DSC_0849-Edit-2-Edit1
by Ja-9

Comment:
Great colors. I also enjoy the view of both the front and the back of the orchid. The blown highlights are there but don't really present a problem, IMO. The backlighting works well for the flowers, serving to isolate them. I also like that there are buds present. The only issue I have is that this hasn't presented the subject in a particularly "wow!" way. It's a pretty shot, it has great composition, but is it arresting? For me, I think that's one of the real hard things to find, but also a necessary for a successful Best Of.

DSC_2424-Edit-Edit1
by Ja-9

Comment:
Good macro; great colors great light on the subject. Some nitpicks- I'd like to not have the false antenna (properly known as tentacles, if you're curious) obscured by shadow. So far as insects go, these guys are right in the hard size range for shooting, so far as DoF goes. It's difficult to get them all in, but easy to get just small bits. I'm on the fence about if I want more or less here, so not sure what to tell you so far as that goes. I do very much enjoy the composition for this shot.

Dusk2Dawn
by Qiki

Comment:
Man, it almost looks like you ran into barbed wire or something. What'd you hit?

Shepherds of the Forest
by tome

Comment:
I don't want to say that I don't like this, because I do. Having said that, I do want to say that I think you've been here (figuratively) before, that you've pursued a subject in this sense, that you've accomplished much already here and should move to push things in a different direction we haven't seen. I liked the snowscape you showed us, because it defied many other things, because it was something you personally found interesting. I can't help wondering which shot you personally liked more, which you were more curious and interested in.

I don't have anything negative to say other than that I have nothing to say to specifically differentiate it that I haven't said for another photo. Other shots you've shown are differentiated for being yours, but this feels less so, but maybe that's just me and my current mood. Who knows? :)

Rose. Deconstructed.
by colorcarnival

Comment:
Very much like the switch up with the different take on the floral shot. I wonder what tons of other compositions and lighting schemes would yield, but I'm sure you went there and tried that. I might consider a higher level of abstraction, getting closer, making one wonder what the heck that is, perhaps tilting the rose so it descends out of focus into the distance? Something, anyway, to drive home the peculiar look. Very neat, nice lighting, but lacks some pow factor.

sisters
by FourPointX

Comment:
Bit blue on the WB, the colors and focus look a bit odd on their "decorations." Maybe a bit overexposed in some areas, but it's obvious you were getting just enough for the hair, so it's hard to say. Lots of dynamic range here, so it's tough to photograph. A great moment, regardless, but the decorations make it a tough choice so far as where and how to crop. As is, I feel like I want to crop closer, but that would get rid of the decorations and then would be... odd. A bit wider context, like waist up, might help things here.

look inside
by posthumous

Comment:
Wouldn't have pegged this as the last of the lot, myself. Though it eschews many aspects of the DPC aesthetic, it's still a compelling enough image I'd have figured an ambiguous 5.0 finish.

Anyway, to echo those who have already commented, I love how brooding this image is. It reminds me of the intro to Fight Club perhaps, and also . But yours is dirtier, more sinister. I like it. Funny how just some twigs and cardboard could be so evocative...

SharpSoft
by mefnj

Comment:
Great job combining all my favorite attributes from your outtakes! Congrats on the finish!

DSC_5588-Edit1
by Ja-9

Comment:
Definitely prefer this one over the other. The other seems underexposed to me. While this doesn't particularly stress the texture, per se, I think it would be received by the voters well.

The Seer
by Cuttooth

Comment:
lol I would never peg this as a shot from you! Just so different stylistically from what I associate with your images now, certainly interesting to see the transformation.