Papa's Bait & Snack Shop
by northebound

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: Lovely scene, wonderful colours and a really great POV. Your use of a vignette also works really well - some may find it a bit heavy but I think it complements the scene really well. The perspective given by the pier gives a sense of depth to the image and the birds, especially those on the wing, contribute a great sense of life.

Critical stuff: I'm not sure I'm keen on the net(?) on the right hand side of the image - I don't think the overall composition would be any less effective with that cropped out.

Overall: A very nice, feel-good image. Make me want to take a deep breath in and raise my face to the sun.

Silence is Golden
by ace flyman

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: I really like this - the combination of the smooth foreground sand and the textured broken sand behind with the textures of the chair works so well. What is most striking though is how well you've judged the light and your exposure - I love the deep shadows. Then of course we have the mystery of the overall shot - what are the chairs doing there?

Critical stuff: Not much at all.

Overall: Wonderfully crafted shot, I wouldn't have dreamed so much interest could be created from a couple of chairs on sand.

The End of Conversation
by dafletchr

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: The very first image to come up for me in voting. What a treat! Great story, great expressions and a wonderful sense of silence. The question you have left us with is whether this is a comfortable or uncomfortable silence. The juxtaposition of the elements in the scene is striking; the happy social interactions depicted in the framed photos and the silent couple below works magnificently. I really lke the tones of your monochrome edit too.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: Wonderful storytelling. Great stuff.

That Ride to Nowhere
by ubique

Comment:
It was a 10 from me. Great, bold stuff.

Kristen
by sceneit

Comment:
This is a really nice portrait. The inclusion of the leg at the bottom of the image is unconventional and changes the balance of the composition significantly. I think it has the effect of pulling us into the scene. It has made me think about trying some more creative crops.

S....circles
by Paul

Comment:
You are absolutely right Lev - I worked hard to control that to no avail. I fact I had convinced myself that it was an optical illusion (mach effect) so stubborn was it to resolve.

f o r k
by Bear_Music

Comment:
This was my highest scoring image. A 9; on reflection, my error not give it a bump.

(Did you post the wrong lens information? I'm anticipating that this is actually your new macro...)

Message edited by author 2010-09-13 03:26:23.

Fixed in One Determined Flash
by VitaminB

Comment:
Great depth and tones. Very nicely done.

Brighter times ahead
by arngrimur

Comment:
Fantastic contrast and minimal coloration. Well deserved blue.

V
by PennyStreet

Comment:
I did like this - it was one of my eights; it started off as a 9 and I knocked it back! Sorry.

What swayed me back was the motion of the wall, I found this de-emphasised the blur of the girl. I did like it though and I do find it to be well Nixterised!