O
by DefyTime

Comment:
Definite zen here, both by challenge definition and my inner measure of zen. I like the contrast between the color of the sky and the flower and I like the dramatic backdrop all those interesting clouds add to the mix. The image looks oddly sharpened to me and the lighting on the flower is a bit harsh IMO. I think this is a nice photo that has some good elements in it but it just doesn't gel together into a 'wow' sort of image for me. I gave a 4

Let The Day Go By
by JSAYB

Comment:
This certainly has an aura of relaxation or sereneness to it but I don't find it meets my inner measure of zen. It does meet the challenge definition though. The focus seems a bit soft, perhaps because of the low light, which works here but I do wish it was a bit brighter so the skin would have more of a richness to it, he looks pretty well tanned so a nice glow (even for guys!) is nice. I like the colors and how they match but again with the low light they don't really pop. The image is nice but lacks a bit of pizzazz that I look for to give a top mark to. I gave a 5

A Place For Contemplation
by vencap

Comment:
I think this meets the challenge as described, it certainly looks peaceful. I don't get an inner sense of zen from it but I think its a decent shot. The natural light is a bit flat so the color doesn't pop, but there is a bit of depth to the image which is nice. The focus is okay, composition seems to work. I find myself strining to see more details of the swing? in the background though. A decent image but it doesn't draw me in or keep my attention. I gave a 4

Finished
by rjkstesch

Comment:
Excellent rich colors and fantastic details. I love how all the grains play against one another. This would make a great print in my estimation. I think there is zen to be found here, despite all of the areas of interest. I like the focus though I wish it were enough to get the entire leaf in the front as well just so the details of it were in play. I like the earthy colors and the water droplets definitely add something to the image. I would suggest cropping about a half inch off the top though, right about where the stem to those helicopter leaf things is. That leaves enough of a space above that it wouldn't look cramped, yet removes what I see as distracting that lighter portion where the bench ends. It also still keeps the screw visible which I think is a nice touch. I gave a 7 and added as a favorite.

Still Waters
by SherwinJames

Comment:
Gorgeous color here. The still water and balance between it and the sky definitely speaks of zen to me as well. I like how the curves of the branch are similar to the curve of the shoreline though more perpendicular to it. There seems to be a bit of sharpening? distortions around the branch but maybe that's just compression goobers from uploading. I would suggest cropping out that last piece of stick at the bottom. I find it drawing me out of the image and I don't think its inclusion adds anything special to the photo. Very well done I gave a 7

Japanese Teapot
by flip89

Comment:
I love the simplicity of this. The organically shaped teapot contrasting with the linear scope of the blinds, the cool blue-gray contrasting with the brightly colored teapot and the low horizon line contrasting with all the verticals. Simply fabulous. I do wish there was a little light on the left side of the teapot but that's a minor thing. Very well composed and I find it meets both the challenge definition of zen and my own inner definition. Bumping from a 7 to a 8.

After the Storm
by adamweb

Comment:
I like the juxtaposition of the selective color. The image has a great balance with the two birds on either side of the tree. There's a loneliness and calm to the image even though the water isn't completely smooth. The horizon line adds interest with the distant trees and the clouds seem to almost mimic the water. I think it looks a bit over sharp in some areas, particularly by the tree and I'd suggest cropping maybe a half inch off the top. Other than that I think its great. I gave a 7

Wheat
by bucket

Comment:
Exquisite. I love the choice of black & white here. I also like the how expansive it all feels. Typically I don't find much zen (or serenity as zen is described in the challenge) in images that have a lot going on. I think this one because of the uniformity of the 'chaos' really works towards a zen feel though. I like the depth of the focus and the lighting looks very good. I think I would crop just a bit off from the top, there's an almost natural break in the wheat line about half an inch from the top and that's where I'd do my cropping. Very nice image. I gave a 7

Zen BuBBLes
by magenmarie

Comment:
I think this image certainly meets the challenge, though it doesn't give me an inner sense of zen. I don't find the image entirely appealing, the water looks somewhat sludgey and though I can find beauty in things typically thought of as unattractive, I think the lack of depth to the image plays against it. The focus is nice, use of natural(?) light is good though I wish there were a bit more shadows around the bubbles to try and add that depth in there. Maybe even getting more on level with the bubbles (if possible) would help add to the dimension. I think the ripples do help add interest to the image and it would be neat to see ripples around all of the bubbles, thus having the concentric circles everywhere with bubbles in the middle. Definitely would add something more for me as a viewer to latch onto. I gave a 4

Balance
by Mal37

Comment:
I like what you were going for here. Balance I think is definitely an aspect of a zen image. I like the composition for the most part, though the white line is a bit distracting and to me throws off the balance of the image compositionally. The lighting is a bit bright, but you can't really do much about that during a competition! I would have liked to see the fellow from a slightly different vantage point, so you are more aligned with him horizontally, err so his body kind of makes a parallel to the horizon in the image (if that makes sense?) I think this would really highlight the form of his body. I could definately feel a zen-vibe from this but as I mentioned earlier the white line really jars me. I gave a 4