Peeling Blue
by paynekj

Comment:
The background works just fine in my opinion. It supports the technical element introduced by the steel looking sharpener. I get the feeling that the pencil is being sharpened to perform and important function. No frills, just down to business.
The blue adds a touch of whimsie...a surprising bit of color. Of course the blue is essential to the challenge, but the way you incorporated it minimally works very well.
The pencil shaving is perfectly shaped. It lends a curve to the composition and is nicely placed well out of the center. The diagonal like leads right to that little bit of blue.
Two things I'd like to point out that may be improved upon. First is that I'd like to see this a little lighter. That could easily be improved in post-processing. The other thing is the couple of flecks of debris from the pencil. They are a minor distraction, but they do take away from the quality of the image.
OVerall, this is a fine picture. I love the simplicity of it and your execution is good.

Christmas Time Is Here
by jenarom

Comment:
Beautifully simple. Love it!

Morning Shadow
by tjuneau13

Comment:
I like this except for the object in the lower left. It's distracting. Colors are great!

Spaghetti
by Jacko

Comment:
I like it very much. I love abstract photography to begin with. Everything looks good here, exposure, focus, composition. Definetly one of my faves!

November Spawn
by kandyj

Comment:
I love nature shots and this one definetly documents an event. The lighting is excellent and the split second capture is perfect. I wonder how a different crop would be. I'm not sure I like the little bit of land showing above. I took the liberty of editing a copy in PS to illustrate what I am talking about. If you'd like to see it feel free to email me. I do realize my opinion is just that...only an opinion.
All in all I really like this very much and am scoring high. 8 Good luck in the challenge. Grayce

North Hatley Fog
by mariomel

Comment:
Very nice picture, and yes mysterious looking. I love the stillness, and the color. Quality looks good too...no artifacts, etc, that I can see. It seems to me there is a structure to the right just above the pier. I can't make out what it is, which makes it more intriguing. Good job! Hope to see this on a magazine cover! 8 Grayce

A City United: Public Transportation Success Story
by magnetic9999

Comment:
My first impression when I saw this image is that it is cropped a little too tight. I'd like to see some head-room above the subjects. Aside from that the composition is good, including just enough background. Looking beyond that I see two beautiful teenaged faces, and a kid peeking over. The faces are a pleasant subject and you successfully managed to expose different skintones beautifully. . That is a difficult thing to do...good job! The dark skinned young man is partially shaded due to his visor and hood, but that works just fine.
Post-processing worked out ok. I think it was a wise choice to remove the grain. I should have done that with mine.
Overall it's a good picture, and would fit in the newspaper.
Grayce

Remembrance
by stephan

Comment:
Well captured and I'm sure it was a touching moment. The perspective is very good, and having the young lady in the corner works well.

Rememberance
by JamieWillmott

Comment:
I know by the title what it is but the picture doesn't clearly depict the subject. IF you changed to a vertical perhaps more of the monument (?) could be seen to help clarify the subject. Grayce

Picket Line!
by catpixel

Comment:
Great coverage, a real live event, and even got a plug in for the website. It really is too bad a head got partially cut off. If you'd have tilted slightly upward it would have been avoided. Definetly a newsworthy event. Good luck in the challenge. Grayce aka Gracious