Canterbury Plains Vista
by Simonjw

Comment:
I've seen the Canterbury Plains many times, but not quite from this superb viewpoint. It's a very fine and thoughtful landscape photograph, because it beautifully captures the odd juxtaposition that exists there of wild, scree-covered alpine slopes and bucolic, ordered pastoral plains. And the balance you've chosen between those two worlds is exactly right ... you've included just enough of each. Finally, the centred horizon and the resultant sky vista is perfect, too. This image works like a good cocktail ... it tastes better than any of its ingredients alone, and it leaves me wanting another one! 8.

wintry walk
by xtine

Comment:
Beautiful example of sympathetic use of processing to enhance the qualities of the image that were already there. The reflections of the walkers makes the centred "horizon" perfect. Nice work. 8.

Inspired
by whiteroom

Comment:
This is wonderful. It is the most artistically complex and sophisticated image in the challenge, and certainly among the most interesting, too. The scene appears candid, in the sense that nothing was staged for the shot, but the composition and the ordering of elements (including the light) within the photograph is meticulous and masterly. These are the photographs I love: cerebral, beautiful, complex and demanding, but also apparently effortless ... I can recognise 'em when I see 'em, but I just can't take 'em myself! Maybe in 2006? 10.

Harley fan
by GinaRothfels

Comment:
"Best Portrait in Challenge" prize from me. Wonderful subject, and beautifully executed photograph. I'm no expert on this subject, but I believe that the tonal control here is masterful. As I look at it, I can see all the nearly-suppressed detail in the hair and background, but if I tilt my monitor a little then all that detail is swallowed up, and the character of the portrait changes astonishingly. I actually prefer this second, more minimalist version, but either way it's a terrific work. 8.

Charging...
by Elmakias

Comment:
Terrific photograph. A wonderful illustration of how the simplest ideas can be the strongest. Especially when they are executed with this level of confidence. 9.

Tricks
by Pixelstate

Comment:
Really terrific image. Everything that is the picture is there, everything that's not is not. 9.

Memories of Summer
by jimmythefish

Comment:
Best B&W in the challenge, no question. Meticulous in every detail, from composition to processing. It's a beautiful, evocative tribute to summer holidays. It has a pure, even distilled look to it ... a lovely work. 9.

Loneliness
by Painiel

Comment:
A thoughtful photograph that challenges the viewer. The imagery is absolutely brilliant ... unambiguous, but nevertheless leaving some work for the viewer's imagination (so good to be permitted to be a participant in the work, rather than just a spectator). It would be easy to have slipped into self-indulgence with this theme (especially as the photographer is probably a younger person), but you have avoided that. It's a mature and intelligent image. 10.

Poster Girl
by mrmorris

Comment:
Sensational street photograph. It has the combination of wit and whimsy that characterises the very best examples of that genre. The contribution of every element (the poster, the girl, the guy, and the trio at right) is so perfect that it's hard to believe it wasn't staged ... but I'm sure it wasn't. It's also technically excellent, not that that matters a damn in this case. Anyone who cannot get at least a couple of minutes of entertainment and stimulation from this is brain dead. 10.

Moth in the Window
by stare_at_the_sun

Comment:
Without question the best photograph of an insect I've seen at DPC. Instead of the usual tedious entomological super-detail, it actually says something about the moth. It's also a very beautiful, artistic image. 9.