Dancing Softly
by paganini

Comment:
This is quite a disjointed composition (and not overtly soft), although the subject is quite warming. The scene is quite chaotic which is not aided by a tilted horizon and cropped birds on the right.

I'd have made this portrait, straightened it up, cropped a little on the left and just left of the third bird from the right, making the squabbling birds more of a focal point. There's a good test to see how relevant the peripheral sections of your shots are. Try hiding the main feature and see if they actually assist the shot in any way. If not then you probably don't need them.

Early morning colours
by tp-fcp

Comment:
I've seen this view before! ; )

Weirdly your shot is extremely noisy on the right but not the left. What happened?

I like the moist sofness in this and it's refreshing to see an urban scene. Good job, with some nice light on the cars and background. I fear that that noisy patch will cost you a lot of votes though, but it's a 6 from me.

A Stroll Along The Seafront
by brownt

Comment:
Great view though not particularly soft, per se. But, I like your attempt to create the softness without artificial means.

The horizon is a lttle skewed clockwise (note vertical reflections). Good job though.

Double focus in the mist
by Bela45

Comment:
This shot frustates me! ; )

It's a great scene, perfect focus and on-challenge - but that photographer ruins it!! It makes you conscious that this photo is being taken instead of being a distant observer.

This could have been a real star of the show (and may well be in the end) but I feel that this person was added to help your title pun more than its composition. Just look at it without - its serene and unspoilt. Even someone just standing, hands in pockets - or sitting at the end would have been better.

You still get top marks for technicality and take on the challenge though.

MHARI
by delariman

Comment:
Good avoidance of the nasty soft filter treatments!

Nice focus and fairly good composition, but it may have been improved by off-setting the face further left and creating some nice clean space to the right. The background does look a little messy.

Bright Weed
by pcody

Comment:
Great lighting and composition, but the DOF is a bit too narrow. I find it a bit taxing focally.

Had you expanded the DOF then the pattern from the fronds would have been more eye-catching and exploitative of the beautiful sunlight.

Nature's filter
by willem

Comment:
Overall this is a pleasant shot of what must have been quite dramatic lighting. I do think it looks a bit washed out and there is little in the shot to hold interest for long, other than the sunrays.

It's my kind of soft focus though, so well done for avoiding the net curtains or vaseline!

Winter will be here soon...
by Kaja Lund

Comment:
The space in this shot could have been enhanced with an off-centre composition that would increase the perception of isolation of the subjects. I really like it, but as a design it is just too central.

However, it's beautifully lit, well shot, crisp and a welcome respite to the filter brigade.

You are never alone
by Dufus

Comment:

Originally posted by amateurboi: 2 and 3 for this?? They must be kidding!

Oh yeah - that's one sick sense of humour (get used to it though). This is stunning.

GUESS What I Found?
by GeneralE

Comment:
... the self-destruct button?