The Young Mister Escher and Companions
by Lydia

Comment:
Congrats on the Blue - a very well envisaged and constructed image.

Maaa Maaa?
by Sunshine86

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Ha! Cute but not cutesy, quite a trick that, to take a baby animal and offer it up while tip-toeing around cliche. I like its honest straight-up-ness too - it feels unembellished despite the fairly interventional edit.

Critical stuff: The pail bottom left. I think I'd have consigned it to cloning.

Overall: A fine rendition of a pretty animal.

Behind blue eyes.....
by knikki

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Something about this image grabs me - it may try to pass itself off as a snapshot to begin with but the facade does not last for long. There is raw emotion here and real purpose too. Although it isn't as sharp as it might be, I'm grateful for that - I can only image how penetrating the stare would be with razor-like focus.

Critical stuff: Not really

Overall: A sleeper - definitely rewards a longer look.

Simple Pleasures
by aznym

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Utterly beautiful composition - I like how it makes my eyes flit - a workout for my eyes as they do push-ups on this image. Great clarity of the static elements despite the long(ish) exposure time needed for the blurry surf. You judged the contrast here fantastically well.

Critical stuff. Nope.

Overall: A very well constructed image.

Get the picture....
by pjotre7

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Outstanding triangular composition with some really interesting elements - the hair (of course) like a static trick, the laughing child the the abyss-like mouth, the hood worn slightly sideways, the circles of confusion bubbling in the tree and your contrast handling - quite flat but with deep shadows and strong highlights preserved.

Critical stuff: Nope

Overall: Masterful and utterly confident. An image too good, too insightful and too elusive for the likes of me to ever aspire to. Outstanding.

Message edited by author 2012-05-08 07:11:41.

Ice Cream Girl
by nickyb

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: I like quirky portraits and this is certainly that! The HDR/tone mapping works really well to add interest and the shallow DOF and popping eye colour enhance the effectiveness still further. I like the portrait-in-landscape-orientation too.

Critical stuff: I think the tongue might take it over the edge. Although it adds humour, I'm not sure the image needs it.

Overall: A bold portrait - I like that.

The Venus Representative
by Sebi

Comment:
Goodness me, that's effective!

The backdrop and stark lighting works really well here.

the quiet nightmare of conformist suburbia continues...
by jmritz

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Noise galore and an eclectic scene but the suggestion of colour - or, more accurately, the colour of a deep pink twilight is very compelling. Like the dream of a movie we never saw but scares us in our dreams just the same. This image just gets better the longer you look at it.

Critical stuff: Nope

Overall: There is something magical about this one. It transcends my eyes and appears to connect directly with my subconscious. Excellent.

mystic maidens
by cutout

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: A great mix of reflection, texture and ambient light. I like the slight green hue too. The non-discernable reflected subject frustrates a little but is effective in getting us to inspect and enjoy the texture of the surface.

Critical stuff: I don't find there to be a hook in this image - I like it, but it doesn't have anything that grabs my attention.

Overall: Well seen and well made but in the end (for me) it can only deliver so much.

8 6 4 EMERGENCY EXIT
by timfythetoo

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives:Delightful (and highly structured) composition. The juxtaposition between the minimalist vehicle and the cheery children is tremendous. I really like the reflected 'No Parking' sign too. The slightly flat toning works really well - it offers a neutrality that doesn't seek to lead the eye allowing it to explore quite naturally.

Critical stuff: Nope

Overall: A charming and delightful image.