Dreamer
by neenee1999

Comment:
FWIW - my impression of this is "fake" or "unreal". I don't know of anyone or any context (acting might be a possibility) where you would put your hands near your face like that without touching it. Also, the processing on the skin comes across as fake. I'd crop on the left (too much arm) to just to the left of the lowest bracelet, and on the right to remove just a bit of her hair. There isn't enough above her face to crop down from the top also. Also, it seems like there's something wrong with her left hand - the line along her hand & little finger is too straight.
On the plus side, you have done a great job with the catchlights in her eyes, the highlights in her hair. I like the lighting very much, with the exception of the shadow cast by her right hand on her face - but the overall location and quality is very nice. I really like your use of the turquoise in the bracelets to add a touch of color and interest to an otherwise mostly monochrome image. I especially like the upper bracelet and how it combines the brown & turquoise in a single item - helps to tie things together. She has a great expression.
Despite my criticisms, I doubt I could do even 1/2 as well.

Twin Span to Maple Island
by EntertainMe

Comment:
If you look at your score distribution, you have a normal bell curve, with the exception of the 1, 2, 3 votes. So, I think the DNMC votes really bit you with this one. I would also agree with the "featureless foreground" comment. The issue you're working around here is that you have a very wide and very short main subject (the two bridges). A different perspective, with the bridges at a slant rather than at right angles with the camera might work better - unless you wanted to emphasize the symmetry of the bridges. A slanted perspective would narrow and heighten the main subject.

goodbye
by tanguera

Comment:
What a great image! I think this is a classic case of non-visible context. You know what was going on, but it is not clear in the image, but you want it to be. I think the title hurts this. I too thought of a suicide attempt. Perhaps "Quiet Reflections", "Remembering", or something along that line would work better.

I love the lines in this image. The background couple adds perspective as to distance / size - plus you couldn't crop them out without losing the wonderful dark spot about 1/2 way down.

The placement of the seated woman provides a feeling of distance from the viewer - rather than drawing the viewer in to share the scene, it almost pushes them away.

To me, one of the best things about this image is that it is difficult to use words to critique it - which, for me, is a strong indication that its appeal is almost entirely on the emotional level.

Bubbles
by P-A-U-L

Comment:
FWIW - There is a very strong line of interest that runs through the picture that draws the eye away from the girl. It goes from the girl's head, up the middle finger of land, and ends in the upper right corner. I agree with tanguera that cropping the right side would help, at least partially because the line of the hill no longer ends in the upper right corner, weakening its visual pull. The second thing I'd suggest is to end the middle finger of land - by cloning in ocean - almost directly under the small bubble above it - maybe using the dark spots as the edge of the rock or maybe angling down starting just to the right of the red/white object. I think I'd crop the right side just to the left of the far bubble, since the bubble currently acts as a visual anchor for the right side of the line.

every road is a ray of light
by jmritz

Comment:
Looks like a Cord 810 / 812 with the coffin nose & supercharger pipes.

Going Home
by vawendy

Comment:
I've got to go to Colonial Williamsburg - even tho the tourists would drive me nuts!
What a great image! It just feels "right", if that makes any sense. It appears it was taken just a tad after your middle alternative, but the positional relationship of the carriage and the house just feels much, much better. I also like your editing on this better than your middle alternative.
Your 3rd alternative is a great picture as well - so simple, but it connects strongly with me emotionally.
Congratulations on the blue! Well deserved.

you talkin' to US?
by tanguera

Comment:
Great shot. Excellent capture of both personalities!

New York Cheesecake With Fresh Raspberries
by Cuttooth

Comment:
This just bites! Considering I love cheesecake and raspberries - two of my favorites. Great image & congrats on the blue!

Wimshurst generator
by bsluijk

Comment:
Congratulations on the Blue! It is pretty unusual to top your prior personal best by 1.1 points! You've got to be psyched. Great shot. With advanced editing rules, I'd select the spark (using Topaz Remask, if you have it), and change its color to blue (separate layer, then flatten back down). The spark is hard to see because it is so close in color to the yellow of the balls.
Also, I think you've got a pretty unusual distribution of scores, 2 pairs, another would've been a pair, but is off by 1. Only 12 votes under 6! Pretty amazing!

traditional celebration
by tanguera

Comment:
Congrats on the top 10 finish! What were the settings for this shot? Tripod or hand-held?