Jus' Watching
by karmat

Comment:
A terrific capture - nicely composed and very true to the second stringer's atheletic careers. Well done.

Spoiled
by peter

Comment:
I like this - can't really explain why, but it intrigues me. Very different look at the subject matter.

Bored versus Boring
by Ammie

Comment:
A lovely portrait. Not exactly sure how it fits the criteria, but it's still engaging. Well done.

A Place to Rest
by androgeus

Comment:
A terrific demonstration of perfect composition from the light orange background, the ever so slightly contrasting stalk and the beautifully detailed butterfly - this is why the time taken to compose and capture is so very important. Solid WOW factor - by rights a top ten image.

The Painter and His Dog
by CEJ

Comment:
This is a wonderful capture - very natural and unposed. The monotone effect is a huge plus and gives this image a sense of time and place long past. If there was one nitpick, it would be the rock in the foreground - I might have cropped the rock out and just gone with the dog and painter - the foreground rock doesn't really do anything for the image other than lengthen it and in this case, while it doesn't detract too much, it's really not necessary to complete the image. Well done.

SMILE ; ) . . .
by soon

Comment:
The exceptional detail and extraordinary detail in this image is terrific. It's a very different look at the natural world - the image shows the innate intelligence and curiosity of this special critter. No major issues to speak of although I might have preferred a more uniform background - the light/dark contrast is a little strong. That however may not have been possible. Very good capture and a good entry into the challenge.

Dreamy
by smurfguy

Comment:
Wide eyed innocence - a beautiful portrait. There is something timeless about inner beauty and what a way to demonstrate that - this is simply a perfect image. Congratulations to the author for making that "perfect" capture. By rights, this should win the blue ribbon. Wonderful.

The Pestilence of Horseflies
by lynnesite

Comment:
Darn flies ruin a perfectly good photograph. :>) Humor is always appreciated and this is pretty funny. Nice capture. With the sole exception of the fly, this is a gorgeous equine image - very impressive. High marks for everything - well done.

Llandudno
by JamesA

Comment:
I love the countryside in Wales - there's just something peaceful and very calming about images from that part of England. This is a very good casual image with a lot to recommend it - the sweeping space, the graduation of the hill across the image, the natural and interesting subject - the whole image comes together and imparts a sense of gentle times and places. No major technical issues and it's artistic impression is terrific. Well done.

Summer Days
by Jdroullard

Comment:
Oh gosh - I love red heads. I married a red head. Red heads are the best and most beautiful women in the world. Unfortunately, that's also the problem - red heads have alabaster skin tones and this creates a number of technical issues that you have to deal with - in particular with strong colored backgrounds - and their skin is so thin and light that you can almost see through it - good example on the subjects right arm at the AC joint - see the veins there? You don't normally see that. Then there's the background problem - the red bleeds through on the left arm and across the top of the sun dress on the subject's chest. You can tell it's red bleed through if you compare the blue sun dress - there is no addiitonal color cast, but the strong reds are very evident. Still, this is a very good image and portrait of a beautiful woman and the author should be congratulated on capturing a perfect pose - this subject is obviously very comfortable with her natural beauty, grace and charm and the author captured it completely. Technical issues are technical issues - there is an esthetic sense here that over comes the nitpicking in fine fashion - a favorite of mine so far.