Implied
by TCGuru

Comment:
Very sultry eyes Jo. Really outstanding work. The softness of the light and the gentle touch of smoothness and softness in the focus really provides a warmth to this one. An excellent start.

Day 1: Haley and Abbey
by socalsteve

Comment:
the squeeze hug of Abbey makes the shot. I like the heavy border on this one. It would be a great "January" for a family calendar

Carousel girl
by Melethia

Comment:
A hardy congrats on the Yellow. I have been away for about 2 weeks on vacation in Vermont (and no I did not see HeiSch!) and am just now getting back in. A great shot and a well deserved ribbon for you

Please, Santa!
by IreneM

Comment:
Irene - This was easily one of the best shots in the challenge. I am not sure what people were saying about 'too grainy'. I think someone confused texture with noise or something....

Christmas Memories.....
by Ja-9

Comment:
I love Bokeh - and it is a great technique to emphasize a subject by placing the subject in context in a specific environment. This is a key point for the photo you posted in the challenge.

Your subject was very dark and not tight in focus. The background was lush and inviting, but due to the darkness and muddy-ness of the subject, the image did not come off well.

Better illumination on the snow globe would help to show off the deer. Also, cleaning of the glass on the globe to remove the smudges (creating the muddy look) would help make it look sharper.

With the lens you used, you will end up with better Bokeh by separating the subject farther away from the background. If you look at my first entry ever, I used the 70-300mm lens and did a close up of some Ginko leaves and the background was 50 feet away - making the background image smooth as silk.

I liked the outtake shot you posted better than your entry.

Ballet dreams
by Budya

Comment:
Anna - This shot just rocks. Congrats on the Blue! So well deserved.

Happy Holidays 2008
by Art Roflmao

Comment:
Ken, Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Vegetable On Viagra
by photodude

Comment:
the two part background - the red cloth and the white background give this an unfinished look

..is lots of good food
by dougi555

Comment:
Awesome shot! Love teh processing and the feel of energy

...is some mistletoe
by molinski4611

Comment:
A beautiful model and you photographered her very well. The white background is perfect for this type of image.

The ribbon draped around her really works well - but the bow does not work for me at all - it what my eye is first drawn to. This is a shame as I think it gives the image a more overt sexual feeling than the sensual feeling the rest of the image gives. I wonder if a slightly different wrapping of the ribbon so that you could cover her with that instead of the bow could have worked a bit better.