Harvest Moon Over Washington
by levyj413

Comment:
Jeff,
I wondered if this one was yours while voting. I gave it an 8 due to very strong composition, technically difficult, and beautiful stars on streetlights. The problem I have is that the moon neither looks quite real nor obviously fake. I know this may sound nitpicky, but the orange also seems to clash a little bit with the red "eyes" atop the Washington monument. Just my .02. Overall, a very well done post-process on a difficult shot.

Red, Birds
by JuliBoc

Comment:
Hi Julianne,
I like the effect with the red birds and I thought overall it was an interesting entry. However, the fuzziness (seems not quite in focus) was a major distractant for me. I also had trouble identifying a focal point - which isn't always essential - but in this particular shot seemed somehow lacking. Do you have any outtakes? Would be interesting to see.
Best,
Noraneko

Gilded
by skewsme

Comment:
This is an amazing photo. I gave it an 8 and in looking at it further wish I'd scored it even higher. First, it's an amazing capture. But amazing captures are often difficult to turn into amazing photos. Yet you succeeded brilliantly. The mist, the sun and the birds all come together for a beautiful, almost ethereal combination. This most assuredly does not suck. Congratulations on your score, but mostly on such an outstanding photo for your portfolio.

Any Minute Now
by JuliBoc

Comment:
Julianne,

Again, congrats on your plus 6 score! I know that was one of your goals for 2007, and you made it with time to spare. Look at that average from the commenters - almost an 8! And a favorite to boot.

I think this is one of those few instances where selective desat really works, because it has a specific purpose. (Obviously the voters agreed.)I also think your composition is quite good, and the title enhances the photo and helps tell a story.

The only suggestion I have would be a shorter DOF - I think the photo would be even stronger if the columns and trees in background were not as sharp.

Great job and a great photo. Go Team Novice!

"Dogs" - Pink Floyd 1977
by daveuf

Comment:
The addition of collar on left dog enhances this, and I find the composition interesting. What I think might strenghten the image would be very sharp focus on the right-hand dog's face. My eye is searching for something to focus on. 6.

Animals - Pigs (Three Different Ones) "with your head down in the pig bin"
by deepfrog17

Comment:
Interesting use of negative image. Mud (or hot pixels?) actually add to this image. I think this would be stronger with selective desat on the pig (though I realize you couldn't do that in basic). As it is, I'm looking for something to "pop" and nothing quite does. 6.

A soul in tension thats learning to fly
by danica22

Comment:
The lighting is great, the DOF is perfect...I'm trying to figure out why this doesn't quite work for me. I think it is because my eye is having trouble finding a place to settle, maybe because the hair blends just a bit too seamlessly with the background, maybe because of composition. 6.

The dawn mist glowing, the water flowing, the endless river, forever and ever. (High Hopes)
by Falc

Comment:
OMG, this is a stunning photo. One of the best I've seen in a long time. The lighting is just extraordinary, the composition is strong, the DOF is perfect. Needless to say, it could stand on its own outside this challenge. I hope this gets the blue. 10+

Dark side of the Moon
by B74A

Comment:
Oh, if only the branches were sharply focused, I would love this. As it is, I find them distracting. However, excellent capture of a sliver of moon. 5.

Empty Spaces
by Gnarf

Comment:
Wow. This is a beautiful image that works very well both in and out of this challenge. The blown highlights IMO actually serve to enhance instead of detract, which is most unusual. This one "speaks" to me very clearly. 10.