Window magic
by max90034

Comment:
This photo is a bit hard to follow. There is so much blurring that I am a bit disoriented. I assume this is a stained glass window, but I am not sure. Other than that the picture is crisp, well-framed, and an overall creative effort.

Ocean View
by KOKOCAT

Comment:
Pretty view, but not quite a window IMHO. Still, I like the execution and colors. (Nice place to live.)

Elements of Reality
by karmat

Comment:
I like the concept of this picture. For me, however, the reflection of the truck is a bit of a distraction (even if the truck is the reason she is at the door). Otherwise, it is done well. Cute model, BTW.

Bonjour!
by ClubJuggle

Comment:
This is a nice effort, but I think the white background is a little too washed out. Makes it hard to see the details such as the stem on the glass. Over all, though, it shows some thought and expression. It is especially good if you are both the photographer and the model.

OUCH! Sharp
by tngrndream

Comment:
I didn't vote in this challenge because of family commitments, but if I had I probably would have given it a 4 or 5. While I like the idea and I think it would be fun to stage this photo, it seems to me that the execution doesn't quite carry it off (e.g. the picture cuts off the blood stain but leaves an essentially unnecessary dark background line at the top). I would have cropped out the top and added more to the bottom (you would have to re-shoot to keep your hand in the image, of course). Focus is good. Perhaps some 'blood' on the blade would help too. (BTW, if I seem too 'sharp' with my observations, I need to add that I probably wouldn't have carried this off any better myself.)

New life budding
by Kelli

Comment:
You have taken on a tall order here, IMHO. You have a relatively small, dark green subject matter with a large bright background. While the colors in the background are pretty, they are competing with the new bud. I think I would have tried a different angle and/or used the dodge and burn tools (if permitted in this challenge) to strengthen the bud and diminish the background. Things that I like are the sharp focus on the bud (right down to the little nodules on the stem) and the lighting on the bud. I think a vertical cropping might help since your bud is a vertical object (the horizonal picture does not support the 'direction' of the primary subject, whereas a verticle picture might).

The Old Barn and I
by nards656

Comment:
I always find this kind of picture difficult. You've done well. The lighting on the barn wood is good. I can see alot of detail in what is an obviously dark location. However, the grass in the background seems too light or washed out to me (the trees are better). I know the grass is a light color, which makes it tough, but I think the picture would be even better if there was not so much contrast between the barn interior and the grass. As for putting yourself in the picture, the pose you are striking tends to make the photo a 'snapshot' rather than a natural composition. If you were doing something that suggested that a person belongs in the picture (perhaps working with a shovel, fixing an old wagon wheel, or whatever) I think you would have strengthened your composition. I don't object to having you in the picture, it gives a focal point to an attractive setting. Overall, though, I think you did a good job (I know I wrestle with the same issues in my photos).

Available, first month free
by ericwoo

Comment:
First, I love the title! I had to chuckle and it helped establish the subject of the picture (a bird house instead of simply a hole in some wood). Next I noticed, and appreciated, the DOF with the blurring of the background setting off the bird house. I even like the fact that the leaves in the lower right corner are somewhat in focus (albeit softly). I did find the tree branch a little distracting, but perhaps there is nothing you could have done about that.

Derailed
by Louis

Comment:
This is a clever idea well executed. I like the perspective established by the lines where trees meet sky. They vortex in a point that leads right to the toy. I don't know if that was intentional, but it works for me. I also like the tilt to the picture. It adds movement to the now derailed train/toy. This is a very good example of desaturating a picture - especially graying out the sky while keeping the blue in the toy. I hope Alex had as much fun that day as you did.

Prickly new cactus buds
by Melethia

Comment:
This is a good macro. I like the diagonal composition and the light/dark divide that it creates. It's hard for me to say how I would improve on it (first of all, I probably couldn't improve upon it, but that is a skill problem I have to deal with). Perhaps if the dark were a little darker, there would be more 'punch' to this shot. The focus is certainly sharp and the photo is well done. (BTW in the first instant I saw this shot - before I recognized what it was - I thought the little critter was following the big critter. LOL.)