Thumbelinaby
posthumousComment by FrankRobinson: Posthumous again? Not sure if I got lucky, or you got unlucky, but here goes with the critique...
Overall, this is a very interesting shot, but more 'art gallery' than 'DPC' which probably explains how the voters have judged it. I suspect that you knew this already so I won't dwell on it!
Technically: It strikes me that this shot is technically very accomplished. Your use of DOF and spot on focus is excellent and the way you have chosed to light this shot - while not popular - is intriguing. Instead of a thumb with a face painted on it, we have a dark icon, in which the white bits end up looking quite ghostly.
Artistically: The composition is very powerful, using the OOF leading lines of the curtain to draw the viewer in to the deep dark heart of Thumbelina, and guess what is actually there. As someone said previously, the curves and shapes are great, as is the BW conversion. If I was to criticise, it would be the brightness of the wall (?) to the left. While this does contrast with the darkness of Thumbelina, it also drags the eye away from her in a slightly distracting way - I would be tempted to tone it down, but that is obviously subjective.
In summary, this was never going to have mass appeal, but it is a wonderfully dark take on the theme which has clearly appealed to those who have taken the time to soak it up.