How to keep your bananas happy
by mijak

Comment:
I did not notice the smile when I looked at this picture. It's very subtle. Of course now that I know it is there I can't NOT notice. I like that you made the smile that way, rather than just drawing it on. Good idea.

The light on the banana makes the yellow very warm and friendly and the focus is crisp and detailed. The leaf at the top is a bit distracting. Perhaps if there had been more than one it might have given the idea of a tropical scene?
I didn't give this a high score because, as you may know by now (wink) the subject didn't thrill me. I did think it was one of the better executed funny banana shots, though.

I would love a banana keeper like this, BTW. :-D We hang ours from a cup hook.

Leaf Pile Leaps
by mijak

Comment:
I like the capture of the light haloing the blond curls. The child's expression is beautiful. I think you could crop this to a square-ish format, eliminating the twiggy shrub (but not the birch).

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 12:11:46.

It's a big, big world
by mijak

Comment:
I gave this one of my highest votes for this challenge (a 7) in spite of the selective desaturation which I've made it publically known I'm not a fan of. ;-) In this case, it really does work to emphasize the little ant who might have disappeared in the wood (although I'm curious to see a version without this technique).
One of the things I like about this is that is a macro that places the insect in an interesting context. The photo tells a story. Really nice.

Ice Cream
by frisca

Comment:
Nice placement of these kids in their environment.

dapper.jpg
by frisca

Comment:
A nice portrait of this handsome gent. We can't see his eyes too well but his pose and the pipe firmly clamped in his mouth says quite a bit. I like that he is wearing running shoes. It is a nice surprise of the modern in what is very traditional dress. Excellent.

The sewer worker
by frisca

Comment:
I like this shot quite a bit. I'm not a fan of selective desaturation so I'd love to see it in full color. Conversely, in b&w. The background is blurred enough and the main subject, by his colorful clothes and actions, is so different from the rest of the surroundings that he should stand out well without the boost from this technique. Of course, this is just a matter of taste. As far as the technique goes, it looks like you've done it well. ;-D

pridemodified.jpg
by frisca

Comment:
Awesome capture of a colorful subject. I love that you've included the bus in the background. The sign on the bus works as a title for the picture. Perhaps a bit more saturation? I almost wonder how it would work in b&w? They are so colourful it would almost seem a shame but I bet it would work.

lovers on the steps
by frisca

Comment:
Nice capture of an un-self-conscious moment between to young lovers. There's a quiet about the pair that makes you wonder, are they tired after a long day (of protesting?), have they had a fight and are making up? He is holding her very tenderly. The tough looking camauflauge kerchief makes his embrace that much sweeter to behold. Good placement of the subject and nice use of a vertical format. Excellent.

Message edited by author 2004-05-31 11:42:18.

watchers
by frisca

Comment:
I like that the cameras and the passer-by in the distance are all looking in one direction but the central figure is looking in the opposite direction. Normally, that draws the viewer's eye away but since we don't know what the cameras our recording it makes us wonder what has captured her interest and caused that serious, squinty look. This could have worked for the Centered challenge (well....for me anyway) because you have placed her pretty much dead center. Really good example of the genre.

Central Park Bench
by daisy77

Comment:
Congrats on your first ribbon. You deserve it!