Happy New Year, Me!
by h2

Comment:
I scored this higher then some of the other straight portraits. I feel there is something extra with this image the others didn't have. Sure it has fantastic clarity and lighting. The muted colours work well here. But perhaps the models personification of character through the lens makes this piece stand apart from the others.

Screaming Eagle
by rseeley

Comment:
I wish for this image to not have so much smoothness as well as white space. A closer tighter crop with more clarity of the feathers and dramatic appeal the natural texture would give.

Kids' meal
by redpanda

Comment:
I enjoy the clarity of the critter as well as the smoothness of it's meal. It contrasts nicely against the background while still connecting with it. Though with the focal range as such it appears not real. Still nicely captured.

A cute little ladybug.
by rrdjserv

Comment:
I would guess this little fella has seen the end of days. The sharp hot-spot center head is distracting but otherwise it is a nice simple delicate macro.

Dirt Rider
by MichaelC

Comment:
I enjoy the added depth of character here as well as the muted colours. It really creates a strong sense of personality to the portrait.

From Russia With Love
by zaflabout

Comment:
One of the more enjoyable straight portraits of the challenge. The contrast of the models skin against her eyes, hat and jacket add a nice element to the neutral background.

Cobweb Galaxy
by FrankRobinson

Comment:
Fantastic find/creation. Though having seen many of these before it did not draw as much interest as it may to someone else. Still scoring above average for the clarity and detail of the piece.

be like the water young grasshopper
by roz

Comment:
This is a fun little macro. The colours are great and the water is fun. Though there is the smokey feel on his head/body which distracts me a bit.

When I Were King
by MAK

Comment:
Very interesting style of editing you used. The emphasis of the hairs adds an element for me which leaves me on the fence. It makes it appear drawn or created rather then captured. Though still I scored higher because of the closeness and clarity of the image with well balanced colour.

Alchemist's Sky
by Dr.Confuser

Comment:
I normally would not score this style of image higher then average. The 'dreamy' blurred items of the docks and land create a huge distraction for me. However this image did get higher then average because of the dramatic appeal of the sky and colours as well as the horizon line and water reflection.