Trio
by colorcarnival

Comment:
You and Joe both had great kids shots this month, but from totally different angles and situations. I like this though, definitely a great addition to the photos for the wedding.

reflection
by FourPointX

Comment:
Surprised you didn't get any comments on this one, Joe. I think it's a great candid capture. The slide going through the head is a bit unfortunate, but it's hard to think about that when you're shooting, as well.

Icarus
by vawendy

Comment:
You've got some great bird shots, but I think this eclipses them all. Quite the stunner you've got here.

Shove These Birds Up Your Ass!
by Venser

Comment:
lol
Didn't vote, but would've bumped for humor.

Mountains Beyond Mountains
by Stang

Comment:
Hello and greetings from the Critique Club-
This is a great place for a shot, but I think what held back your score came from a few different things.
Firstly, the lighting on the scene is relatively flat, particularly in contrast to the plethora of images most viewers have seen of this area. Really, you're up against some pretty amazing photos of the area, and mentally, people compare your image to all the others they have seen of this area. Some dodge/burn can help this (though given editing rules that wasn't an option this time), adding some additional drama to the scene, but the actual light for the area is the biggest part of it. Early morning or evening would likely improve things, just because you'd get more interesting shadowplay.
Regarding composition, I like the interesting take on the valley, it's a nice change of pace, but it also means that the normal visual anchor that the viewer has is changed, and in this case, is largely absent. There is no clear direction in the scene for where the viewer ought to look. Should we prefer the mountains, or the valley? What is your intended focus?

Ultimately, however, simply spending more time in a location in the mountains will bring you improved material. My photos of the mountains have vastly improved simply by virtue of having spent more time there, knowing how and when the light falls how I want it to. Another tool that might be of aid to you is The Photographer's Ephemeris. Ultimately, getting to the location is often the hardest part, and then it becomes dedication and waiting. You've captured a great scene, now you need to determine how you want us to see it.

The world is vast; explore it!
by HawkinsT

Comment:
This is more a comment on your notes, than the photo (though the photo is very nice, as well).
I came to the same notion regarding people flitting about and "seeing" things by flying over them, or going through places in such a quick fashion. I see that the most in people who are obsessed with summitting mountains. I much prefer doing all the routes on a mountain, learning its intricacies, spending time, learning the character of it. I'm glad there are others that are the same.

Kats
by Abra

Comment:
Ooooo I like this much better than your entry. It captures a more interesting moment, the blurred foreground is more integral, more meaningful and provides a context to this. In your entry, there is pleasantly blurred items, sure, but it doesn't add to the feel. The voyeuristic spying here and the moment captured are much more notable here.

Pump Number Four
by rooum

Comment:
I really like this. If only for that car in the back, the loneliness of this would be complete.

rip torn farm
by skewsme

Comment:
Extremely imaginative photo. This is beautiful.

IMG_0680_1_2_3_4_tonemapped
by MarkB

Comment:
I think I like this one the most, but they all seem to be pushed a little bit too much for my taste. I gave your entry a 6, however, feeling that the location and scene was great.