Old El Paso Phone Company
by tfarrell23

Comment:
Been a long time and overdue for a comment...hello neighbor (Your entry is right above mine). Excellent color, details and mood of recalling simple joy in simple toys. The plain white backdrop sets off this simple toy can phones nicely. The colors and details really pop off the page; kudos on getting/keeping the details on the white string to stand out and not blown out.

Until death do us part
by Brin

Comment:
Congrats on the top 10 finish! Loved the composition when I had a chance to take a quick gander through the entries in voting stage. The idea captured made me smile too:-) How true is it with our spouses having to accept or put up with our photography 'creativity/madness':-) One thing that struck me on viewing the thumbnail (and still does) and also in the full view is that you have an interesting 'natural' triangle formation going on here that also adds some nice visual interest. The mural in the backdrop has the top starting point and then the eye travels down to the priest, bride & groom who make up the base of the triangle. Great composition, lighting, mood/feel, and attention to details. Well done.

DOMKE
by andrewt

Comment:
Congrats on your top 10 finish:-) The prominence of the camera bag, the photographer aiming his camera, and the lovely scenery in the backdrop of the boats on the beach all combine in a composition that a lot of photographers can relate too; being on site at a scenic location and taking photos- You know, this would also make a great product shot:-) Great colors, great details and strong composition. Well done.

Inside the Bag
by gloda

Comment:
Great perspective on this shot! It gives the viewer a view of the inside looking out; and unusual view that instantly grabs the attention. Love how you captured the photographer in a state of action and readiness. He is looking off at something in the distance; he has spotted his subject and very much a scene we can all relate to is quickly grabbing his camera so he can take the shot. And kudos on getting a really cool and interesting backdrop. The archetecture of the cathedral is adds further visual interest.

The Meandering Path
by njsabs

Comment:
I didn't vote in this challenge but took a quick gander and loved this one for the composition, colors, and mood. Those purple and blues are wonderful. The bokeh of the girl and the flower field in the backdrop makes me think of some impressionist paintings. The mood/feel is another thing that connected with me. I have done this very thing of putting down the camera bag and wandered off looking for a good subject. I do remember to come back of course:-) Glad this finished high but thought this would be in ribbon territory.

Time Traveler
by ace flyman

Comment:
Congrats on the top 10 placement Joe! I still think Quantum Leap when I see this shot. Great composition and well done.

IMG_4421
by JokersSoul

Comment:
Hmmm, first off you mention this is the only good one - could you provide F-stop, Iso, Y/N Flash....just so we can give suggestions on what settings you could try sometime in the future if you utilize this location for another challenge;-)

Strengths: Low angle - you really get us in there. Colors are good and natural looking - no oversaturation. You have some good detail on the corner pocket and the 15 ball.

Weakness: The composition is O.K. As someone who has played pool, I am a little lost on why we are looking at something other than the cue ball when 'we' the player are eyeballing it to sink the 15 ball. Lots of noise - but that can easily be cleaned up with a good denoise program. There is another element that is missing here when it should be part of the composition: the cue stick...I think that is something that could really help srengthen the composition and if composed right add some interesting leading lines.

Boiled Peanuts
by Ja-9

Comment:
Just in case you don't see the post in the private forums....

Of the three you have posted Janine, I like this one the best - reason is that there is nothing between the audience and the boiled peanuts. You get us up close such that we can feel the steam rising off the peanuts as well as that wonderful smell of roasting peanuts. You have great detail in both the peanuts and the steam in this one. The other one with the hand holding the ladle - not so much because we, as the audience, are not close enough to get a 'wiff' of the aroma and to see all the lovely details. Plus - yeah - I know picky, picky - but the one with the ladle has a deep shadow that some will say is distracting.

Boiled Peanuts
by Ja-9

Comment:
This is VERY cool - love how the steam is coming off the peanuts. Great composition, wonderful detail, and some nice bokeh to boot. Great job and great find Janine!

DSC_3116_edited-1
by Ja-9

Comment:
With the processing this now has become my #2 choice because the lovely rich tones of the blues and greens I see here. I know that you presented the composition as it appears in real life BUT for me that sweeping curve of the main flower in the center looks like it is oriented wrong....WHAT??? you say; hear me out. As crazy as this sounds, to me, I think the eye naturally tends to notice more details if we follow lines upward rather than downward. If you orient this vertically (instead of horizontally) the sweeping curve of that flower will capture the eye's attention that much more and then travel up to the bokeh that is in back. You can try it and see which way you like it more. This is good bokeh that has nice pleasing colors & shapes but I will throw my weight behind your door entry for it will be more of a standout in a smaller crowd than what is bound to be very fierce competition in a most likely 250+ bokeh challenge.