Snow Storm and a Lonely Light Bulb
by jimbone

Comment:
The snowstorm and weathered barn give this a feeling of tranquility and peace. The tiny delicate snowflakes silently blanket the trappings of Man, changing the landscape to one of Nature. The delicate curved lightpole fixture with its sole bare bulb echoes this composition of purity in shapes. The tones of the trees echo the tones of the barn. The white sky tone echoes the snowy ground. Balanced, nuanced, a superb composition of disparate elements.

Home for the Holidays...
by NikonJeb

Comment:
This is a superb political commentary on many levels and quite sad because it is now so commonplace and true. The black and white tones fit this perfectly because they are opposite absolutes. This is obviously a view of somewhere which shares great wealth as evidenced by the central background building and reflections behind the shelter, but the tired soul seeking respite is not a part of that, nor do they see or celebrate the decoration meant to enliven the holidays around the lamp, which in the greater scheme now feels awkward and out of place. The phantom watchers in the background enhance this but the main subject is unaware, isolated, alone. We are our Brother's Keeper and what we do about such things defines us in a greater sense. A good eye and a compassionate heart to recognise and capture this.

The Sun is Setting On Bygone Times
by Guyzy

Comment:
The West Pier looks so sad and melancholy yet at the same time it has an odd beauty of its own now that it has been reduced to bare structural shapes. Like remnants of a long ago lost culture or civilisation, one that cannot quite be touched again, it quietly reminds of what was. I love this photograph, it is one of my very favourites in this free study challenge, even the sea is at peace. SUPERB.

Roll Out The Barrel
by BigJohnson

Comment:
The colour tones and water fluidity in this are gorgeous, pure eye candy. I love the rolling lines and flows.

Stuffed Sunset Parody
by lynnesite

Comment:
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." I like this little Skin Horse affirming life at the end of the day.

You and Me Against the World
by banmorn

Comment:
Love the colours and artfully designed background reflections on the balls and their holders. It kind of looks like an abstract spider contained within them but could also be interpreted to represent the symbol for infinity if you look at it in another way, or perhaps 8. Anyway, I do really like it - it is creative, simple and quite effective.

Illuminated
by KarenNfld

Comment:
Expertly lit so that the capillaries and leaf structures stand out in sharp relief inviting a view into the marvellous diversity that is so commonplace in Nature and yet so unseen. The veins resemble a highway with their main thoroughfares and smaller avenues, a well thought out plan to service the leaf with life giving nutrients. Even in its season of slow decay it brings beauty to the world.

Aquila chrysaetos
by akshayvh

Comment:
Each individual feather stands out in this regal portrait of a golden eagle. The defining eye is clear and sharp and so is the beak. Superbly beautiful.

An Untribute
by Bugzeye

Comment:
Superb capture of a mushroom, so crisp that each delicate gill folds over onto itself in the cap umbrella making a beautifully fragile pattern of undulating lines and anchored by the stem. One of my absolute favourites in this challenge.

...for every tatter in its mortal dress...
by Bear_Music

Comment:
"Soul clap its hand and sing, and Louder sing..." for this superb macro of an aged hand complete with lines and wrinkles, whorls and creases, skin patterns, textures, shapes and the marvel of humanity. Thanks also for the nod to Yeats, a superb Sligo Irish poet.