Backstage
by BernieBl

Comment:
I assume you wanted it that dim, but in my opinion, that detracts from the photo. It's an interesting arrangement, though, with some depth, which is better than just laying it all out flat. 4.

The Witch's Familiar
by ltlmschrisss

Comment:
Wow, what an eye! I like the connection to the black cat concept, and the title ties it up in a neat package. I like the placement of the eye in the image, too. Bumping from 6 to 7.

Morning Whispers
by dsidwell

Comment:
Pretty shot, and I like the reflection. The fog creates a nice air of mystery. Bumping from 5 to 6.

look into my crystal ball
by margiemu

Comment:
Nice idea and nice composition, although I might've cropped a bit more off the top left corner. Bumping from 5 to 6.

Once were Fairys
by Lozza

Comment:
Looks like a magic tree with tentacles to me. I like the composition, esp. the two roots reaching toward the viewer. The title leaves me wondering what it was that used to be fairies. With more contrast, I would've voted higher. 5.

Mother Nature's Crystal Ball
by L1

Comment:
I really, really like your concept. And the selective desat and blurred hand help focus attention on the ball. Unfortunately, the soft focus in the ball itself leaves me wanting to know more about what I'm seeing instead of grabbing my attention in a good way. 5.

Pick A Card, Any Card
by GeneralE

Comment:
Okay, it's a magic trick. Challenge met.

The magnifying glass in this case doesn't add anything for me. I initially thought it would show me something like how the cards are marked, but instead it seems like it was just added to add it or to explore how such lenses behave in photos. 5.

"Emeralde" Forest
by Judi

Comment:
Mystery and magic in one shot. I guess I would've liked to see more of the magician, though. The rest of it is so dark and green that a stronger subject would improve it. Still, a 5.

Threads Illustrated: "What Does a Christian Look Like?"
by 777STAN

Comment:
I get the mystery of who he is, but the title leaves me cold. Compositionally, I would've liked less board. Not really more of him, but less board. Maybe even cutting the picture in half horizontally and showing the top half, with him peeking out. The shot is also very soft in focus; sharpness in his face would add a lot to his expression. And the lighting is pretty dim. All in all, I'm on the fence but I'll give it a minor bump to 5.

The Mystery of Light
by stare_at_the_sun

Comment:
I like the concept, the glowing ball, and the composition.

Her face is too dim for me, though, so it doesn't draw me in as much as I'd like. Decent shots that meet the challenge define 5 for me, so 5 it is.