Simply a Vase
by Shelley

Comment:
The kind of thing I was looking for in Simplicity. I'd like seeing this in a larger format. The lighting's just a bit dark for me, but the colors are very rich. Composition's nice and the border is simple and works well.

Autumn Shapes
by KING

Comment:
Very nice Danny. DOF is perfect, and the tones are really pleasing.

Chasing the big Money!
by Harz_Joerg

Comment:
Congratulations Joerge, and nice job. Looks like you haven't lost the touch! Good to see you back.

$20.00 to the first person to correctly guess what these are. One guess per comment.
by GolferDDS

Comment:
Markers?

Look Out!
by vonautsch

Comment:
Looks like a zombie about to attack a car. ;-) Sorry, I just don't see any "surprise" here - the person isn't reacting, there's no sense of movement in the car - nothing that gives me a sense of surprise.

Happy Birthday!
by WILDBLUE

Comment:
My first thought was that it was the dog's birthday, and he was surprised. Which didn't work for me. Now, I'm thinking maybe he's the birthday surprise for somebody? Even at that, it's not a terribly engaging shot. Nothing very cute, no eye contact with the pup, no context (beside the ribbon) to tell me how the surprise worked. The black background seems to leave the dog issolated - almost gives it a sense of melancholy that contradicts the title. Technically speaking, its an OK shot, no obvious flaws, though maybe the face is just a tad hot against the black background.

Get down from there!!!
by Trinch

Comment:
Cute idea. Hope you don't get penalized by the \"essence of surprise\" police - this is a great surprise, and well composed at that. You pulled back enough to give it good context, but not so much as to diminish the prominance of the doorway. The balance of tonallity between the room and the hall was also well done. 7

Splash!
by arnit

Comment:
Nice job capturing the action. Good surprise shot. 7

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment:
Bet I know who this is.... :-) (Was just looking at your profile after your comment on my shot - at least I think so....) Very nice work. Don't know if this was candid or staged, but the feeling is very natural, so either way doesn't matter - it worked. This is the best of the \"reaction\" shots - one of only a couple that don't look like play-acting. The soft tones and focus also help with the intimacy of the moment. The only thing I don't like is that I think the flares from the earrings were a little overdone. 8

Daaaad!!
by cbeller

Comment:
Cute. Though, I'm not totally certain what the surprise is - first time by himself, or did he miss...? The tone works well for this shot, and lighting is good. I think a little more of the toilet would have given it a better atmosphere, a little more sense of the moment. 6