Focus
by katlyn

Comment:
An o.k. idea for this challenge: in focus/out of focus, in front of/behind, shadowed/lit... The graininess, intentional or not, adds a painterly feel to the photo. The cropping is lovely, showing just enough of each flower--there is strong patterning there and yet it doesn't feel cut off. Overall, a picture to be proud of!

In & Out
by JoelHSmith

Comment:
Nice idea for this challenge, a near perfect find. The lighting on the subject seems to ahve presented its own challenges, it would have been nice if the "out" sign had similar highlights to the "in" sign to make it less flat. Overall, a good picture.

Featherweight
by boomer

Comment:
Funny pun! And a nice idea for this challenge! I like the lighting, it really brings out the texture and detail in the subjects. I think I might have puzzled over the dumbell if it weren't for the title--perhaps a little less feather would help. I bet you could do without that purple one altogether--the line of the quill seems to interrupt the composition. Overall, a good pic. (Pun intended.)

Soft as a Feather - Hard as a Rock
by Sammie

Comment:
A great idea for this challenge! The ant brings a bit of "life" to the subjects. Perhaps that one horizontal blade of grass could have been moved as it seems to disrupt an otherwise nice composition. I like your choice of depth of field--the rock seems to fade away at just the right point and the texture in both the feathers and rock are clear. Overall, a fine picture.

Building Up, Running Down
by 'Pong

Comment:
Good idea for this challenge! Your arrangement of the two subjects splits the screen in half helping to make your point of the opposing forces going on: new/old, clean/dirty, sterile/overgrown, building/disintegrating... Greater depth of field would bring that tower into the picture just a bit more. And, perhaps, getting in closer (if possible) would better frame the tower shown through the window. Overall, a fine picture.

Country Town Originality
by sleekr

Comment:
Very funny and a nice idea for this challenge! I like that the light falls brightly on the "Main Rd" sign and dimly on the "Side St." The angle is interesting--just showing tree and sky in the background really focuses attention on the subject. There is a little pixelation on the signs and the tree -- probably just an artifact of compression to meet the challenge requirements. Overall, very nice.

full / empty
by redmoon

Comment:
Nice idea for this challenge! I like the roundness of the shapes and the round light behind. (There is some digital artifact on the background, though.) I think you might have been able to convey the concept better (say, in the absence of a title) by not filling the one glass all the way to the top--I think with a little gap it would still be "full." I mention that because at first glance it appeared to be just a differently colored glass. Overall, very nice. Good lighting, well composed, warm tones....

Not Enough Shes for the Hes
by jbeazell

Comment:
Lovely subject! What works here: The shadow on the right is heavy on the overall composition, but it's rescued somewhat by the light on the fly in the upper right corner. The well focused fly in the center keeps me from being too distracted by the motion blur of the one near to the right. I have no suggestions for improvement--you chose a difficult subject and made a very nice image of it!

Big and Small
by Drake

Comment:
Pretty photo. Like your opposites: big/small, new/old, baby/adult. Possible improvements: The cropping on the left appears to be trying to eliminate another chick, think you could bring it in closer--as is, it just feels like the tail is missing. The water droplet from the swan's beak seems to detract--try to shoot as many frames as possible on location as it's difficult to anticipate the little imperfections. Try to capture the light in the eye of animals--it just makes them seem more real and alive. Overall, nice picture--great color, texture, contrast. Lucky you to be so near such beauty!

Coming and Going
by candycorn

Comment:
Good idea for opposites...man/woman, leisure/dressy, big/small. Possible improvements: re-orient the tongue of the boot so the label doesn't show, try a background with more interest/texture, vary the relationship of the shoes to each other to take advantage of negative space.