Bozo Wants His Nose Back
by JPR

Comment:
It isn't the slickest (technically) tour de force, but the most interesting image among the lot in this challenge. The inclusion of the rake, especially, provides a strong anchor for anyone struggling with a way to come to terms with this photograph.

The three areas of interest (nose, bulb and rake) might be perceived -or so I feel- better weighted if they could be more centered within the whole of the frame. The margin between the rake, on the right, and the right border, could be a little wider as well to reflect the givens on the left of the frame.

The manner of this absurd capture, so boldly unpretentious and unfanciful, is disarming. What we have here, the way I see it, is a little art noire, uncooked and wonderfully integrated with just the right title.

Guidance in Nature
by tmilob

Comment:
Due to its minute size the image is nearly impossible to evaluate and enjoy. The capture appears to be worthwhile, rich with colour and emotional sense. The composition too appears apt and pleasing. The exposure is plain difficult to appreciate without access to its detailed effects.

I like the feeling it communicates and welcome both title and idea in this challenge.

Transcending the Language Barrier
by lawree

Comment:
I embrace the idea for this image, enjoy the aesthetics of notes and paper against the black space which surrounds it, appreciate the compositional sense.

The ornate candle holder (despite a potential connotation with the 'baroqueness of opera) , however, vs. the retro 'mode' of the inserted border, exceeds my capacity for appreciation.

What is left, to me, is a potentially satisfying image (with excellent technical attributes, especially via exposure) that has been reduced to a sentimentality.

Over & Out
by jjbeguin

Comment:
A difficult photograph to compose considering the physical givens of fixed lines, perspective and lens-dependent proximity to the several subjects and backgound. The difficulties are amplified by an evident slope of the terrain and the wall base. To trim the image orientation to the most pronouned and most numerous lines displayed in the face of the wall, is, no doubt, a reasonable compromise.

Graphically, the symmetry (of both architecture and distribution of human subjects) suffers from this. The capture, as a whole, however, coheres and, IMO, profits from these superficial 'faults'.

The decision to take the shot and present it, despite these difficulties (above) and the challenge to render the two people clearly against the shadowed complexity of textures which surround them) , is fortunate and appreciable.

The photograph speaks to me of age, of tarnished splendour and of youth, so absent from this picture, except, of course, for the fountain.

(I'd love to see a different photograph, taken, say, in North America, embracing the same vision and subject central to this one, to compare it to).

Heel (to toe?)
by birdyblue

Comment:
Simple, commotive, gritty and confidently composed. Given the poor showing of your competition in this challenge, I had slated a ribbon for this photo. I'm afraid your creativity was punished by minds not sensitized to it. Adversity, however, is as good for art as it is for those who oppose it.

A clean heel, as rennie has hinted, would, also IMO, improve the photo. There is faint but discernible haloing separating the sole of the shoes from the surrounding negative space (probably caused by contrast and/or sharpness manipulation). These are minor considerations given the gist and graphic provocation of this image.

Can You Envision?
by Brenb

Comment:
Given the competition, I'm surprised not to find this shot among the top ten. I'm endorsing the comments below.

Boris K. seated
by jjbeguin

Comment:
I like the shot as well. I just can't figure out how anyone cannot figure a connection to the challenge.

Cat's hair in any angle.
by graphicfunk

Comment:
A wonderful image, an utterly unique and yet natural portrait, a surreality.

I would love to see a somewhat more generous crop/frame (with increased margins at both top and bottom) to help centre the subject vertically, which, I realize, would also either result in an altogether smaller subject or in a narrower format. Retaining the portrait format (as given here), is decidely the better choice.

I would also suggest to dead-centre the subject, which, to my senses, is the only choice given the facts of a singular subject with symmetrical forms.

The lighting floods in quite strongly from the side, effectively burning a part of the background (bottom to centre right), which I accept as part of the personality and manner of this unusual image. The skin tones, hair colours and texture, IMO, thrive with this treatment.

The subject's formal pose (a bow!) communicates a grace, albeit faceless and bewildering (the mane!). The mystery created here is, I imagine, regarding ten delectable toes.

Devil-ish Attutude
by debitipton

Comment:
Simple fun, a little frivolous, but well executed. The only 'evil' part of this image are a few pronounced highlights reflected from (what else but) the horns. The composition is perfect, the uniformly white background very apt.

The mood is light and the image infectously entertaining.

Stabbing Glare
by JPR

Comment:
This is a very engaging photograph and a strong showing in this challenge, which leaves much room and little cause for critics concerned with the technical.

What does concern me a little, is the missed opportunity for a more 'charged' and less 'descriptive' title. The subject's poignantly charismatic, almost iconic presence in this stinging portrait, his whole pose, demeanour, attitude and placement in this unlikely environment evokes worlds, one of which I would have loved to see named.