not sure how well this image expresses bokeh. The dashed lines do not have a feeling of out-of-focus as intended for bokeh, and the blue background seems to be only a background that does not present as out-of-focus. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. While it may not be what the photographer intended; does the edited version have a more pleasing visual aesthetic (bokeh) feel than the original?

Great bokeh. While the competition challenge was bokeh, the image is still judged on the whole of its components. Compositionally the visual weight (eye and head) of the subject is a little to the left side of the frame making the image feel out of balance and the image background seems a little bright while the subject seems underexposed. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Keep in mind this was done on a lo-res jpeg. Did the change in composition and processing strengthen the image?

Good bokeh. Image is compositionally sound. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. The original seems a little flat and washed out. Did the processing for richness and contrast make a difference?

Good bokeh on the points of lights. While the competition challenge was bokeh, the image is still judged on the whole of its components. The glass is off-center (more to the right side of the frame) and seems a little bright. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did the processing strengthen the idea? Maybe added a little drama?

Colorful and well composed image. The hand adds interest to the photograph. The lights just look out of focus. That is of course blur but when thinking of bokeh, you think of the quality of the blurred portion of the image. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did more blur improve the idea?

Good bokeh on the points of light. The subject is composed to the left and notice the support at the bottom of the sculpture’s foot. The support is a distraction at the edge of the frame. While the competition challenge was bokeh, the image is still judged on the whole of its components. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did removing the distraction at the bottom of the frame and changing the composition help the image?

The points of light in the background are out-of-focus, but the visual aesthetic of the blur could be improved. Also, notice the decanter is off the center to the right. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did the change in bokeh and composition improve the shot?

Good bokeh on the points of light. While the competition challenge was bokeh, the image is still judged on the whole of its components. Great bokeh with an uninteresting subject doesn’t make for a great image. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did removing the points of light at the upper-left edge of the frame and opening up (brightening) the cup improve the shot?

Good bokeh on the points of light. While the competition challenge was bokeh, the image is still judged on the whole of its components. Great bokeh with an uninteresting subject doesn’t make for a great image. Notice the figure is slightly off-center and a little dark. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did a tighter crop to center the figure and opening up (brightening) the figure improve the shot?

Is a glass spiral with an out-of-focus background enough for this challenge? Maybe not as shot. Compositionally, the spiral is composed closer to the left side of the frame giving the shot an out of balance feel. The image also has a gritty or grainy feel which could be considered in conflict with bokeh. Compare the side-by-side visual critique and look at the difference in the background bokeh. Which one has a more pleasing visual aesthetic?

Good bokeh for the background. Compositionally the image could be refined, and the image is a little flat and washed out. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did the crop, and processing for color and contrast improve the image? Does the tighter crop help emphasize the hummingbird?

The background is out of focus, but it is not what could be considered good bokeh. The image also looks bright with some overexposed areas. Look at the top of the bill. Looks like it was shot during midday (a little backlit) when the lighting is at its worse. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. I processed for color and contrast, cleaned up the blown out areas, and enhanced the bokeh. What do you think?

Great use of bokeh with the points of light for making magic. Check out the side-by-side visual critique. Not a critique, I simply played around and added to your “Magic”.

Great bokeh and the color of the background support and compliment this simply stated subject. My only comment is on the processing. The image seems a little bright and flat, but not overexposed. This could have been intentional and processed to a personal aesthetic. I only mention it as something to think and talk about with others. The other issue is the stem of the flower leading the viewer off out of the frame. I darkened it a little to try and keep the viewer in the frame. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did the processing and trying to subdue the stem help?

(Deja-vu from the Orchid) Great bokeh and the color of the background support and compliments this simply stated subject. My only comment is on the processing (no points were deducted). The image seems a little bright, but not overexposed. This could have been intentional and processed to a personal aesthetic. I only mention it as something to think and talk about with others. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. I simply darkened the image using a layer mask and multiply blend mode. Did the processing add anything to the image?

The color red begs to be photographed. The challenge is to photograph and process red in such a way to not lose detail with saturation. The bokeh is ok, but it doesn’t seem to support the flower well. The bokeh in the original feels busy and competes for attention with the flower instead of supporting/complementing it. There are also some distracting elements at the bottom of the flower. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did the crop for composition and enhancing the bokeh change the feel?

The bokeh is appropriate as a background for the bird. Normally you would want the bird or animal flying into the frame. That rule was effectively broken in this shot by placing the shrub in the lower-left corner causing the viewer to stay in the frame by going back and forth between the bird and the shrub. Compare the side-by-side visual critique for a processing idea to add depth and contrast. What do you think?

The background is out of focus, but the quality of the bokeh could have been improved. Also notice how bright the image, and more specifically the background is. The viewer's eye will always go to the brightest part of an image. The squirrel is small in the frame when it should dominate the frame. It is the subject after all. Bokeh is the digital challenge and this shot is used to support the subject. The image also feels a little bright. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Does the crop and processing for color, tonality, and contrast improve the image? Look close and you will notice I removed a poorly place stick.

The background is out of focus, but the quality of the bokeh is lacking. While bokeh can be subjective, good bokeh softens or smooths edges rendering them unidentifiable. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. That background may not have been the best for the subject.

The bokeh is adequate…the contrasting tonalities (greens to yellows) may not have been the best as a background to the purple, and to emphasize the floating flower. This may have been a candidate for a lo-key shot. The image seems overexposed with the bright background and the white areas with no detail in the flower. Compare the side-by-side visual critique for an idea of what I am trying to express.

Good bokeh…the use of bokeh helps this shot. It would not feel the same if the background had detail. The composition is appropriate. The image feels a little flat and washed out. Compare the side-by-side visual critique. Did the processing for contrast and color help the image and emphasize the title of “Yellow Eyes”?