Sempervivum Tectorum L. - (Lightning Protector)
by Milacroft

Comment:
I'm guessing you meant to use soft focus here, but it's so soft I'm not sure what I'm looking at. It's an interesting angle, but the lighting is so flat as to hide a lot of details. I also don't see how this relates to magic or mystery, even with the title. Be careful about assuming cultural connections - let your image convey the challenge theme without relying too heavily on the title. 3.

Fantasy Cabin
by Phom

Comment:
Pretty shot, but I'm missing the connection to the challenge. And it's small - use the full size you're allowed to make your vision easier for us to see. 3.

Spider Gates
by holdingtime

Comment:
Don't know what that misty stuff is. Was that the intended mystery?

The lighting and the mist do create a sense of mystery. 5.

Mystic Gaze
by ruffian

Comment:
Cute pic, and I like the sharpness in his eye and the overall composition. But to me this doesn't meet the challenge. 4.

Mysteries of the Past
by CyBri2000

Comment:
This seems to me to be a dimly lit picture of a castle-like house. Where's the mystery or magic? A ghostly figured would add a lot to the image.

Aside from this challenge, I think cropping off more of the grass would improve it, along with stronger lighting.

So-so pic plus, for me, not meeting the challenge, yields a 3.

Ghosts of the city
by marvin

Comment:
This is a gorgeous night shot, but the ghosts are barely visible. I know, I know - that's your point. But they're so invisble they don't connect the photo to mystery or magic for me. In a free study, without the ghosts, I'd rate this highly. But here, it's a 4.

Hatched
by sangeeth

Comment:
Nice closeup! I like the color, the composition, and the sharp focus.

But given that I see no connection to the challenge topic, I'm giving it a 4.

Magic on the High Seas: A Vessel Named "Island Magic"
by chalice

Comment:
I don't see how this photo conveys mystery or magic. How would I know that's the ship's name? Aside from that, it's a decent image, although it would benefit from better focus and contrast. 3.

Snakes contain magic in some cultures...
by jmlelii

Comment:
Very nice photo of a snake. In a macro challenge I'd vote this higher. But here, I don't see the connection without the title, and I prefer photos to tell the story with the title as a little extra. 4.

Faerie Kiss
by SJCarter

Comment:
Maybe I'm unfamiliar with the idea that butterflies landing on you are faerie kisses. I like this photo, although this close in I'd crop it to zoom in on the butterfly.

But I don't see how this meets the challenge. 4.