- Nature's GEM -
by andrewt

Comment:
Voted earlier coming back to leave comments now. HOLY COW talk about getting up close and personal!!! Geez! That is about as close as I want to get to this gator. Even though it makes most uncomfortable with the proximity, one can't help but appreciate the details in this reptiles eye. I never knew that there was such interesting patterns within. I also want to mention that you captured some wonderful detail in the skin that shows off all the rough scaly texture perfectly. Now the critique (Ah, man does she have to be so picky!!:-) ) is that it might be a little too close in that it is becoming more of an abstract or exporation of shapes and textures rather than a really cool close-up of an animal. I think those details could still be played up like they are here but just pulll back a tad to get a bit more of the mouth or even some teeth to further strengthen the identity of the animal being captured on 'film'.

Pyramide du Louvre
by talj

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments now. The widescreen cinema border complements the photo for it takes on the feel of a film. A ol' style B&W film to be specific with the camera panning in on the scenic street scene near the Louvre. There is some real beautiful architecture in this photo. I like how you composed it such that the Louvre's pyramid is in the center of the shot and as such it dominates and captures the attention instantly. I also like how you have it where the lampposts act as a leading line that goes the vanishing point off into the horizon.

Miss Moody
by K3Master

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments. Oh-hoo-ho! That is one ANGRY look she is flashing at us! I wonder what was said or done that made her so angry. Perfect capture of an emotion - even though it is one that is not normally sought after. Usually it is the sought after smile or happy kid that is most often captured and universally appreciated. But this is an emotion that comes through loud and clear and captures a facet that everyone can identify with. And for some, the reaction to the photo would be to wonder and/or to talk to the child to alleviate or understand why she is angry. When you can connect to your audience on that level where there is an emotional response to your photo then that is quite an accomplishment. The B&W tones are absolutely FANTASTIC! You did a wonderful job in capturing this emotion and in the processing.

Margaritaville. Where Sunset is a Celebration.
by essay

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments. Now I have Jimmy Buffet's song playing in my head after glancing at your title!!:-) Tis O.K. very fitting song for a very relaxing and eye pleasing imagery in your photo. Love the sunset oranges and yellows - very bold and vibrant. Love the silhouettes of the sailboats on the water. Beautiful capture.

Do They Know They Are Stars?
by KarenNfld

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments. Wow! Look at the level of details you can see on these two seastars! It's fabulous! Colors are wonderful too. My biggest critique (yeah, I know, does she have to be so darn picky;-) ) is that I think the composition would be even stronger in visual appeal if it was cropped closer to those seastars on the stone. There is just a bit too much negative space that does nothing to further the appeal of the photo.

Boys Will Be Boys
by smellyfish1002

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments. Heh, yup that is an apt title. When I look upon your composition, I think of a saying I heard years ago, "The definition of a boy: A noise with dirt on it" The eyes are very startling they reach out and grab you as he levels a stare at us. The dirt well, I think he was having a lot of fun until 'we' interupted his play and called him away. That is what I gather from his look. He was happy but is not now. He wants to go back and play. Mood and emotion are great. Love the color tones and the sharp details. You did such a wonderful job on this portrait of the young boy! Great work - 8.

Gentle Soul
by Jutilda

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments. The wind gently blows and billows and the tall grass sways to the musical tune of the air. The ol' girl feels the caress of the wind and she closes her eyes, tilts her head up ever so slightly to hear nature's music. This is what I see and feel when I look upon this photo. I don't really know if the dog is actually old or young but I feel that not only is the dog gentle but is an old soul that is connecting to nature. The expression is that he/she is hearing and feeling things in nature that we miss. Love the colors. The soft focus on the meadows brings a magical/mystical feel to the composition. One thing I note as very interesting is the choice of framework: the dropshadow makes the picture seem to pop off the page. I don't think the photo needed that for the composition itself is strong that it does not need any frame to put the spotlight on it. It is beautiful all by itself.

Fleur
by photoman78

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Voted earlier coming back to comment now. The big *WOW* factor here is the color! Love the bold and vibrant pinks that just pop off the green background. Love the hues too - the springtime green and the hot pink. I see alot of nice detail too with some of the textures of the petals visible. This is a very pleasing floral shot.

Gothic Magnificence
by wavelength

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments now. Your processing in this photo is "outta the park" spectacular!!!! The tones and contrasts are so dynamic you see so many wonderful and lovely details in this gothic cathedral - from the patterns in the lace tablecloth to the gold ornamentation in the alters and walls to the details in the arched ceiling. The architecture is stunning to look upon. The composition does look as if it is leaning but what it accomplishes is it gives the viewer this feel of grand scale. This architectural work of art towers over you and engulfs you in grandeur and beauty. Very well done!

U - Turn
by njsabs

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Voted earlier coming back to leave comments now. Great action shot of this ballerina leaping in the air. The u shape created by the long scarf adds an interesting shape and curve to the composition. What I like most in this photo is her expression coupled with her dance pose. There seems to be this pure joy that comes off the page - a love of the dance that is palpable. Nice work!