Desert Lighthouse
by Cory

Comment:
Good number, fine finish. WTG Cory!

The Cannibal
by Hipychik

Comment:
Oh, this is very, very fine :-)

Trading Places
by vawendy

Comment:
Nicely done :-)

Bombers
by MinsoPhoto

Comment:
Brought 'em in at over 6! Good job!

Water Dances
by Neil

Comment:
There ya go! Right choice, eh?

snows crows
by skewsme

Comment:
I love the picture but for the life of me I can't find much challenge relevance in it, sorry.

Golden Hour
by MinsoPhoto

Comment:
Whoo, Joshua! Congrats on your first ribbon! Great job, and enjoy it!

IMG_9872-new residence perhaps
by sfalice

Comment:
Or the original apple from the Garden of Eden?

Roasterie Coffee Sack
by dahlin

Comment:
This is terrific, flat and 4-dimensional all at the same time, strange effect.

Gargoyle
by JuliBoc

Comment:
That's an interesting approach. I've used it to some degree, but never so extensively. I'm more likely to do a mask on the second layer and paint out what I don't like than I am to do more than 2 layers.

Something useful you might want to try: OnOne software has a free download of just a few of their tools, and included is a "Dynamic range painter" tool, that literally allows you to brush in more dynamic range in the areas you need it. They also have a great "golden hour" preset that's the best warming filter I've ever used.