Coasting Free
by Transit

Comment:
This is a nice idea, poorly executed. On its own, before the LSD inspired post processing there is a composition here which really nails the challenge - sereneity, harmony, etc. Then the sky is saturated wayyyy too much flaring up those deep reds. Red is anything but a calming color. Add to it that the massive red sky somehow manages to defy physics and not reflect in all of the water it is covering and the sense of realism is shattered beyond repair. The horizon is tilted which always detracts. The reflection of the canoe is cropped off which is also disappointing. Less of the red sky, less red in the sky, turn up those nice blues in the calm water and this shot would have fared much better. 4.

Serenity
by AlexSaberi

Comment:
Meets the challenge in every regard certainly. So over processed as to appear to be a painting rather than a photograph. That said, and precisely for that reason, this shot will probably rank very high, but for me the computer enhanced imagery actually detracts from the sense of harmony and serenity. I also think the composition would have benefited greatly by moving the bird off center. Nice shot overall. 6.

Wheat
by bucket

Comment:
I like this shot a lot, but I don't like it in this challenge. Colors (or lack of) are great, but the wheat (I assume it is wheat) is so noisy as to make for a very chaotic image in a challenge that asks for serenity and harmony. A shallower dof might have helped a bit with this by knocking out some of the details as the image recedes into the background. The dark areas at the top left of the image and to a lesser extent the top right detract from the continuity of the image. Like I said, I like this shot but it's just not meeting the challenge descs as well as I would hope. 4.

My quiet place
by Kelli

Comment:
There is serene and there is boring. This shot tends more towards the boring, I'm sorry to say. The lack of contrast throughout the picture and the predominance of that dull gray is what creates this effect. The waves on the water don't contribute to a serne feeling for me. Overall I think this might have been a nice idea but needs work to better meet the challenge. 4.

Holding Strong in Gentile Waters
by troylox

Comment:
Either a typo or a really ignorant title. Great picture but what an irritation.

Seeking its Own
by dahkota

Comment:
Like the colors and the placement of the rocks make for an interesting composition, if a little centered. Seems to suffer from some focus issues as nothing appears sharp. Perhaps this was your intent. It does meet the challenge scope well as it is is very serne and gives a good sense of harmony within nature. Shifting everything to the left would benefit the way the eye is drawn through the shot and, in my opinion, getting at least one thing in sharp focus would actually add to the sense of dreaminess as everything else would seem to fade away. Nice work. 5.

Zen-Like
by Chinabun

Comment:
Composition is too centered. Would like a shallower DOF to blur out the rocks a bit. Green is too saturated for my taste. It is a simple setting but does not give me a sense of harmony, balance, serenity. The jaggedness of the fern and its dominance of the frame are what detract from these things for me. 4.

Standing Still
by Tallbloke

Comment:
Nice to see some rocks that aren't stacked on top of each other. This is a very original shot and it meets the challenge well. Serene in nature, balanced, etc. Think it would benefit greatly from some additional saturation of the sky and particularly the orange/reds from the sun. A different angle on the stones to present a more even spacing between them would also help. Overall a nice photo, good job. 5.

meditation
by ursula

Comment:
Nice photo. To me, and I find myself saying this often, the bystander detracts from the image. This shot of nature perfectly meets the challenge of presenting a still, serene scene. The guy in there adds nothing and distracts the eye. Would also have liked to see a bit more blur on the waterfalls to really nail the dreamy feeling already established by the light coming through that fog. Composition is great, nature gave you some perfect lights. Very nice. 5.

.
by pointandshoot

Comment:
This shot will do well, I'm sure. Not the most original, but certainly well executed. I've been going back and forth on this debating wether or not the ripples detract from the sense of calm or add to it. I'm going to go with detracts. This image as a mirror effect over that gray gradient would have epitomized the challenge description of harmony, stillness, etc. 6.