Red Sea
by jenarom

Comment:
Nice texture shot, monochrome look is less common in this challenge...

Yuck, this isn't Dandy!
by Sonifo

Comment:
This might have been the only challenge where firing the flash to intentionally get the red-eye effect would have worked...

Primary Friends
by sagestudio

Comment:
These days it shouldn't have been too hard to find a kid with blue hair! You have the rest of it covered...

Divinity
by magnus

Comment:
Not to take anything away from this image, but I don't think the "skewing" you mention in your notes is allowed by normal DPC editing rules.

Intrigue
by Diversq

Comment:
I've posted some roughly executed variations in this portfolio gallery.

Intrigue
by Diversq

Comment:

Originally posted by brentg3: I like: The bright colors Fore and mid ground seems punchy good clear subjects Stuff I don't like: backgound is a bit busy red stairs distracts eye cropping is a bit tight overall microphones messy I dont seem to get a clear idea of what you are trying to say here with this shot? I would like to see the background blurred either with DOF (preferably) or in post processing..

I think the intended feeling is of a little kid enraptured by what is "obviously" exotic (to her locale) music and musicians. But without reading the photographer's comments it's hard to get that feeling -- and the business of the background makes it look like a candid snapshot of an ethereal moment quickly captured.
I actually like the musician peering down between the mic stands to look at the kid; I think it helps convey the impression this is more than a momentary tableau.
I have two suggestions to help emphasize these aspects. I'd change the title to something a little more direct and hopefully recognizable or triggering thoughts of another title; my "best" idea so far is "Fascinatin' Rhythm."
Since the upper right corner is busy, and the lower left empty, I'd create two triangular masks in the corners, and either ghost back (fade) the image in those areas, or fill them with a border color and add explanatory type in those areas (still thinking Postcards), leaving the main subject in a highlighted diagonal stripe.
I'll make up rough examples later if you want...

Witch - Craft
by Beetle

Comment:
I like the idea a lot. I agree moving her a bit to the left would let you exclude all of the roof. Since this is traditionally a night scene I think I'd have darkened everything up even more, while trying to retain a bit of detail in her robes. (I'll have to try this to see if it's even possible.)

I read somewhere that, despite the Hallowe'en cliche image, the broom was ridden with the bristles facing forward...but then you would have gotten a zillion comments about that!
With as much fun as it looks like you had, and people's comments, you might consider re-shooting this...

Black and White
by Jean

Comment:
Just to be safe I'd use some bubble gum or something on the right sides of the bases...nice concept, setup.

Looking trough glass, the world changes...
by melissarts

Comment:
You chose a good piece of glass to achieve this effect. I thought of something similar to this, but not with a bottle...well done.

Sea Beads
by ScottK

Comment:
I think I'd crop in to lose all the background in the upper corners, or fill that part with coarse sand. Might have tried to saturate the colors a little more, but overall a nice bead assortment.