Squid (+,+)
by tryingtostayinfocus

Comment:
This one is an understated but genius accomplishment in every way. If it had been in the Boxy Composition challenge, I'd bet it would have zoomed right to the top. But I'm very glad to see it here in the top ten. Congrats!

Caribbean Flamingo Portrait
by bobnospum

Comment:
My second after Larry's for this challenge. Your bird photography is consistently stunning, of course, but what really WOWed me the most with this is the color balance. It's incredibly tricky (at least for my butterfingers) to get reds and magentas to pop this vividly without them feeling oversaturated. And the compositional choices here are spot-on. This looks like glossy advertising through and through.

the round in the square
by primabarbara

Comment:
Your eye never stops searching for the most magnificent views in everyday places. Congrats! This was one of my top scores. Wonderful use of the square crop to contain and direct attention right where it belongs.

Long-Legged Fly On A Squash Leaf
by Refocused

Comment:
DPL really is tough on people when I of all people would be your lone 10 on this unbelievably pristine piece of work. :-P

Same Sky
by lovemelvin

Comment:
Top ten, woot! And in one of the most competitive challenges of the year so far--I knew this would do well from the first moment you shared it with us. :-) Congrats!

Mom's-Eye View
by tate

Comment:
Incredible. I can't begin to imagine the setup it takes to capture this. So there better be notes. LOL

Flowers in Mourning
by VitaminB

Comment:
This gentle subversion of "pretty" would have amused Beata. I'm bumping it up for that. :-)

A Tribute to Beata's "Me, myself, and I"
by roz

Comment:
Yes. She would have loved this, I'm quite sure.

Miss you to death my amazing little sister..
by bluejasmine

Comment:
I remember her casually sharing this with me when you took it, Aga. She said it was one of the best portraits of her anyone had ever taken, and I could tell she meant it. I'll be honest. I didn't get it then. I think I do now.

A Sad Story
by Mona

Comment:
Perhaps. But I think she would be smiling right now because she coaxed you into taking a sincere selfie and not giving a flip what others might have to say about it. You have a 10 from me.