A plain looking ad for an iPod? ONLY in a fantasy world!
by thewriterside

Comment:
Going through and commenting on all my 5 votes, as I find this type of photo usually receives the least amount.

This comment may not make me popular, but IMO, it's far too reliant on cult-media reference and a shoehorned title. The 5 (instead of a 2 or 3), is there because, technically it's a really nice photo.. but it's still an item I can find in our world.. not one of another world.

Night Beach
by jmcotter

Comment:
Going through and commenting on all my 5 votes, as I find this type of photo usually receives the least amount.

An interesting effect, but certainly, in my eyes, still too much a part of *this* world.

When the Story Comes to Life
by LesleyNelson

Comment:
Going through and commenting on all my 5 votes, as I find this type of photo usually receives the least amount.

A decent concept, but with a few flaws. I don't think the background was needed here. A portrait view showing only the tree as background and the book and upper torso of the child and her expression would have been a nicely strong composition. Never be afraid to get in close. The elements of the grass and bright sun and trees beyond the trunk the girl is leaning against just distract, and your subject, the book and the "animated" dragon coming out of it, are too quickly dismissed. The girl's face and expression, as well, don't contrast enough with the trunk, and are a little lost into it.

Getting in closer allows you to work better with the light metering and other little details that will give you more control over these aspects. I suspect, if the dragon looked too fake closer up and that's the reason you stayed farther out, that there would have been ways to clean that up as well.. (a little selective edge blur can work wonders).

Anyway, just some tips on my opinion of this photo. Good luck.

Sadie
by Bebe

Comment:
Going through and commenting on all my 5 votes, as I find this type of photo usually receives the least amount.

Even given the challenge subject, I feel this photograph has been far too over-processed for my tastes, entering the realm of digital art.

Toxic Environment
by ace flyman

Comment:
Going through and commenting on all my 5 votes, as I find this type of photo usually receives the least amount.

A few areas that make this a 5 photo for me. Poor focus, lighting is far too harsh (waiting for an overcast day, or later in the evening, or earlier in the morning to shoot is good advice), and clarity is really lacking.

somewhere in space
by JohannesFrank

Comment:
Going through and commenting on all my 5 votes, as I find this type of photo usually receives the least amount.

Not sure if this is IR, or inversed, but while the technique works for the result is looks like you were going for, I just don't personally feel it. For me, it just *feels* like an inversed earth landscape. Perhaps it's the smoke.. or the "clouds" to the left.. or the blue glow coming not from the surface, but from the air. I can't quite place it.

Anyway, the 5 is because I like the picture itself, but the "Fantasy World" just doesn't quite connect, at least for me.

Sleeping Fairy Princess
by mystical_princess

Comment:
I have to wonder about the comments you're getting for this lovely, serene shot. Processing is a little heavy, but the challenge almost called for it. The girl looks just a little bit older than traditional "cute nude" shots allow, although I care not about such things.. but DPC is well known for witchhunting this particular subject. Kudos for the conviction to stick with it, as it *is* a very touching portrait. What I particularily like is the almost metallic sheen of her skin. Usually over-smoothed looks like this are tacky or so fake as to be off-putting.. but like I said, in this particular challenge it works.

Good luck.. my highest score, as I'm a sucker for a cute face (as my portfolio will show).

I found the drain plug!
by metoecus

Comment:
Oh man.. I remember this image, and thinking it was definitely going to top 10...

but 52nd!??!?!

Yikes. What's wrong with people here?

Birdie Bed-Head
by Artyste

Comment:
Muwahahaha.. slowly but surely I'm bumping everyone off the *ist Ds highest rated page ;)

This did decently, but obviously I missed my prediction.

but only by 0.4.. that's not too bad.

I guess people don't like Emus as much as they like birds of prey... or, apparently, those accursed puffins.

Message edited by author 2005-06-20 16:27:38.

Group Hug !
by megryan

Comment:
This was one of my favorites, even if it does look kind of surreal.. or maybe *because* it looks kind of surreal.