Soft Focus
by SJCarter

Comment:
But there IS such a thing as soft focus, as you've adeptly illustrated here with this fine photo. :D Nice shot overall. Does seem a bit too yellow to me. Good luck.

Alone Together
by runin2dson

Comment:
Nice scenic and cleverly put together. I think if they weren't looking at each other it would be much stronger for the theme/oxymoron you've selected.

Good luck in the challenge.

Symetrical Birds
by Never Born

Comment:
People really say that? 'Symetrical Birds'? Hmmm...going to have to look that one up. :D As for the image. It's sharp enough. Seems underexposed some, although that could be due to the tones, as the image is a little flat. Needs some levels/curves adjustment and a small shot of contrast to add some extra pop to this photo. Anyway, good luck in the challenge.

Civil War
by sacredspirit

Comment:
I get the oxymoron. Certainly hard to be civil when at war. The part I'm not getting is the choice of book included in this image. I guess I automatically think of the 'Civil War' in the US back in the 1860's. Perhaps you're refering to what's going on in IRAQ? Hmmm...

Anyway. The image is crystal clear and well put together for the most part. The newspaper clipping is distracting and don't see how it adds anything to your composition. Good control of lighting on the reflective brass shell casings.

Best of luck to you in the challenge.

Awfully Pretty
by Gunnsi

Comment:
HOW on earth do you get that horse to DO that?! Is this the same animal that did so well in another fairly recent challenge? I've got the last one flagged as a favorite...hmmm, should go take a peek. :D

I think you did a nice job of getting some pretty deep DOF here and keeping a good portion of the horse in focus. Also a good choice to let the background blowout...it works just fine.

Good luck in the challenge.

a CALM STORMY evening in Africa...
by ralton

Comment:
Do people really use that phrase? Calm Stormy... Hmmm. Oh well, if they do I guess this image fits. :D This is a tough image to comment on. It's interesting to look at. The interest is in the giraffe, but unfortunately the giraffe is underexposed. Looking at the scene I don't know how you could add any light without a flash - remote flash maybe? Probably not. I would take this image and turn it into a straight silhouette. I think it would be pretty strong in that format. All JMO of course. :D Good luck in the challenge.

Living Fossil
by d95vette

Comment:
That's certainly alive, for sure! :D Some minor issues from where I'm sitting while viewing this photo. 1) Grainy 2) Oversharpened 3) Eye isn't sharply focused 4) Color feels a little over saturated. Hopefully you'll share the original and camera settings for additional feedback after the challenge is over? Take care.

The other side...of me
by helder

Comment:
Cute take on the challenge. The image, to me, seems a bit grainy and slightly overexposed on the highlights. I like the way you've framed (composed) it with the dragonfly wings forming a wide, inverted V. Good luck in the challenge.

Static Explosion
by orvaratli

Comment:
Hope you got out of the way when it became a Dynamic Explosion! :D The colors are really coming out nice with the overcast sky and your post-processing. Good luck in the challenge.

There was a "clear blur" effect in the picture
by ho0joker

Comment:
Huh? Interesting macro shot, but not getting the connection to any oxymoron. Sorry. Good luck.