and yet still life
by tate

Comment:
Lovely still life, these various blacks and attendant highlights. Other than these, the vacancy of colors allows the forms and tonal nuances to come forward to be thoughtfully appreciated. It's a wonderful take, shyness set aside. A true evocation of black. My only quibble is that the composition feels a bit self-conscious in the manner of heaping up. But still a remarkable showcase.
Personal favorite of the challenge.

Three Squares and a Tree
by nam

Comment:
C'mon, this is fabulous. This admonition certainly applies to me, too. Great composition. Lovely tree, with some branches catching the sun. The blues, of course --- set one vibrating in pleasure, you have to feel it. A surprise that never fails to delight.

Brought to Light
by posthumous

Comment:
Gave this a 7, now believe I underrated it. You're right, can't be improved.

Don’t look back
by Neat

Comment:
Somehow, my fault, the entire comment got washed away. Sorry.
I found this striking image to be powerful, mysterious and very artistic. Fine composition. Works well in sepia (I think). Did I mention powerful? And beautiful.
One of four(!) personal second favorites of the challenge.

Morning Light
by Yo_Spiff

Comment:
Here we are shown the sweetness of, as titled, morning light. Those reds into orange are a crescendo filling our hearts for the day commencing. Collaborates joyfully with the blossoming blue sky. Graphically strong, seemingly simple, but with a webbing of rivets, shadows and metal that draw us more deeply in. Glorious.
One of four(!) second favorites of the challenge.

nine dragons peninsula
by Tiberius

Comment:
The East of imagination and dream, but so absolutely present, which is perfect. The softness of this image, its delicacy, the recession of planes is arresting. It's suffused with saffron, calling to awaken to original nature. Moving.
One of four(!) second favorites of the challenge.

Winter Abstraction
by markwiley

Comment:
Rhythmic and exciting. Triangular geometry on the left, almost fractal on the right, and they seem to stitch together nicely. The ice is very interesting, breaking up, floating off for a bit, then ingathering anew. Each piece of ice has its own pattern of white and light gray-blue. Fronted by a stolid audience of trees. And those lines of eyes, I mean floats, looking up at us. There's a sense of cold mindlessness, but serenely so. Absolutely artfully seen and crisply presented.
One of four(!) second favorites of the challenge.

Perched
by roz

Comment:
Seems hyper-realistic, knowing that this fly is down to earth, loving how the legs and wings fade to whispers, the articulation of the parts refined through millions of years. The blade of grass, the path unknown. A strong composition. Not sure what's going on in the background, but it's interesting and I think it works. Because it's solitary it demands due attention. How wonderful that it's in black and white.
Personal favorite of the challenge.

Oh, Dismal Day!
by Bear_Music

Comment:
This image does merit more than the 6 I gave it. It slides easily and becomingly into the abstract. As for its intended take on the challenge, the raindrops all across the window feel like a dissolution of the weather, etc.. I also like the title take on the song, "Oh Happy Day."

here comes the rain again
by skewsme

Comment:
Love the focus here, sharp on the incidental tree branches and blurred elsewhere. It deeply conveys the unsettling atmosphere, the uncertainty, the dissolution of sunshine and blue, calm skies. Is the rain already falling, it's ambiguous. It's confusing and a bit disorienting. So rightly and elegantly expressed. The palette helps to experience the mood. Very fine.
One of three personal favorites of the challenge.