The Gaggling
by skewsme

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: So easy to have gone with something more conventional with this scene - instead you give us this dark mysterious and slightly sensual take on the scene. Masterfully restrained and fully of smudgy goodness. I really like your use of negative space too.

Critical Stuff: I wouldn't dream of it.

Overall: Looking forward to seeing who is responsible. Amazing stuff.

American Gothic - Revisited
by tanguera

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Wonderful subjects, composition, light and colour. This is just tremendous Johannah - I loved it when I saw it in your Flickr portfolio and I love it here. Makes me want to take a deep breath. Her dress against the green door and the French Bulldog pocking through the hatch is just marvellous. And chickens too!

Critical stuff: Perhaps the right foot distorted by the lens and its proximity looks a bit odd for some audiences (but personally I think it adds to the quirkiness of the image).

Overall: Just spectacularly accomplished. I hope this ribbons.

Our Separate Worlds
by jagar

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Fabulous composition with a title that resonates perfectly.The tones are lovely as is the great sense of texture throughout the image. The man inside communicates the sense of a ghost unable (or unwilling) to let go...

Critical stuff: Nothing really

Overall: Looks like a jagar to me. That, of course, is a very good thing!

Galle Face
by aznym

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Wonderful journalistic image. The tones are straight out of a vintage photo book. A most interesting scene and even more interesting POV - where were you??? I really like the kites (if that's what they are) in the sky and how they leave little trails.

Critical stuff: No

Overall: Most compeling.

Old Sheldon Church circa 1755
by Ja-9

Comment:
Very well executed selective desaturation.

One mad bull
by bigskyeye

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Wow - extraordinary power in this image. This should be right up there in the ribbons. How the light plays on the hoofed-up dust is amazing. The angle of the bulls head and the sense that it powered right up there with a mere flick of its toes gives it a power of almost a cartoon nature. I really like how you've toned this too.

Critical stuff: Nope.

Overall: Extraordinary capture of an amazing moment.

Funeral
by mgarsteck

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: So powerful - given the scene I feel guilty at liking it so much but tho is so sensitively made and so poignant. This is both journalistic and artistic at the same time and the longer the look at it, the longer I think about, this POV and wonder about the guts you have to take this shot....

Critical stuff: The guy on the left reminds me enough of the actor Sam Elliott to distract me.

Overall: A very special image. Excellent work.

Innocent Pleasures : Bali
by hotpasta

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: This is a flat-out gorgeous image. Wonderful toning, absolutely perfectly judged exposure, precise composition, just the right amount of vignette. A technical and artistic showpiece.

Critical stuff: Perhaps a little imperfection somewhere may have added a little more edge..... that's harsh of me to say though.

Overall: Spectacular stuff.

Fountain play
by Melethia

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Amazing range of contrasts here - high and stark bottom right and low top left. A really difficult lighting situation, rendered perfectly at your hand. His expression is sublime - expressing a pure moment. The image overall is highly dynamic, frozen it may be but remains communicative of movement and life.

Critical stuff: I wonder if a crop into the lowest part of the darkness may have been effective.

Overall: Lovely (even masterful) stuff.

Of Sandhills and Swallows
by vawendy

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Bird shots are pretty common in the Free Studies but this one stands out from the crowd. A wonderful composition and lovely, dreamy coloration. The timing here is exquisite and the depth of field works so well to keep our attention where it needs to be.

Critical stuff: Nope.

Overall: Excellent work. More than the sum of its parts.