Framed
by Robski

Comment:
In theater, curtains at the sides and fabric across the top of the stage provide a setting for the action. Here, the green vegetation on the sides and top accomplish the same. On the bottom, the fine textured dirt and gravel mixed with clumps of grass seems unnecessary and distracting. Cropping it away could allow viewers easier appreciation of the detailed reflection of the building.

photobomb
by tanguera

Comment:
What a marvelous combination of lighting, expression, humor and color. Good image to pull out for students who need to learn that simple backgrounds can still be interesting, and that color relationships can be introduced without hitting the viewer over the head with them. Predicting a high score.

Winter coats
by Enlightened

Comment:
Impressive use of light, color, and compositional excellence. Bumping up to eight now that I've seen all the entries and had time to look again.

The City Sleeps
by Elaine

Comment:
Left brain wants to dislike this, but right brain takes over and likes it anyway. That makes literate commentary challenging, but the image does a good job of communicating subtleties of urban essence visually instead of with words.

Black Drongo
by artistChan

Comment:
Dark bird on bright yellow highly textured field evokes some feelings generated by the Van Gough painting Wheatfield with Crows. Unfortunately, a photograph might have to wait a long time to reach similar pricing. Enjoyable image that should do well.

MeToo
by jagar

Comment:
Thanks for the laugh. Black and white keeps us focused on the essential elements of the image. Excellent idea to have such a uniquely dressed person selected to have the cartoon balloon "statement."

200 Candles
by wbanning

Comment:
Evokes sense of calm and contemplation. Unusual light captured without excessive digital noise. Deserves to do well.

C'est moi - C2K
by damjanev

Comment:
Bold idea to submit such a stark portrait, but one of my top five in the challenge. Staring expression works well with the hard side light. Wide black area on the right somehow balances the face and smaller black area on the left. Sharp, interesting, and somewhat unusual.

horizontals and perpendiculars
by PennyStreet

Comment:
I would have enjoyed this more turned 90 degrees counterclockwise. Current orientation does show right angles but sacrifices the rest of the composition in a way that feels contrived but not effective.

Untitled
by jgirl57

Comment:
Pasta pretending to be a curtain?