Nemo: The Truth About Clown Fish
by KING

Comment:
[fish pl. = fish]

Gaggiano, the banks
by paolobnr

Comment:
Sheer delight.
The black and white gives much emphasis to the markedly strong compositional aspect, while, at the same time, providing a good range of tonal gradation. This is especially enjoyable in the layers of haze filtering the sunlight.

The close and progressive association of pronounced contrast (the water's edge) with such light and subtle finery as evident in the line of trees is very well rendered and, as such, a rare thing indeed.

Due to the moment (! - and the timeliness of the shot), everything is in flux, except the pin point sun. Despite its minute size, it provides a pronounced anchor to a style of composition, many viewers may not be prepared to embrace without it.

-On a personal note, it is precisely the compositional vision illustrated here, I recognize as something I have come to consider as an integral part of my own work. I say this, because I feel as if I am approaching this image with an odd sense of familiarity and a kindred bias.

Because of this, I want to add a few negatives ;-)

â€Â¢ The lower part (body of water) could, IMO, loose a few mm to soften the format and suggest the sun's position lower than it is in the current crop.
â€Â¢ The horizon, if the fields are the measure, has a slight clockwise tilt.

Message edited by author 2004-01-21 00:10:11.

The "strangels"
by cristiano79

Comment:

Originally posted by Neuferland: Originally posted by zeuszen: ... 'strangles' denotes an infectious disease afflicting horses. Even as a corrupted colloquial term for 'strangulation', I cannot, for the life of me, find a remotely sensible application here... ?? Strangles = Strange + Angels. Deannda Does that help? :)

Tremendously. I should be that bright! ;-)

Orderville Canyon
by dsidwell

Comment:
Magnificent and inspirational.
Great choice for a subject, examplary black and white. -(I grow restless taking it in).

A Snake in the Grass
by ellamay

Comment:
The wonderful naive illusion created here is rare, to say the least.
On first sight, the image appears to be one coming out of a box of crayons, if not straight out of a fairy tale. On closer examination, the apparent -flat- feel, however, yields considerable depth. When we resist the decoy of the elaborate lattice work of twigs and branches obscuring a clear view of the ground, the trunks of trees become visible alongside numerous tufts of fern fringing a winding path (?).
Since no texture is given anywhere on its course, an allegory of a creek or brook is equally established, while the apparent birds' eye perspective is quite incidentally concealed by the proximity of the wicker work.

The magic of this capture, IMO, derives from a rift between the impression of an immediately obvious naivity on hand hand and the complexities obsctructing such a view on the other. The extreme point of view, it seems, makes full use of its vantage and has, I feel, laid out a picture which appears to have composed itself. The undulating -snake-, I discovered, leads the viewer precisely in, through and out of the image.

Straining to add something negative, I'd wish for a little less of some very light greys and blown highlights in and along the twigs and branches. How to accomplish this, without effecting that which I cannot fault, is something this image has made me forget. ;-)

> 9

Standing Tall
by zeuszen

Comment:
Thanks for the kind comments, everyone.

> shutterfly: the shot just offered itself. It wasn't taken for a challenge.
> John: yes, although the juxtaposition was entirely unpremeditated, I was lucky enough to stumble into a 'perspective' conducive to it.
> timmi: about one in 'a hundred and twenty' considering the size of my Memory Stick®.

Message edited by author 2004-01-18 21:25:22.

lovely lady
by ellamay

Comment:
And...

it's just a duck, people!!

To be at the right place at the right time, having the skill and the presence of mind to do several things right without loosing the moment...

Don't you love it when things come together?

The Tarnished Reputation of the Unicorn Hotel
by e301

Comment:

Originally posted by magnetic9999: this is so good. i basically have no more faith that this site's voters know what they are doing :P ..

Fortunately, the popular vote cannot do a thing to diminish the integrity of a worthy image. Also, IMO, the score does reflect some degree of appreciation of this capture.

Message edited by author 2004-01-15 13:18:53.

Tableau
by zeuszen

Comment:
Apparently an excellent example of what not to submit, if your intent is popular appeal.

Eat Like A Bird
by tfaust

Comment:
Simple, very silky shot with a well balanced composition, although it might be preferable to have the subject point into the image instead out of it. The focus on the rock also appears slightly crisper than on the bird. The beak, particularly, is quite soft-focused Yet,

a very satisfying image at such proximity. The light is very apt, the depth of field shallow and both colours and textures are rendered strikingly natural. Fit for an illustration, even a pictorial, IMO.