Where's Bin Laden?
by Jacko

Comment:
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hahaha! how very monty python!

this one caught my attention during voting--and i remember wondering why you chose to put the picture in the red flower--i was trying to picture it hidden in the center of the white flower! but who knows--maybe i am reading too much into it! :)

as far as the actual picture goes--i really cant imagine why it scored so low--except for perhaps the political commentary. i think it is hysterical--but then, like i mentioned before, i see it in a monty python sort of light, and i do have an affinity for the absurd! :)

compositionally--it is wonderful--i love the diagonal lines--although i must say that in this particular instance--i dont know if it is because of the dof, or the stems point directly into the corner---together they seem to cause a sort of vertigo! my brain knows they are lying flat--but my eyes want to tell me that they are in fact hanging upside down! does that make sense? ah well, its probably because i have stared at teh photo for so long! :)
i also really like the decision to use two contrasting shades of flowers--and the way the petals on the flowers mingle together--gives it a unified feel.

technically--the dof of field is nice (vertigo or no! hehe) and the lighting seems good. it seems that you chose a side/fill light tho, and i wonder if it could have been more enhanced by adding light to the front of the flowers as well? or maybe a similar light coming from the other side? just a thought.

all in all i think you have one of the better photos of this challenge, but then again i am drawn to the more stark and simplistic photos! very nice! :)

Message edited by author 2003-02-19 19:11:45.

Blonde and Blue????
by boyte1

Comment:
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what a great shot! the contrasts and conposition really draw me into this picture. i love the choice of background--it really enhances the blackish blue hair--which in turn is enhanced by the choice of shirt color. i remember during voting i kept looking at this shot, trying to imagine if i would like the photograph better up over her nose so you could just see her eyes (for a more dramatic effect), but cant really decide. either way would work i am sure! another contrasting aspect i like is the fact that the blonde picture has so much color, the greens, reds and yellows, as compared to the main shot, which really, for some reason draws attention to her eyes---which is where all the emotion is.

technically, i like what you have done--i like the extra lighting on the right--it and the spiky hair add much depth to the bacground of the shot, which helps balance out the depth the smaller picture creates in the front.

all in all, very nice work!

Message edited by author 2003-02-16 18:14:58.

Both Wave on Command...All the Time!
by Gracious

Comment:
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what beautiful cats! they photograph well together since they look so similar (except their colors, of course!). great job on this capture. the focus is nice and their expressions are so cute--both looking so intently at you! you even did a great job with keeping the red eye from hurting your shot---good idea to get more of a profile shot. the only thing that bugs me about the composition is the crop on the right paw, but it isnt that bad, it just takes a little away from the actual waving--which is very impressive by the way! could you come train my animals, too? ;)
technically, it is fine--the flash has a small effect on their eyes, but that really cant be helped! taking animal shots is fairly difficult, but i think you have a good grasp on it! nice work!

Concealed
by Remie

Comment:
this is awesome! more later!

Innocence
by magnetic9999

Comment:
mag, this is gorgeous!! the lighting, the background contrasting with the green leaves and snowy white flower--all perfect! the border really enhances the shot too! beautiful work, congrats! :)

Self Portrait
by jjbeguin

Comment:
wonderful! one of my few 10's! perfectly lit and perfect background.

Box #4
by blick

Comment:
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What a great idea for this challenge! i am drawn to the simplicity of it. i love the cool tones of the floor and the brighter contrast of the old box.

compositionally, you did a great job with this. i love the way the lines of the floor lead you right out of the image. what helps that too, is the fact that the box is open, so when i look inside the box, im carried right down the lines of the floor. the box, sitting alone, seemingly out of place but not. the lines of the box meet the lines of the floor perfectly, as well.

technically, very well done, and the dof is great. i see nothing that needs help! all in all great work! i cant really add anything more critical to something that i like so much! :)

Welcome
by greenem2

Comment:
beautiful photo--one of my top pics this challenge! the only reason it scored a 9 instead of 10 was that i wanted just a tad more contrast, and i couldnt figure out the bizarre symbols/squiggles to the left of the doorframe--but not important! gorgeous depth to this picture. great work!

Door In The Floor
by magnetic9999

Comment:
what? i never commented on this pic? whats my problem? :)
i loved this photo for the surrealism--incredibly imaginitive-- i feel like i am looking into one of dali's dreams! the look on your face reaching for the door in the floor is fantastic. this pic should have placed!

Ode to Mapplethorpe
by KarenB

Comment:
favorite pic so far! i love everytihing about it. it is interesting to me that it looks almost like a painting! since you mentioned mapplethorpe, i cant get the calla lilly photo out of my head--so i keep wanting to see more space at the bottom of this picture---but i am definitely open to interpretation! wonderful tones and contrasts! 10