Like a llama...or an Emu
by Pedro

Comment:
A perfect example of a well framed shot. Congratulations on the technically perfect capture/edit. Comp, focus, DOF, lighting, color, levels ... all virtually perfect. Plus, the subject makes me smile. Thanks. (9)

mist
by ursula

Comment:
Frankly this is not the traditional framing I had expected, but effective at highlighting the misty/foggy/cloudy sky. In the end, it is a beautiful capture and one of the best photos in this week's challenge. (9)

Sun Break
by Zoomdak

Comment:
Absolutely beautiful. I can "see" the wind. I can "feel" the sound of the surf. I can "smell" the light on the water. You have done a fantastic job of appealing to all the senses. (10)

Framed...
by akhater

Comment:
Maybe it's my monitor but this is really to dark to see on my screen.

Hope for life...
by jonwam

Comment:
I could have scored this higher if the DOF was deeper, and the comp a bit less dead center (really the only two technical issues I am bothered by).

The tie in to the theme seems weak to me. I brought the score down anothe point or two because of that.

Hope to do better than Mt. Rushmore
by caba

Comment:
I like a lot of things about this ... the dramatic sky, the contrast with the snow and the rocks, the layered comp, the clear focus and appropriate DOF. If the tie in to the theme were more clear to me, I could have scored it a few points higher.

FAITH
by SDW

Comment:
Nicely focused. Well lighted. Good composition.

I see two weaknesses which detract from the photo. 1) The upper right has a background that is colored and textured in a way that is distracting. Since this is a set up shot, I would suggest a background that is more subtle. 2) And you could correct this one with a different crop ... I find the litle dark triangle of background in the lower left distracting.

While I can find the word "hoped" in the photo, the tie in to the theme "hope" feels tenuous to me.

Hope in the Horizon of a New Land
by banmorn

Comment:
"Literal photographic representations of the entirety of existing works of art (including your own) are not considered acceptable submissions, however creative depictions or interpretations are permissible. This includes, but is not limited to paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and computer artwork.
"

I didn't request a DQ because I am not sure this is the entirity of the sculpture. But if you are going to photograph an art work, i would be careful to have something about the photo that "interprets" it. Some context. Something added. That way you won't risk DQ.

Determined to succeed
by Heavy

Comment:
Good action shot, precisely timed and well focused. Part of the impact of the photo is lost because the dog blends into the background to a great degree. I almost missed the dog in a quick preview.

Also, I find the link to the theme a bit weak.

The Hope of a Nation
by rayg544

Comment:
I am not sure I feel a strong tie in to the theme here. Well focused but centered comp isn't as interesting to me as other choices might have been. In todays political environment, and with the international audience of DPC, this may have been a risky choice of subjects for the theme "hope."