IMG_0364.jpg
by strangeghost

Comment:
Wow! That's a large group of birds. Would be cool to get setup in a blind near there and wait. What lens did you use for this?

The Candidates
by ajfan

Comment:
ewwwww - Democrats!

Bet you can't do this~
by KIM986

Comment:
Great catch! This is a fun photo to look at. The water indentations are very cool.

I took a peek at the cropped version of this and have to say that I think the composition is actually stronger with the leaf than without. The leaf adds a sense of scale and context. Additionally, as you pointed out in your notes on the cropped version, you do get more noise taking away more pixels. Some NI (neat image - software noise reduction program) could help clean up the noise on the bug, even in this non-cropped version.

It seems that your focal point was hitting on the actual water marks and not the bug. You haven't filled in the aperture/shutter/iso sections of the photo info...I'm guessing it was shallow (F2.8 to 3.5?). If you had the focus on the bug's back or head, with F8 or so aperture (maybe even F5.6), you would have the bug and the water in focus with slight blurring of the leaf.

Just some observations. :) BTW, I like the way you vote! ;P

Cape Kiawanda Oregon
by willhadl

Comment:
Well at least I see I wasn't alone in not finding the 'S' curve in here.

Oh, and yes, it's a beautiful shot - really.

Hmmm...wonders out loud if that second sentence will be enough for a 'Helpful' comment check. :P

Steaming round the S-bend
by sunraygp

Comment:
THIS is what a 'S' curve should look like. :) The lines lead to the primary subject and take the viewer thru the image. Hooray!

As for the image, I like the way the trees are forming a natural frame/tunnel for the train to come thru. Keeps the viewers focused and in a natural place as well (train is close to the upper ROT point).

Would be a tad stronger if the train was sharply focused instead of the tracks, but nonetheless I still like it overall. Good luck in the challenge.

Curved Aurora
by orvaratli

Comment:
Wonderful scene, and good use of flash to bring out the foreground building. Yes, I suppose there's an 'S' in that aurora somewhere, but having just an 'S' isn't hitting the concept of this challenge IMO. If I understand this challenge correctly, it's supposed to be a leading line that takes the viewer thru the image, not just a letter 'S'.

Again, lovely image, and one to be proud of. Good luck.

Chipmunk on the rocks
by rlinn3

Comment:
Cute chipmunk. Little bit soft. I like the color in the bg. That's very nice. As for the 'S' curve part of the challenge, I'm guessing the 'S' is the stripes on the chipmunk (like a backwards 'S')? Ideally, this challenge is more about using a curving line that leads the viewer thru the image, from a depth perspective, not really just about finding a 'S' as in the letter. All JMO of course. Good luck in the challenge.

Topography
by Tvetting

Comment:
Hmmm. Yes, there's an 'S' shaped curve (two of them) in this photo. And while it technically fits the challenge, I find the image to be a bit static. Nothing to say "Wow" about it. If you had used different colors maybe? Anyway...good luck in the challenge.

Sunset on Short Beach
by scotthadl

Comment:
Wonderful scene. There is certainly a nice leading line in the form of a curve here to guide the viewer thru the image. 'S' shaped? Mostly. :P

Good luck in the challenge.

Downtown
by caba

Comment:
This is a nice gentle 'S' curve you have working in this. Very nice, AND it leads the viewer thru the image. The time of day is perfect with the glow of twilight in the bg. Nicely done!