Orchid
by Brent_S

Comment:
Would have especially loved to see this one in color!

The Venus Representative
by Sebi

Comment:
First of all, I preface my comments with the fact that I'm still a newb. Having said that, I thought it was gorgeous make up and a cool photo - it just didn't "speak to me" like so many of the other photos in the challenge. When voting, it's such a subjective thing - and I recognize that your photo is excellent, and the subject is interesting - it wasn't a pose in which I was wondering what he was doing, or a setting in which I immediately wanted to know more. I just thought it was cool. End of story. Understand that my voting is about quality - but for ME, it's also about art and being intrigued and often times it's just finding what many call that "it" factor, which is hard to describe.

A different pose? A different background? Something to give it story - to give it mystery? I wish I could articulate more - but these are just the things that would have made ME score it higher, and subsequently others might have voted lower. So please take it with a grain of salt and know in another challenge, I may have loved it so much more just based on the change in context.

The Birdcage
by vawendy

Comment:
It really is an amazing shot - I was starting to think you had some sort of Dr. Doolittle witchcraft thing going that made animals magically do what you wanted - but now I see it really is persistance, dedication and imagination! Awesome work!

Adieu
by gyaban

Comment:
Beautiful and surreal and creepy and wonderful. This was my favorite of the challenge and I happily gave it a 10!

Touching the Void
by Paul

Comment:
this was one of my favorite in the challenge - top 3 choice - it's just a beautiful image that sticks with you. got my imagination going - which is always a good (and sometimes dangerous) thing!

Bloodroot and Shadow
by dandavis

Comment:
That's a really really lovely shot

Surprise Violet!
by Kelli

Comment:
OH that is absolutely beautiful! And I love the story too!

Behind blue eyes.....
by knikki

Comment:
I'm not sure how to take being the recipient of the very first "bird" award - but it gave me such a huge laugh, I'm going to consider it a compliment.

Thank you to everyone for the comments - they help. I'm looking forward to better things - like editing a picture (post-processing) for the first time. Side challenges. Self-portraits. Harsh and not-so-harsh critiques as long as they're honest. And continuing to be in awe of the varied and diverse talents in this forum.

Blue Heaven
by prakashanand

Comment:
This is actually my favorite photo from the challenge. I can't give you an in depth reasoning or critique other than it's gorgeous and it speaks to me. I really love the contrast between the blue and the yellow.

...I still hear your seawinds blowing
by Yo_Spiff

Comment:
I really love the flow of this one - and the contrast between the browns and the ocean blues.