Old Man
by arindam_thokder

Comment:
Great face. Interesting that his positioning, facing out of the frame but looking back into it, seems to make the portrait at once more candid and more dignified than would have any of the alternative 'conventional' compositions. By that I mean that he appears to be exerting some control over the image; he's more than just a photogenic prop - he's a participant in the photograph (it's not all about the photographer). Maybe it also helps to connect him a little better and more convincingly with his environment, too. Very nice! 9.

Extinguishers
by Falc

Comment:
My first choice in this challenge, and my only 10.
It's one of those rare photographs that is all the more interesting because of what is NOT in it. No people, no props to suggest a context; it makes a lovely puzzle ... what is this place? Probably a public building. Not government, but not commercial either. Maybe an old theatre? The neglected state of the building and of the fire buckets themselves is nicely complemented by the quirky, asymmetrical composition of the photograph, and by the sympathetic processing. It's a photograph as unpretentious as its subject, yet it nevertheless manages to attain great charm and interest. Thoughtful, original and challenging, and relentlessly "anti-DPC" as well - can't ask for more than that!

Distant Gleam
by bbright

Comment:
Very nice photograph. I imagine the base image was already good, but the processing is outstanding. It has the evocative qualities more often associated with painting, and gives the viewer a great sense of location and atmosphere. 9.

Window, Ballintubber Abbey
by aznym

Comment:
What a very interesting and effective way to photograph a beautiful stained glass window! A large part of the impact of this window is the effect of its light inside the lovely mitred window surround. By tilting the image near enough to 45 degrees, you have not only managed to more easily fit it all in, but have also made it possible for the viewer to better appreciate the window in the context of its surrounding structure. Very clever, thoughtful photography. 9.

Anchor for our faith?
by JohannesFrank

Comment:
Heavily-laboured title, but I like the photograph. Very appealing and interesting shapes, tones and textures. It does have a very complete, 'connected' feel to it, so maybe the title was irresistible after all? 8.

Spent
by CalliopeKel

Comment:
Sometimes a collection of objects can have a profound meaning, and sometimes it's just a random collection of stuff. I'm not sure which one this is. Either way, I like the light, and the fact that you aren't afraid to let the highlights blow out a bit to get the effect you wanted. 7.

Curves of the Time
by bcoble

Comment:
This is nice; it's a photograph about the telephone, and not just a picture of a telephone. So much more interesting! 7.

nothing
by frumoaznicul

Comment:
I nearly blew right by this, which would have been a mistake. It's a terrific, meticulous photograph of ... well, you said it: nothing! And what a welcome change that is, amid so much leaden cliché. I seldom have much interest in technical matters, but the tonal control here is really very nice; it gives the scene a lovely depth and atmosphere. And the apparent chaos is actually very cleverly and confidently resolved by a few leading lines, shapes and tones: looks random, but it ain't! It's a photograph with a lot more to offer than first appears. 9.

Grandma's kitchen
by kiwiness

Comment:
This has great charm. The light and the subdued palette create an atmosphere of familiarity and gentle age. 7.

Glory's Remains
by chipuc

Comment:
This is very good, and made all the better by the wildly askew and shabby wooden shutters ... even the 'new' additions are old! Also pleasing that the man (the bust) apparently disapproves of the state of those shutters. 8.