Midnight Beauty
by Nikonian Ninja

Comment:
Gorgeous. I'll be interested to read how you kept the lights from blowing out completely.

Begonia Basket
by skewsme

Comment:
Looks like a water-color painting! Very nice.

Anatomy of a Golfer
by NstiG8tr

Comment:
I really wish I could figure out how this was done.

No Evil
by LN13

Comment:
Well done! I had a similar idea but failed to follow through. Just as well, as your photo is better than I would have done.

Life source
by Rino63

Comment:
I have the feeling that this is a really cool picture that I am rating too low - but I just can't quite figure out what I'm seeing!

Beautiful Iris
by sarnewfie

Comment:
Technically, this is a wonderful shot. Focus on the flower is crisp, good use of DOF keeps background soft. Lighting and colors are wonderful. I think you could improve the quality of the shot by putting the flower in context or introducing another element of interest. A bee or ladybug is good. Having a child holding or smelling the flower would add interest. Something that says more than just "close up of flower."

I would guess that in a challenge this would not score high because of the choice of subject. I can only speak for myself, but I am not an expert on flowers, and close-up shots of flowers just don't do much for me, even when technically superb. This particular flower looks "droopy" to me and is therefore not appealing, even though it may be a wonderful example of the species. Is "species" the right word for flowers? I tend to have the same reaction to photos of bugs and pet cats. This is not meant as negative commentary on the photo, just trying to give insight as a voter (I suspect I'm not alone).

That said, a lot of folks love the flower shots, and this shot demonstrates genuine skill as a photographer.

Framed in sandstone
by arpita

Comment:
WOW! Look at those amazing colors!

Foot prints in the sand
by avb

Comment:
Footprints framing ... what? Or footprints framed by .... ?

well...
by charliebaker

Comment:
Is this a well? Or a patch of blue sky with a border aded later? Seems like the latter to me, which is disappointing.

grain
by blacjack

Comment:
This is hard to grade. Great shot of this grain. Crisp, good colors. But I don't see that the grain is being framed.