Flying High With Pride
by yakatme

Comment:
Didn't get to comment but when saw this in voting my jaw hit the floor. This is an amazing shot - all the more that you both had the patience to try again and again to nail it. And bummer, that it was shot the day before The Spirit of a Country challenge I feel that this would have definitely been in the top 10! But gratz on being in the top 20% in a Free Study Challenge - that is great finish in my book:-) Hope things go well and you make the cover - again it is an amazing action shot and would certainly make any observer do a double take and stare at the photo if on the cover of a magazine.

Wild West Style
by edmeng

Comment:
Congrads on the ribbon! This was one of my two tens I handed out. Again, excellent work!

Anyone for Polka?
by Lydia

Comment:
Congrats on the top 10 finish! Very happy to see that this placed well, but then it is well done work:-)

The Umbrella Man 'SPOTS' A Wife
by Coley

Comment:
And Coley hits it out of the park!!!! Congrats on your new PB! Great work as always and like a truly crazy artist you go nuts and paste dots all over the van;-);-) I knew this would do well - and like I said, I love umbrellas (have nine different ones with different patterns and shapes:-) )

"Remove the WHAT?!"
by Lydia

Comment:
I love the humor is this shot! Congrats on your ribbon.

My condolences on the loss of your Dad, Lydia. In the very least the lasting memory you will carry in your heart was his love for you and the laugh you gave him with this photo.

And I take the advice you give to heart - no one in my family leaves the house at the start of the day without me telling them I love them - tis been that way for quite some time now:-)

Wishful Dots
by chipuc

Comment:
Lighting is great and the model's expression is just priceless! The composition just invokes the style of some of the 1950's fashion ads. The pose, the colors and the model's expression is fun and has an offbeat whimsical charm. Wonderful work in this composition (9) - one of my top 11!

The Carnival Prize
by njsabs

Comment:
The anonymous nature of the woman is good on one major front. Because she can easily be anybody, the viewer is more readily able to project themselves into shot because of the mood and feel of this composition. The mood here is nostalgic - invoking memories and good times spent at the local fair where fun and carnival games are abound. The thrill of winning a prize be it stuffed animal or a goldfish was the pinnicle of a day at the fair experience. Winning a prize made you feel really happy - that and the funnel cakes or cotton candy:-)The polka dot dress makes us think of our childhood days - as that the clothes have a fun whimsical feel to it. I like the sepia tones here in the shot for it complements the idea of nostalgic memories. Times have gone by but we still have the happy memories of when we won the prize and brought the fish home with us. My only critique, and a small one at that, is that (I am dating myself here) in my generation we played for the goldfish. For true nostalgic representation of times gone by tis would have been better to have a goldfish rather than a beta fish. Nonetheless really great work - this is in my top 11.

Anyone for Polka?
by Lydia

Comment:
Love the models pose and the colors (backdrop and dots) really invoke the idea of the 50's pin-up calendar girl. Lighting on your subject is wonderful. The only two critiques I have for this is: I think showing an over the shoulder smiling model's face would have increased the appeal of the image. The body expression is great but showing the face in the shot would have put it in the super great! Second the skin just looks a tad overprossessed - it's too perfectly smooth. One can have beautiful smooth skin but not to the point that there is little to no details on the right elbow (the one with the open palm)....unless, unless...hmmmm - wait a minute, this would not happen to be one of those life-like mannequins they use in store displays now? If, and I say if (because I am still thinking you could have shown your live model's smiling face in the shot), it is a mannequin, then you really fooled me. Good work on this composition - this is in my top 11:-)

Wild West Style
by edmeng

Comment:
Wow, great dynamic tones in this photo and what a great character portrait of this cowboy gent! Love all the sharp detail and the textures one sees here. Not the 'typical' dressage a cowboy would wear in a bandana but most definately adds interest and character to this unique man. Love the sepia/B&W for it calls attention to all the details that would most probably compete/clash for the eyes attention had it been in color: the stripes of the shirt along with the polka dot bandana. The other thing that grabs me is his pose - this is a showdown. His arms crossed across his chest, one in a fist and his straight on stare that bores into you - I get the impression that this is a staredown shootout:-) Great portrait work - I can see this making it's way into the top 5.

The Umbrella Man 'SPOTS' A Wife
by Coley

Comment:
First thought - I wonder how darn long it took to stick those spots all over the van? Second thought - a very interesting photo that tells a story and is on the whimsical side. Love the spots everywhere on the van, the woman's jacket & hat, and the umbrella (I'm a sucker for umbrellas). The B&W tones are very dynamic and the contrast really pops off the page. The hat, the umbrella and the anonymous man in black (no face showing to identify a specific person) has many Magritte characteristics. The storytelling quality of the photo also has the signature Coley style too:-) Excellent work on this one! High marks.