Linville Gorgeby
imranmkhanComment by dtremain: I so wish folks would vote on what was present, rather than what they think it should be.
Aside from the obvious issue with size, this shot is nicely framed, with excellent capture of the flowing water. The editing appears to be very well done, with wonderful color, nice lighting, and good contrast.
Also, this does not look like an easy shot to get, considering the significant differences in natural lighting.
You're early enough into your dpc "career" that one low score isn't going to hurt you much, and unless trying to get the highest average score you can is a priority, it is probably better to ride it out rather than use the self-DQ option. (You can self-disqualify a picture, by submitting a request to the site council. The DQ works the same as any other DQ - meaning you'd be on "probation" for your next 25 entries - which at your current rate of entering only a couple of times a month could take a while to fulfill.)
A score of 4.2745 is on the high side for the brown ribbon (especially in a free study), so that alone speaks to the quality of your photograph.
Oh, and people can't see the photographer's comments during voting - it is too easy to inadvertently reveal who the photographer is...
Message edited by author 2011-08-09 11:40:27. 
Photographer found comment helpful.