Thunderstorm in Lisbon
by primabarbara

Comment:
This was one of my favs in the challenge. Love how something about the subjects' unsurprised, unhurried manner in this downpour combines with the framing of this composition to convey not only a striking candid moment, but also a real sense of place for the setting.

Crossing in the Rain
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Superbly executed visual composition. Moody and surreal while still grounded and gritty. Love this sort of thing.

Thirst Quencher!
by glad2badad

Comment:
I wondered how this one would score. It was one of my favorites in this challenge because of how well it captures the kinesthetic energy of a good, heavy (but beneficial) rainfall. It does what my favorite stock photography does: hint at the subtle wonders of mundane reality while remaining practically useful for supporting a variety of storytelling uses. It's good to see that this kind of composition is rewarded this highly, because to me this is both beautiful on its own and commercially very marketable--that dream combo I find so hard to achieve in my own work. Congrats on the yellow!

Edge of Morning
by kanaj

Comment:
Thanks for the kind comments, everyone! I'm just so thrilled that this one resonated emotionally. :-) There were many beautiful submissions in this challenge--several below mine that I would have numbered among my favorites--and I'm learning so much from everyone else's perspectives. My "eye" is far less skillfully calibrated than the average member here, but I've never felt more inspired to go out and try new things than when I imagine how others in this community might interpret a challenge.

Reflective morning
by Neat

Comment:
You have such a way with these sunny horizons. :-) Never a boring composition.

Coastal Eclipse
by Paul

Comment:
I'm hearing this as a motivational poster of some kind. 🙂

Lamp
by Garv1127

Comment:
An interesting perspective on a household scene. I wonder how this composition might look in a duotone rendering. The blue light of the digital frame might be a little less distracting that way--and the deep shadows might be more of a striking contrast.

Edited by author on 2025-05-08 20:33:05

Edited by author on 2025-05-08 20:33:59

Camden Suite, Evening
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Camden should license this from you. It's very flattering to the property! And the perspective and lighting are key to that.

Mansfield Park
by ErinKirsten

Comment:
This is such a beautiful portrait. I think I'd like to see the version where your subject is reading--where it feels like a stolen moment rather than a posed shot. But it's amazing exactly as is, too.

Grace
by GolferDDS

Comment:
My gosh this is gorgeous--and in exactly the way this challenge invites. Congrats on communicating the ephemeral beauty of an unrehearsed moment in an inconspicuous place.