Hassayampa
by Postgate1

Comment:
Facinating group of trees! Their leaning really makes the photo for me. To be perfectly honest, it's hard for me as a viewer to really connect with dead trees, but the leaning really keep my attention. Maybe better in black and white to really drive the point home for this challenge though?

jane
by shoelessaj

Comment:
Well done with the cold blue cast, really sets the tone. As hard as it is to really connect with a foot, i find this images curiously alluring. Just watch out for those blown out highlights int he background, they're kind of distracting.

Departure
by Rebecca

Comment:
Very imaginative and nicely captured. I must admit, at first glance, the soft focus was a bit of a turn-off, but once I noticed the 'spirit' rising from the body, it worked. It added to the dreaminess and mysticism of the image. Tough shot to make with basic editing rules but I think you've faired quite well! 8o)

Death mask
by nico_blue

Comment:
Great lighting, very Shakespearian! I like the arms coming out of darkness and clenching the skull. I think this represents the challenge well and you've captured it well.

The Cost and the Symbol of Eternal Life
by emayner

Comment:
The composition is very interesting and I really like how the sillohettes form a natural frame for the subject. It's very geomtric and simple/clean and technically works quite well. I wish there were a bit more light on the steeple and cross, it feels slightly flat and under-exposed. I think that would have also kicked up the mood and impact of the image a notch. Well done! 8o)

Winter's Web
by Emerkaza

Comment:
This is my second time hitting this image and it's just as impactful the second time! The branches are beautifully chaotic and I like to look at this as a visual representation of life! There is so much to read into here for such a simple image. It helps that it's impeccably processed too. I really hope this is doing well despite it's non-literal interpretation of the challenge. 9 from me! 8o)

It was the Salmon Mousse....
by skewsme

Comment:
This says death alright! Can't say much for the ultra contrasty processing, personally. I think it loses a lot photography's inherent "feeling" when it becomes an illustratrative image.

Eternal Oblivion
by David1411

Comment:
I love how this is so raw and grungy looking! The image has a definite feel that works well for this challenge. I like how the focus is selective and just at the belt. It probably could have even used an even shallower dof. The body on the side of the image is very distracting to me however and pulls my eye off the subject and out of the picture. I think all that's needed really is part of the arm with the belt around it, the spoon, lighter and syringe, and the subtle blood stains and bruises on the arm. Other than that, this is one of my favorites. Well done! 8o)

The old graves
by buzzy

Comment:
I like the idea here, but I think there are too many background distractions that don't add anything to the subject, which is really interesting and unique. The Old Graves are really what I want to see with the aged moss and dead leaves covering them. A tighter crop would make this a much stronger image IMO.

Bloody Skull
by CyMaN

Comment:
The colors are certainly compelling as are the horns, but they almost blend in a bit too much. The skull is the main subject and that works well. But to me, the lighting if fairly flat and doesn't offer much as far as setting the mood. Still a compelling shot though!