Birthday Boy
by Melethia

Comment:
I need to be a better commenter. This one connected with me and I lingered for a while. I liked it and gave it a 7. I remember thinking that it was a bold choice for the Best Of challenge because I thought many would mistake this as a simple snapshot, and that alone warranted a comment. I had trouble formulating a sentence on why I liked it, so I moved on too quickly -- back to the hundreds of Best of 2012 and December Free Study images still left to vote on.

Had I not been in such a selfish hurry, this is what i might have said:
I love the way this image captures the buzz of birthday activity and the mayhem of the cupcake table. I love the arms, the small girl pressed up to the table. I love the children's faces focused on the cupcakes out of frame and the eye contact with the one adult in frame. A moment well captured.

Hope
by Neat

Comment:
This is a beauty. I thought I commented on this earlier. The bird, sky and reflection of light off the water -- it all combines for an awesome image. Nice job.

Winter's Pure Embrace
by jagar

Comment:
Beautiful shot. Underappreciated in my view.

Transcendent
by pamb

Comment:
Awesome finish in a very tough field. I loved this series of photos of yours when I saw them earlier this year. I am glad this finished well.

Ride-em Cowboy
by littlemav

Comment:
Congrats on the HM. I am so glad this finished well.

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do?
by skewsme

Comment:
The tones and depth to this are marvelous. I have to bump this one up.

"My Peace I give You"...Jesus
by Ichristfollower

Comment:
OK, I really like this, but I suspect it may not be going well for you over all (hopefully I am wrong there). I really admire your bold choices in composition and colors in processing. Beautifully done.

"Some other seed fell on good ground and began to grow."
by hopefulcrafty1

Comment:
I think this may be my favorite of the challenge. Well captured shot of nature struggling against nature. No expert editing required.

tones of january
by bspurgeon

Comment:
Simple and beautiful. Well done.

Portal
by MargaretNet

Comment:
Fascinating image. You look a bit lonely sandwiched between the two well framed couples. This works well in black and white. If I were to offer a minor criticism, I think parts of the sky might be a tad overcooked.