Dragon Tree
by Alicia

Comment:
Remarkable indeed. The island of Socotra (the source of incense for ancient Egypt) has the greatest concentration of this tree on earth. Its resin was and still is used as a sinecure, paint, incense and varnish in several cultures. Here's more.

mirror
by Nald

Comment:
Energy/Range/Story: 6/6/5
Composition/perspective/manner: 7/6/6
Aesthetics/Technical:7/7
Presentation: 6
Total:6.2
Vote: 6

Remarks: While the symmetry is quite successful here, without any asymmetrical ordering by weight (progression from dark to light, bottom to top), this quiet shot would, IMO, hardly rouse an interest. The resulting overall balance and the tension between the two diverging measures, however, make a compelling case for exploring the whole image, despite its singular, centred focal point. The quality of detail in the reflection, especially in the distorted parts, is a lovely asset.

The title, although unspectacular, labels the photo aptly.

Anemone coronaria
by tnun

Comment:
The challenge closed, before I could submit this comment. It now comes off my clipboard:

Energy/Range/Story: 5/7/5
Composition/perspective/manner: 6/6/7
Aesthetics/Technical:6/7
Presentation: 6
Total:6.1
Vote: 6

Remarks: A difficult subject and genre to render convincingly and without invoking cliches. This image, however, is very sensitively seen and processed. It is a marvelous, as it is. As an illustration, it would be outstanding.

Languid
by Cutter

Comment:
Energy/Range/Story: 7/6/7
Composition/perspective/manner: 5/6/8
Aesthetics/Technical:6/4
Presentation: 5
Total:5.8
Vote: 6

Remarks: The highlights are blinding and the obituary border knocks out both subject and title which reduces aesthetics of this shot to focus on the dated attire, an odd posture and some negligible signs of living for a good while in uncomfortable footwear.

Yet, this is an amazingly interesting image. It's interesting because it doesn't seem to fit at all into any of the several genres one would relate to it, unless, of course, one breaks out in laughter (as I did), which would make it a parody - of what, well, I could think of all those neat genres, I could think of much we have seen between, say, after 1950 and the fluorescent age in the windows or on the floors of the nation. And the weary mannequin posture is quite an accurate resurrection of the languid sadness that cannot be spent as quickly as a paycheck's pittance.

Bride with attitude "In the House" !
by jerowe

Comment:
Energy/Range/Story: 6/6/6
Composition/perspective/manner: 6/6/6
Aesthetics/Technical:6/6
Presentation: 5
Total:5.9
Vote: 6

Remarks: this years' cast for Snow White?

A Lost Presence
by boyhuntsforbliss

Comment:
Energy/Range/Story: 5/6/7
Composition/perspective/manner: 5/5/5
Aesthetics/Technical:6/5
Presentation: 6
Total:5.6
Vote: 6

Remarks: Grace in decay, mystery and sorrow in a journalistic style. Germany?

32 weeks
by Nuzzer

Comment:
Energy/Range/Story: 5/6/6
Composition/perspective/manner: 6/6/6
Aesthetics/Technical:8/7
Presentation: 6
Total:6.2
Vote: 6

Remarks: Remarkably dignified lighting, tones, colour (couldn't be more apt for the subject): a Rembrandt!

past the lamp by the tree
by nixter

Comment:
Energy/Range/Story: 6/6/6
Composition/perspective/manner: 6/6/6
Aesthetics/Technical:6/6
Presentation: 6
Total:6
Vote: 6

Remarks: The image appears a little dark (viewed on two monitors) with the white wall perfectly exposed and most of the shadows blocked. This exposure turns the background into an effective mockup, providing a perfect stage for anything in front of it. The silhouetted railing against the reflected light adds a particularly delicious minutiae to the illusion. The long lamp shadow connecting fore and middle, with a little imagination, is pushing the slumped figure centre stage, as if by a crane.

A well seen and, certainly, a made photograph contrasting the human element against its stenciled tabloid environment.

The Juniper and the Arch
by jdannels

Comment:
Energy/Range/Story: 6/6/7
Composition/perspective/manner: 6/6/5
Aesthetics/Technical:6/4
Presentation: 6
Total:5.8
Vote: 6

Remarks: It appears as if much contrast has been sacrificed, perhaps, in order to contain the highlights. While we have discernible detail in the shadows, the writing of time and weather, unfortunately, appears awash and a little flat.

I would love to see this shot revisited and revised with a little time and care, as it has in it, IMO, the potential for a great and enduring photograph.

The Cruel Sea
by Stagolee

Comment:
A great expanse, apparently pristine, and quite a successful landscape with a strong point of interest in the fore-, both visually and emotionally. The cooler tones caress the fish, and the tide has left a hem of maritime debris from here to there. (I gave it a 6, but never got around to comment),