Heart of the Hibiscus (Branching Corolla)
by Schuff

Comment:
Great red! Too bad about the blown pistil. Even worse about the shadow from what I guess is the camera in the lower right corner.

Title brought the pic into the challenge theme.

Antlers
by Sammie

Comment:
This is a really good picture because of the colours, and the detail in the eye.

My only complaints are:

the pose (the head is down at such an angle as to create an awkward line on the neck to the forelegs. Also, the eye appears defocused and disinterested.

Slight overexposure and blowing of highlights on the antler tips.

Slight bit of a stretch to fit antlers into a branch challenge. Close enough though. I feel that when the visual link to the challenge, the title should be used to make up for it. Antlers are clearly antlers and not branches.

Otherwise, far better than I will ever do. Keep it up. I would guess that if you shot something this good, there's probably some that were better that were not available to be posted in such a public forum.

The Branch Hotel . . . . available by the hour.
by glad2badad

Comment:
Heh. More explicit pictures... what would my mother say?

On second thoughts, I don't think I care. What would I say? WOW nice DOF! You have the texture of their bodies down so well, I can feel the smoothness just by looking at them. The colours rock too.

Stunning. 10.

Thought Overgrowth
by cycomerlin14

Comment:
Apparently this is a picture on the broader definitions of branch. Technically, the focus is short, bringing out detail in the hair. Try manual focus? or focus lock and either focus bracket or move in and out a bit. I like the colour tone.

It is an interesting picture to me because I am trying to find my "inner toy model" for my own shots, but I honestly can't quite grasp the connection to branch. Thoughts branching out? Where is the branching? Looks more like an explosion.

Branching Out!
by cmstys

Comment:
Focus point is a little bit too close. There appears to be a bit of a bright haziness to the tops of the bugs. Direct sunlight? Cool procession though.

Creepy Curvy Knarled and Knotted
by space amoeba

Comment:
Great feel for the picture. DOF is a bit low, but that gives a feeling of depth. There appears to be a rainspot in the middle of the shot. I don't think it takes away from the picture because it isn't a print and it's basic editing, but make sure you clean your lens before the next time you go shooting :). I like that the sky matches the mood perfectly, with just a little lumpiness.

once upon a time
by haylees

Comment:
Soft and gentle. Very nice. very well done with the composition on the reflections up and down.

To Everything There Is A Season...
by rjkstesch

Comment:
Nice twist. I like the green contrasting with the bleached wood. It might look better with cleaner plants, but only to some. For me, I like the natural look.

I felt this was a better picture technically than it was aesthetically.

Break Free
by elsapo

Comment:
Great picture!!! Congratzes.

BTW, the best way to deal with golfers is to unplug their golf carts and break into a loose jog. Most golfers are anti-activity (which is the heart of the game), so won't be able to keep up.

Love the colors!

Journey Through Middle-earth
by Joey Lawrence

Comment:
For what it's worth, regarding your choice of leaves, you were rather spot on. I am something of a LOTR geek and I will tell you that the stories were written to mirror the British Isles. These islands are loaded with old, final growth deciduous forests. It is said that unless there are factors that are extremely inhospitable to deciduous trees, they will be replaced within a few hundred years by deciduous trees which are a more sustainable type of tree. I can't vouch for the reliability of that statement, I learned it in grade 6 social studies in Canada. The fact that Britain is loaded with deciduous forests and has quite a mild climate would indicate that your choice of leaves is very good indeed.

Rock on Joey!

I would have tried to soften the light on the foreground leaves just a hair. I don't mind them photographically, but thematically, I think they conflict a bit with the mood of the fog lighting.

Hope it's helpful!