Twin Span to Maple Island
by EntertainMe

Comment:
A very pleasant scene, quiet and serene.

I think the score reflects the vast majority of voters impression that the foreground is not bokeh. It appears at first glance to be smooth water, and for the quick voter this would likely result in the low score.

From a deeper look at the photo, it appears that the blur in the foreground is due in part to the smooth water and secondly by some post processing such as noise ninja etc. This may not actually be the case, but it is what it appears to be. Looking at the entries that scored very highly, the foreground brings something important to the scene, whether it be water droplets or leaves or other flowers, where that foreground is a very important contributing factor to the image. In the case of your shot, the foreground water is quiet, but our eyes are only drawn to the bridges and trees.

Dreamer
by neenee1999

Comment:
An interesting pose, not a standard pose you would typically see in a portrait.

First off, the model is very attractive and the relaxed face works well. However, I am not at all enamored with processing. The skin seems very much oversmoothed, removing all texture and luster. The face is cast in heavy shadows, especially from the hands as if the light was not positioned to minimize shadows. The smoothing of the skin does not appear to match the nice texture in the hair.

Sunrise Among the Wild Flowers - color
by markwiley

Comment:
I think I agree with Lanndon...I really like the warmth of the color version.

A fish in the talon's worth two in the stream.
by nickyb

Comment:
A great photo and an interesting modification on the usual proverb

Till the cows come home
by Ammie

Comment:
lovely light

Like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water -- Chinese proverb
by EOSail

Comment:
a handsome little guy - i just wish the focus were better

Sunrise Among the Wild Flowers
by markwiley

Comment:
This is a remarkable camera phone shot. I am very impressed with the control of exposure you were able to achieve with this, especially going into the sun. The details and contrast are outstanding, and the image itself has such life and energy. Really good work and if it was in the challenge, would have gotten at least an 8 from me...likely higher.

awe
by FourPointX

Comment:
A very quirky shot, not likely to do with in scoring, but very interesting to look at nevertheless.

I like the layers of information that are presented through the glass, from the attractive young redhead, to the toy, to the signs and other reflections. It makes a collage in a single shot. Well seen.

Another Perfect Day
by Melethia

Comment:
Deb - in some ways I think it may be a bit too dark, especially in the sky.

I voted in this challenge and gave it a 6. The 6 score was for a good shot meeting the challenge, but lacking in a couple areas. First, I am not crazy about the near square crop, it takes away from the line that you are almost creating with the road and the barrier. Using a more standard landscape crop would have provided more direction of the photo (try cropping the bottom asphalt to leave the sky?) Second, the foreground asphalt is not adding much to the shot but taking up valuable pixel real estate. Third, I think the silhouette would have been more dramatic (higher scoring) had the sun been more behind the rider rather than off to the side. I think you could have rectified this to some degree with playing with layers to brighten the sky and keep the rider dark, but that is just one approach to do it post snap.

I hope this helps...

Elias cooling off
by Denise

Comment:
A wonderful candid moment, a youngster exploring the world with utmost honesty, the expression priceless. This is the type of shot that will be treasured in 50 years, much more so that probably most ribbon winning shots on this site. Well done.