Spectre
by dacrazyrn

Comment:
Wonderful incidental treasures in this refreshingly different entry,so reminiscent of another time and photographic epoch.
The dark grainy landscape (on the right) as much as several structural elements (tree trunk and limbs left largely unobscured) along with the superimposed hatted male figure provide both an anchored setting and mood for what might otherwise be sheer chaos, albeit magnificent.

The course of the haloing (back- to foreground)appears all the more credible given the dancing motion blur of a light source in the foreground. Compositionally, I'd wish for a little more room on the left of the image (and in the direction of the errant path of light), which, IMO, would also balance the total bright vs. the total dark areas (?).

A more than interesting creation with a poignant balance between discernable detail and spectral ambiguity, which, to me, translates to magic.

Start Saving for a Rainy Day
by jonpink

Comment:
A poetic capture at the fringe of stock photography.
If I strained to criticize a thing, I'd fault the slightly wide horizontal format as, perhaps, less apt (for the round expanse of the umbrella) than one with standard dimensions.

To love myself again...
by Emeraulde

Comment:
A mercilessly harsh (self-?) portrait likely to elicit more aversion than appreciation from most viewers. The lighting/contrast is extreme enough to blow out more than just highlights, taking away any opportunity for a too easily available aesthetic perception, never mind a sensual one. Yet,

the brutal honesty of made choices here (subject, perspective and manner) appears as powerfully credible and disarming as it is relentless. Given the psychology implied, it is astounding to find that the image appears to be quite well and -consciously- composed. The diagonal lines not only order and balance the available light and shadows but also -charge- what would otherwise be a high key grayscale image. The short intersecting wave (top left diagonal line) adds an almost musical or poetic element, as the only (delightful) softness outside of the nearly faint inclusion of a face.

A slightly tighter crop here (at the top, eliminating the small of the shoulder), although perhaps advantageous to a perfect composition, would also remove the only true anchor (face and eye) of this remarkably intimate photograph.

Considering the artless paradigms of the challenge topic, its attributes have not only been met but excel anything I would have thought possible. I cannot help but award both the stark truth of this capture and the evident candor of the photographer with points, which may be harder to elicit from viewers with predefined expectations.

The "strangels"
by cristiano79

Comment:
The title is even more ambiguously puzzling than the image, given that '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... ??

Message edited by author 2004-01-13 12:27:53.

human landscape.jpg
by grigrigirl

Comment:
Manrayesque.

[The sheer range of trials and interests in this portfolio is astounding].

Ent's 2nd Cousin (Lord of the Rings)
by kebmod54

Comment:
Spectacular subject, good choice of black and white for the purpose, reasonable vertical composition.

I would wish for a marginally increased focal length (or distance to the dead tree) to allow for a slightly wider crop, especially at the top of the image and to the left of the foreground fir.

The horizon, also, runs quite centrally. Inclusion of, proportionately, more sky would, IMO, make for a more pleasing and expansive composition.

Overall, the photo reveals excessive contrast (proliferated in the foreground grass and along the limbs of tree), due, perhaps, to over-sharpening. Given the nature of this image, it makes good sense to me to want to draw attention to texture. Excessive contrast, as evidenced here, leads to blown out highlights and loss of detail.

Nevertheless an interesting photo and, IMO, one worth re-shooting, possibly via a gamut of exposures.

Chairman of the Board
by crabappl3

Comment:
Accomplished macro and a worthy subject (and personality!) composed to suit the purpose. Examplary silky (Canon?) background blur, flawless.

The Tarnished Reputation of the Unicorn Hotel
by e301

Comment:
The well-chosen allegorical title contributes both story and flair to this simple, historical still life.

The very edges of the fork handles appear a little dark on my monitor (despite the 1.8 Gamma/Apple CRT), while the chosen depth of field renders the hotel name precisely and legibly.

I Will Try To Make Wise Choices
by GolferDDS

Comment:
A foolish and impossible resolution :-), but a refreshingly simple and straightforward portrait of Einstein.

Gold Rails: I Resolve to Keep On Track to A Brighter Financial Future
by TechnoShroom

Comment:
Very satisfying capture of disuse in a rare solitary scape with apt composition and wonderful natural tones.

The title feels somewhat -fetched- considering there is little evidence of a materialistic perspective in the image. The exquisite disassociative ambiance brought out in this picture suggest (to me) higher and more transporting ideals than the one chosen for the present capture.

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