Pump Up the Volume
by jab119

Comment:
10 for concept, 8 for execution: 9 overall. :-> I hear the photo (which is my major grading criteria for this contest), and it's an appealing image overall. The little teeny flecks of glass all over the image make me feel like I need to wipe my monitor (though I know there's not much you could do about that).

Tiny Heart Beats
by lmhr

Comment:
10 for concept, 9 for execution: 9 overall. :-> I hear the photo (which is my major grading criteria for this contest), and it's an appealing image overall. Nice warm skin tones.

"Scream"
by mbardeen

Comment:
10 for concept, 7 for execution: 8 overall. :-> A little more drama in the colors/lighting might well have pumped it a bit higher, but still, very good. I hear the photo (which is my major grading criteria for this contest), and it's an appealing image overall. It has something of the feel of a snapshot (not sure why).

"The Break"
by autool

Comment:
10 for concept, 8 for execution: 9 overall. :-> A little more drama in the colorst/lighting might well have pumped it a bit higher, but still, very good. I hear the photo (which is my major grading criteria for this contest), and it's an appealing image overall. Love the combination of blurs and crisp/sharp focus.

Scream
by arnit

Comment:
10 for concept, 8 for execution: 9 overall. :-> A little more softness in the contrast/lighting might well have pumped it a bit higher, but still, very good. I hear the photo (which is my major grading criteria for this contest), and it's an appealing image overall. It seems a little burnt out/overexposed on her face. This was something I'd thought to do, but I couldn't find anyone willing to scream for me on camera, so I had to go with something else! Good DOF.

must practise more?
by hughletheren

Comment:
10 for concept, 10 for execution: 10 overall. :-> Dramatic; I love the silhouette in the back. Just the trumpet wouldn't be nearly as strong.. I hear the photo (which is my major grading criteria for this contest), and it's an appealing image overall.

whispers and giggles
by ursula

Comment:
10 for concept, 8 for execution: 9 overall. :-> A little more drama in the contrast/lighting might well have pumped it a bit higher, but still, very good. I hear the photo (which is my major grading criteria for this contest), and it's an appealing image overall. I like the tight crop. The composition's a little muddy, but it's still good.

Control - Today's Matrix
by ScottK

Comment:
For what it's worth, I gave it a 7, which for me means:
(a) it fits the contest
(b) it fits it pretty well
(c) no blatant stupid technical flaws
(d) no particular specific lighting/cropping/composition nitpicks that I can find
(e) not completely boring and devoid of artistic interest
(f) doesn't leap out at me and make me say, 'Cool!'

So there you are, an after-the-fact comment explaining my vote. :-> Though I think you can see why I didn't say so before. I didn't have anything specific to say about it.

The red pill or the blue pill?
by hawkida

Comment:
Alternatively, to Americans, Smarties are a chalky pastel-colored candy that comes in long cellophane tubes.

Tried to edit my previous, didn't work.

The red pill or the blue pill?
by hawkida

Comment:
Smarties are a British/Canadian candy that is almost entirely like M&Ms.