Angel
by BAMartin

Comment:
That worked out perfectly, didn't it? I would like to see it with the little cherub moved down just a slight bit so as to not cut off the top of his head and wing. The wing looks a bit dark, but since the other shadows are so mellow, I am led to believe that that is due to the actual color of the wing, and not a lighting effect. Otherwise, great photo. Good luck in the challenge.

A Pencil Star
by rocco22

Comment:
The shadow in this is great. The lighting is just perfect fot this. I like the angle. I wonder if it would look the same with bright colorful pencils? colorful pencils might draw attention away from the star. Very clever idea. Great shot and good luck in the challenge.

The Pencil That Was
by fas-ligand

Comment:
You could take the lead out of the middles and string them all onto a rope and you would have a really cool pencil snake. I like how there is a soft focus on the pencil and the (it looks like a dremel or rotozip) tool is crips and sharp looking. What is the bigger shadow in the back of the photo to the left of the pencil? If the shadow could be avoided, that would be cool, but if not, it doesn't take anything away from the photo. Really neat idea. Good luck in the challenge.

Lunch
by miller

Comment:
Pencils. Does a body good. Set up is great. I like the creativity here. Lighting is good, however the bread to the right side is a little bright. Not overly bright, but I wouldn't want it any brighter. Reflections in the plate and fork are subtle enough that they aren't distracting. The angle is ok. I'd like to see it at a more flat angle also for comparrison, but then again, it might be a bit boring and plain at a flatter angle. Great job and good luck in the challenge.

As Time Goes By
by jmattys

Comment:
Love the wide variety of pencils you have in your photo. The elephant is absolutely gorgous. I like how he stands out from the background and he works very well with the wood table. The books ad an extra touch of color. The angle is good and the lighting is great. I wonder, if the white thing behind the elephant were removed, or covered up with something a bit darker, if it would help the elephant to stand out even more. It almost blends right into the elephant. Great job with the photo and good luck in the challenge.

Office Space
by magnetic9999

Comment:
Great job of capturing this in a way that the other side of the basket isn't distracting. I took a pic of a fan with a similar pattern and it make my eyes go buggy. Did you get that effect by adjusting focus? Anyway, The lighting is beautiful. I love the placement of the subject in the photo. I wonder why you cut off the bottom of the basket though? If there wasn't something really goofy happening with the bottom of the basket, I'd like to see it. Sometimes you don't have a choice to cut something out though, totally understandable. The contrast of the basket to the red pencil is very nice to look at. I'd love to see this hanging in an office or office supply store. It would even look good in my art room. Great job and good luck with the challenge.

stab stab stab
by Manic

Comment:
Looks like the effect from shutter speed. I read that this is the image that it produces when you change the shutter speed. I could be wrong, but however it's done, it's a pretty neat effect. If you had done it with the lead side of the pencil rather than the eraser side, it would match up better with your title. the lighting is great and although the hands at the top are kind of strange looking, they are important to the photo. Great job and good luck in the challenge.

Shadow and Light
by LanSnake

Comment:
Realizing that this photo is called shadows and light, I will only say that excessive shadow and bright spots don't appeal to me, however, for your purpose, you did a very good job with it. I love the angle of this and how the pencil kind of jumps up and smacks us in the face. great focus and overall nice photo. Good luck with the challenge.

The End
by tomlewis1980

Comment:
I like the color here on the white background. The angle is good and the point is clear. (no pun intended) The lighting is good, there are no distracting shadows, however there is quite a glare on the pencil. This could have been decreased a bit by placing a thin cloth or thin paper between the light source and the subject. Nice job and good luck with the challenge.

broke idea
by pabloleva

Comment:
This is very nicely in focus. I love the grain on the wooden table. This kind of represents my frusteration in the pencil challenge. lol. The lighting is great and I love the angle. To the left of the photo where the pencil goes off the photo, there is a white object that looks like it is holding the pencil up off the table. I think the photo would have higher visual impact if we couldn't see that. Would seem more like the pencil is hovering. Great idea and good luck in the challenge.