Cinco de Mayo, 2005 — 5 green, 5 Red, 5 Sprigs
by Bear_Music

Comment by Bear_Music:
This is a real suprise. I never dreamed 6.3x would make top 10.

For those who commented about the garish or oversaturated reds, I'd agree they ARE garish, but I'd point out the greens are equally hpersaturated. The goal was to make an explosion of color, a "fiesta" feeling if you will.

For those who commented about the "flatness" of the red, you're absolutely correct. The surfaces of the red peppers were not as smooth as they should have been, and they were throwing ugly specular highlights around. I couldn't match the highlights of the firm, green peppers without possibly illegal cloning and brushing, so I just smoothed the reds out in Neat Image. I tried to find better peppers to reshoot, but no luck. I could find smooth LONG red peppers, but I wanted the cherry peppers and this was the best I could find.

Thanx all for commenting.

Cinco de Mayo, 2005 — 5 green, 5 Red, 5 Sprigs
by Bear_Music

Comment by Neil:
Great color combination and composition. Congrats on 10th!

Cinco de Mayo, 2005 — 5 green, 5 Red, 5 Sprigs
by Bear_Music

Comment by saracat:
Nice composition, interesting choice of subject. Good clarity, nice lighting. Reds are blindingly oversaturated.

Cinco de Mayo, 2005 — 5 green, 5 Red, 5 Sprigs
by Bear_Music

Comment by Nitin:
Nice composition

Cinco de Mayo, 2005 — 5 green, 5 Red, 5 Sprigs
by Bear_Music

Comment by L2:
Vivid colors and lots of visual interest. The red border is distracting. Overall, a very good shot.

Pilgrim First Congregationalist Church
by Bear_Music

Comment by PhotoRyno:
looks a bit over sharpened

Guardian
by Bear_Music

Comment by clarmore:
I'm very disappointed to see this shot so far down the ranks! I scored it a 9. Great shot! And excellent post processing! (btw, I thought it was a potatoe, not a rock, haha)

Guardian
by Bear_Music

Comment by Neil:
Very cool Robt. The shot is very surreal, and the colors work beautifully.

Pepper (Revealed)
by Bear_Music

Comment by love:
simply perfect! 10

Cinco de Mayo, 2005 — 5 green, 5 Red, 5 Sprigs
by Bear_Music

Comment by Artifacts:
Very nicely done still life. Using three sets of 5 is an inspired concept. This should be a top finisher.