train
by whiteroom

Comment:
Nah ... no good at all. Our trains are much more impressive than this. And we have big pictures of Ricky Ponting on the side. Our fog's better, too ... more mysterious.

Pediophobia - Fear of Dolls
by Shan2112

Comment:
Hello Shannon ... Critique Club calling ...
What I like most about this excellent image is that you managed to suggest considerable malevolence while actually showing us nothing but a benign, innocent looking doll. What you did NOT do is resort to the primitive by using "evil" make-up or props (or even worse, using the Chucky doll proposed by a couple of commentators, poor souls). Your choice was clever not only because it is subtle, but also because it demonstrates an understanding of the particular phobia you were depicting. The sufferers are inexplicably afraid of sweet, harmless dolls, and that's what's most interesting about this particular affliction. Everyone's afraid of Chucky; there's nothing phobic about that! So, it's a terrific idea, which is three quarters of the battle right there.
The rest is execution, and you didn't let yourself down in that respect either. The technical aspects of the image are very good, and the choices in both composition and processing are sensitive to your objective. Even the slightly disorienting background you were worried about contributes to the "disturbing" feel you were after.
So, a very fine entry that deserved its high placing, and could well have scored higher had it not been for the "Chucky" vote.
Cheers,
Paul Martin

Serpentine
by Tammer

Comment:
Very nice. But wait - there's a twig on the snake's head - you should have reached over there and just gently plucked it off with your fingers. Simple, really. On the other hand, you could be like me and just leave it alone. On a serious note, I do very much like the fact that you have chosen a natural subject with a pattern, especially as there are two interesting patterns involved (scales and body form - such a clever title, too). 7.

Architectural Repetition
by Gatorguy

Comment:
Why's it agricultural? It looks more like a rural road bridge. Nevertheless, it's an interesting image of an "accidental" pattern, and one that would not be as effective seen from any other angle or position. And that's the interpretation of the challenge I prefer - finding unexpected patterns hidden in everyday objects. 7.

Ain't No Sunshine
by babylon

Comment:
I must have been sleeping all last April to have missed this brilliant photograph. I've just looked; the three ribbon winners in that challenge were all terrific images, but I would have voted this one ahead even of those. It's a beautiful work.

trees and fog
by dragonlady

Comment:
I like this one better (i.e. without Lady Arwen and her white charger). The layered effect, enhanced by the gradient-like impact of the fog, is especially interesting. It's one of those images that rewards a few moments' consideration; it becomes more evocative the longer one looks!

Let it Snow
by messerschmitt

Comment:
Terrific self-portrait. Aside from the clever composition and processing, it has a very appealing editorial (or do I mean autobiographical?) dimension; it tells us something interesting (and funny) about your subject.

writhing
by dunnewold

Comment:

Originally posted by ubique: ... Hope it doesn't get overlooked in favour of the merely pretty. 8.

Surprise: it did.

Hanging on
by philup

Comment:
An elegant idea, effectively executed. The depth of field nicely isolates the subject, but there's also something appealing about the inverted fan shape of the out-of-focus background material. 7.

Dreaming of the Edge of the World
by Firsty

Comment:

Originally posted by bear_music: This shot, IMO, is vastly superior to the "planned" shot in every way. Were I voting on the one in your cooments, I'd give it 2 points lower. The cropping on this one is very tense & strange, the pool itself is otherwordly in a way that would not be possible if you showed it in its entirety and in context. Congrats on your red!

I agree. This is superior because of the tension bear identified. As a result, one cannot simply pass by; it demands some involvement from the viewer. Great image, Keith!