That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment by grahamgator:
A beauty, you have a way with children. Congrats!

That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment by ErinKirsten:
I loved this one in the challenge - I am one of your very many many 8's!! Red and Green . . . . so perfectly classic! I love that there were hints of red/orange in the foliage to help meld it all together.

Eye contact
by Neat

Comment by noraneko:
One of my favorites. Nice eye contact.

That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment by streetpigeon:
And I understand your points, too, Anita, Roz and Catherine. Sometimes my preferences get tangled with rigidity.

That's the way it was
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Comment by Ammie:
Gorgeous of course

That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment by noraneko:
Anita, this is simply beautiful. Although I understand Rich̢۪s point about the red dress and it may not be to everyone̢۪s taste, to me it adds to the richness and depth in this image. I think it is nicely rounded out by the subtle red flowers in the foreground.

That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment by roz:
i find it interesting that some commenters see the 'unnaturalness' of some images .. not having a go at you at all Rich .. because i know exactly what you mean ..

so unless we take a totally candid shot there is often a degree of 'setting up' .. placing things as we want them .. posing ppl .. putting them in particular clothing .. etc etc ..

and if we did some or all of the above the challenge is to create natural out of unnatural ..

i find that challenging myself ... fortunately its rarely i get to dress, pose or set up shots in my life .. but if i did i reckon i'd fail miserably at making the resulting image look authentic and natural ..

your photo Anita .. altho the little girl is dressed obviously for the occasion .. seems to have bypassed the inauthentic look and takes me back to a time gone by .. another example of your brilliance .. :)

That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment by roz:
especially precious ..
i'm absolutely loving your edit with the mirroring of the red dress colour in the sky .. makes me feel she's like a little spirit looking up into 'heaven' ..
the raised arm .. gives another element .. almost like the beginnings of a wave of recognition ..
so .. lol .. how wonderful photographs are ... we can imbue them with whatever our hearts desire ..
well some photographs that is .. and this is one of them .
beautiful Anita .. you are one of my favourite photographers ..
of course i have a few .. i get around .. haha .. xx

That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment by streetpigeon:
Lovely. Seems out of a fairy tale, within which magic is a commonplace. The focus on the near middle ground enhances this feeling. Beautiful sea and sky.
I do, however, have a quibble. The little girl's red outfit is, for me, kind of jarring and pat, not really natural. A point higher if it had been otherwise.
Personal second co-favorite of the challenge.

Where the streets have no names
by Neat

Comment by posthumous:
Brava, love this.