Alabaster
by rooum

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: Wonderfully Beautifully subtle portrait (from memory, this looks like Clive's dad). The dark side of the face is sublime - exactly the right amount of luminosity; and the DOF works so well. the slightly eccentric framing and the use of negative space works (but not without some slight discordant visual harmonic) - you've create some visual tension there.

Critical stuff: Despite the above, my brain wants me to say that it wants a bit more room below his chin.

Overall: Masterfully done - portrait over picture. Well done.

1030764-Trapped Beneath the Ice
by pixelpig

Comment:
Wow, like some sort of alien energy hound. I like it.

Happy New Year
by jomari

Comment:
Way to kick off a blur SC!

New Year's Day, Morning Light
by PenelopeK

Comment:
Lovely Lensbaby flare - pristine focus too.

murmurs of chaos
by skewsme

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: Very put-on-the-wall-able; a victory of texture and colour over form and authentic reproduction. Great colours and enough tree detail to allow the brain to anchor its appreciation. I love that focal square too.

Critical stuff: Can't think of anything I would change.

Overall: A fine semi-abstract.

The Oysterman
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Gorgeous image - so well judged; that snow is marvellous.

The Untold Story
by AllenP

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: How utterly fabulous! One of those images I look at and know that I have a long way to go with my own photography - quite wonderful lighting - in all dimensions; this gives your image uncommon depth and a luscious richness. The coloration is just perfect. I've been trying to create a filter recipe in Color Efex Pro to give exactly this rich coloration where even the cool tones feel warm. Composition and depth of field is bang on and your title is just perfect.

Critical stuff: None whatsoever.

Overall: A real treat. Masterful and wonderfully cinematic. I'm looking forward to finding out who pulled this off.

The Word on the Street
by ubique

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: This is a simply amazing image - strong where it needs to be but oh-so-subtle across the frame. So many delicate elements to take in - all augmented by your choice of POV. His buttoned up shirt, the pattern on his hat and trousers, the precise fold of his newspaper... Then there is the woman (at least my brain thinks she is a woman) in the background - very much apart from him, full of emotion that we cannot discern from our distance - but there she crouches, almost out of sight and tucked away - apart, but utterly integral to the image. Your toning is magnificent - efficient and elegant in its rendition of light and shadow.

Critical stuff: No.

Overall: Exceptional image - gallery quality. No doubt.

morning run
by bspurgeon

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: Lovely movement here - I really like it's radial component - like you were spinning as she ran around you. Excellent contrast choice works really well to bring out the texture of the running surface and the deep shadow is magnificent. The crop/framing is sublime - the small part of her hair adds much.

Critical stuff: Nope.

Overall: Lovely dynamic stuff.

To the light
by Melethia

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: Wow - how Nixtery! Quite marvellous use of blur but what is most striking here is the coloration with its subdued reds and greens. I really enjoy the sense of depth you have communicated here and how the light persists from front to back, even in the darker areas. The of course, there is the figure - or is it two? Though to me, I get a sense of suitcase before child.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Quite wonderful. 10 and a favourite.