Garden Variety Border Collie
by Ristyz

Comment:
I love this picture. I am very sentimental about border collies. Mine passed away last year. My best friend. Great shot. great colors. Good composition with the off center crop.

The Old Mill
by tfarrell23

Comment:
Outstanding picture. I like your choice of a soft sepia tone. Definitely worth hanging on the wall.

You've Got What???
by Refocused

Comment:

Originally posted by Blackbox: Wow, what a rip-off! Here's a clue people if you wanna think about 'Risk'. Currently, I'm a Medic but am trying to change professions into Law Enforcement. People are telling me: 'what, are you crazy! it's soooo dangerous. People fight with you and shot at you with guns!'. Well, the Medical Field is almost worse. Maybe not so much for people in the Dental field but I'm sure it could happen and by this photo, all you can tell is that it's a medical worker. Anyway, talking about risk: did the voters stop to consider the risks? I think not. Just like people warning me against Law Enforcement, they fail to consider the enemies: germs, disease, body fluids - these are the unseen enemies that can sneak up on you long after the fact. There is also spitting, biting, physical battery and assault by patients/family members/by-standers. And don't forget that we see everyday tragic events that can cause mental stress and anguish. These are huge 'Risks' for Healthcare Professionals and just as bad as getting shot by a gun. For the voters that scored this photo on the low end, I say this: 'You've got what???' a big ego and closed mind! And for the people that dinged the photo for focus and blur: well, can you imagine yourself as this healthcare professional working on a patient, maybe some of their blood go on your gloves/body or they just coughed on you and they non-nonchalantly say 'oh, by the way, I've got tuberculosis, HIV and body lice'. I think the blur and focus are perfect addition to the photo and you could have incorporated it into the ideals of the photo even though Lawrence noted it was not on purpose. But, you didn't know that either until after the challenge. There, I've said my gripe: again!

Thank you for taking the time to comment with such a well thought out and emphatic response to the many low votes that I received. There are so many pictures posted on this site that it is rare that someone would take the time to actually think about the message behind the image. I have to admit that I was surprised by the comment by "katiemcg" who said "This does not say "safety" to me" but it just goes to show you the diversity of viewers here.
Your comment comparing law enforcement risks with healthcare professional risks is a truly fascinating and inciteful comparison. When I began in dentistry over 30 years ago very few of the safety precautions that exist today were even a consideration. I only wore gloves for surgeries and extractions. The same thing with surgical scrubs and this was more to prevent post operative infection than it was to protect the healthcare provider. HIV changed everything. We now wear surgical scrubs, eye protection, get vaccinations against hepatitis and the flu, use mostly disposable armamentarium, sterilize the operatory area even for the simplest of procedures, use independant water supplies to protect the patient from biofilm in the pipes as well as use high speed instruments which prevent "suck back". We are required to take courses in infection control and our office is periodically inspected to ensure we follow the OSHA guidelines. The costs of maintaining this level of asepsis is huge on a per patient basis especially when you consider the man hours required and the downtime for each operatory while it is being prepared for the next patient. I certainly feel these precautions are necessary to protect our patients and ourselves. In many ways it is a war against an unseen enemy.

In Mother's Arms
by jasonlprice

Comment:
My vote for the blue. A well taken, sensitive and thoughtful picture. Great job.

pump push
by Martini_Beach

Comment:
This is the most creative and technically excellent picture of the challenge. No doubt you have the blue ribbon. Congratulations on a great composition.

Just Me
by Judi

Comment:
Great job. You always look good!

Spot Op
by jdannels

Comment:
Very interesting point of view. The lighting is captivating.

Computer games -- At work and play.
by LiamD2005

Comment:
Not a very interesting subject but you have made it appealing with your composition. Good job.

Daydreaming Student
by Trumpeteer4

Comment:
Very nicely done. Great model.

Diver
by Motek

Comment:
Normally these aquatic shots are blurry. I commend you on the sharpness and very interesting composition.