Sunset trails....
by renjith_varma

Comment:
The bright trails in the water contrast well with a dull sky, making an unexpected but artistic contribution to this challenge.

A Lonely Wanderer by the Frozen Lake
by JimiRose

Comment:
The patterns across the frosty ice surface have just the color to convey a sense of cold. Subdued non-saturated sky a nice break from the more saturated competition. If that person is walking toward the camera, another capture a few seconds later might have allowed better separation from the dark background elements.

Moe
by MaryO

Comment:
I like the compositional decision to have the dog split the background between the upright repeating pattern on our right and the open area on the left. Backlighting highlights work well on the fur, and the fill light is done just right.

Curiosity
by bruski

Comment:
Refreshing new way to see a girraffe. Choice of yellow fits as an echo of the hide colors.

First Bath
by sh0rty

Comment:
This will bring back memories years from now. It is a good snap shot, but has potential to become an artistic piece too. I think many elements of the background distract from our scrunched-face subject. On the right hand side of the image, consider cropping just outside of the baby's left elbow and before the white verticle background element (eliminating most of the dark part of the background past the gloved hand), even though it breaks a rule and cuts off the gloved index finger. On the other side, converting the green fabric to something much darker or even black might be tried in Photoshop.

Steven
by Kelli

Comment:
Holiday decoratons nicely subdued in the background, but the overall image tone feels somber. Increasing brightness might help make this more festive.

Autumn Arrival
by ShaneBlake

Comment:
One of the best baby portraits I've seen. Enjoy the contrast of smooth skin with textured leaves, and the balance of reds/oranges/yellows with skin tones. Cute expression too.

A Lady and her snake....
by basssman7

Comment:
Your choice of lighting both sides and allowing shadows to occupy the middle works very well here. The drama goes well with the "danger" message from both the snake and the sexuality.

Pensive
by BarbB

Comment:
I like the eyes, lighting, and expression. The gloved hand seems a little harsh for this portrait - makes me wonder about how different hand poses might have worked (no suggestions, however) and therefore tips toward distrating instead of enhancing. 7 nonetheless.

Old woman with pumpkins
by Giorgio

Comment:
Quiet an eastern European ambiance - could easily illustrate a fairy tale. The pale squashes add a melancholy accent to the mood.