Ok, long comment here, so I put it under a cut.



Ok, numbered #1 - #15 beginning with Daniel and numbering left to right.

#1 – Daniel – what I like about this icon is its clarity and the close-up of Daniel’s face. You can really see his expression and eyes. I don’t care for the coloring as much. It’s getting a bit too close to orange tones I think.

#2 – Maybourne – this one is great. Again, the clarity is fantastic. I always wonder how people do this. My icons are often blurry and the text is hard to read. The words of the text are very appropriate and the subtle changes in the text make the words jump out – you don’t just see the words – you can almost hear and feel the intense, “over the edge” insane voice Maybourne would be using to say the words. The coloring is appropriate – the darkness pulls you in and makes you feel the madness.

#3 – I like this one. Not a clue how the effects are done, but I like them – and the coloring is good too. Hmm, not too helpful with this one – I like it, but it doesn’t grab me and make me take a second look.

#4 – Now this one is great. The single word of text is perfect. And the starkness of the picture makes you feel the desolation. The simple contrast in coloring seems to emphasize it as well. I don’t think it would have worked in only b & w. The subtle shade of pink seems to create enough contrast to emphasize the isolation.

#5 – The composition of this one is neat and unique. I’m not a fan of Battlestar Galactica, so I don’t feel it would be fair to comment any further.

#6 – Again, since this is BSG, it would not be fair to comment. If I had a point of reference, I might be able to comment. It’s easier with Stargate because I’ve seen all the episodes and when it is something I recognize and it evokes some emotion; then I can comment appropriately. Once again, though, the clarity is good.

#7 – Not sure of its significance. Although, the dinosaurs are cute.

#8 – WB? The TV channel or initials for the person/character? I like the B & W in this one – it seems to suit the picture. Since I don’t know who it is, I again don’t have any frame of reference for commenting.

#9 – Again, I don’t know who this is, but I do think the coloring is fantastic. It’s just enough and not totally b & w. Again – great job with clarity.

#10 – This one is just hilarious! I love Calvin. You captured this quite well with the coloring and lettering – and of course, Calvin’s expression. It just evokes a chuckle.

#11 – Same comment as #9.

#12 – This one I love. The coloring is so great – you can just imagine SG-1 exiting the Stargate and exploring a new, great big world. It seems to hold such promise and beginnings with the subtle coloring. It’s almost as if the sun is starting to peek out from behind a cloud to greet them. This one does not have the sharpness like some of the others, but it doesn’t need it – the shapes in the distance beckon you to find out more - as if calling you to join SG-1 in exploring a new planet.

#13 – LOL. This one is great. Since I saw the episode, I recognize the scene. Perfect text, and great coloring. I like how you see the blue of the words against the black on the bottom. I would not have wanted to see any brightening effects on this icon. Something about darkness of night and the N.I.D – they just go together.

#14 – Ronon – I really like this one. Again, perfect clarity and close-up on his face. You don’t need to see his entire face to get that expression. It just makes you wonder – is he looking back at someone? What is he thinking?

#15 – O’Neil – perfect. Text fits the expression. Nothing else needs to be said.

Ok, I’m not sure if this information is helpful at all. Don’t forget that I’ve snooped through your icons – I’m not entirely sure these are representative of your work. You do have some other icons that are stunning. Anyway, I hope you are able to sift out something useful from all this blather.

long comment here
*smooches* Thank you!

#1 It’s getting a bit too close to orange tones I think.
I think I have a wider tolerance for weird skin colors than the average person. I've decided to blame it on the wonky t.v. of my childhood. *nods* Strangely, this one is pretty much the color of the cap without my changing it. But if it bugged you, it probably bugged others and it's something I know how to fix!

#2 Again, the clarity is fantastic. I always wonder how people do this.
If you want me to answer this, I'd be happy to. :)

The text in this one worked for you? It always bugged me and I've since decided part of the problem is that it overwhelms the composition.

#3 Hmm, not too helpful with this one – I like it, but it doesn’t grab me and make me take a second look.
No effects; that's the photo I took of him when he was onstage at a con. :) I agree completely that it isn't a "grabber." I threw that one in because I wanted unbiased reaction to it and it has confirmed my impressions. Peter Williams is a very nice guy and he deserves icons that grab a person. :)

#4 I have no feeling for whether a landscape icon works or not. I like playing with them, they're MILES more forgiving than a person when playing with color and effects, but I can never tell when it's "done" -- or when it's appealing. *shrug*

#5 I’m not a fan of Battlestar Galactica, so I don’t feel it would be fair to comment any further.
Well, if you hate the show and it tinges your view of the icon, I can see that. In any case, you gave an opinion and I'm good with that. :)

#7 Although, the dinosaurs are cute.
Eeek! Poor Godzilla! Reduced to cute! *snicker*

#8 Ah, my bad. It's an icon from Witchblade, an obscure sci fi show from several years ago. The text AND the font suck. They were meant to be place holders and then I developed a hole in my brain and somehow thought it was done. You don't need to be in the fandom, I think, to judge an icon or not but knowing the context determines whether one *likes* it, I think.

#8 Keith Hamilton Cobb. Most widely known, I think, for his role on Andromeda. Has a brain to go with the beauty, but only one of those is icon-izable. ;-)

#11 You might kick yourself for not recognizing Rainbow Sun Francks (Aiden Ford of Stargate Atlantis) but I'm very pleased that you didn't recognize him. That was my goal. :) I know, I'm weird, but it was made to match an AU story written by jalabert. He's supposed to look like a rap artist instead of Lieutenant Ford.

#12 Hee! Excellent because that's actually a seriously messed with photo. The original has an ominous orange sky (it's Hanka, where Nirrti poisoned everyone) and it's impossible to even see the team. I worked on that image a LOT to change the mood. I can't decide, though, if it's done. (See my earlier comments on landscapes.) It feels...unfinished. Maybe a texture of some sort but I'm loathe to distract from the pic. I don't know. I dither.

#13 I hated the episode story-wise but the visuals are compelling. I've revisited it any number of times.

#14 So, it feels done? Negative space makes me nervous but I *love* it when I'm looking at someone else's work. I let the negative space go here but was very surprised that nobody commented on saving it. Especially since I'd gotten comments about my *lack* of Ronan. I thought maybe it was people picking up a sense of it's *almost* done that I had felt in looking at it. Or, it could be nobody wanted yet another Ronan. :)

#15 It's such a great cap of him. That episode I both love and visit over and over for the wonderful images.

Ok, I’m not sure if this information is helpful at all.
It is! I tried very hard not to influence the observations in any way. I wanted to see what struck people as good - or bad - and what drew comments.

Don’t forget that I’ve snooped through your icons – I’m not entirely sure these are representative of your work.
Perhaps not. I do a LOT more in somebody's face icons than are represented here, but I think there's a sameness there. Critique one and you've critiqued 500. ;-)

I tried to choose various fandoms because I wanted to get reactions that were based on not knowing the show as well as having others tinged by fannish context. I wanted to include both close-ups and landscapes. I'd like to have included some that capture action, but I haven't really done any of those. That's something for me to work on. I wanted beefcake, humor, and plain old, "here's a character we all love."

I was going to include some Teryl icons but the ones I most wanted a comment on are all entered in the terylicious contest and any improvements would make me want to enter those and that wouldn't be fair, I think, since it wouldn't be my own work.