Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by scalvert:
Hey! What's with the 20 votes below 5? How can anyone not find this beautiful? Heathens! ;-)

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by tfaust:
Congrats on a top 20 challenge. This is a gorgeous photo. Where did you take it?

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by Mick:
Wow Steve! You just keep coming up with the great images. I'm surprised this one didn't get a ribbon. For me, the blue in the water makes the shot. Did you use a filter?

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by mOTiVe:
superb sky, but why did you put in those ducks? The sky and the silhouettes of the trees make a picture that's worth at least a 9, now it's kinda ruined..

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by scalvert:
Freakin' awesome. Should be in the top 10 easily. With a little more detail in the shadows, a ribbon would be a foregone conclusion. 10

Tranquility
by Artifacts

Comment by Zoomdak:
Wow, very cool. Nice capture of the stillness!

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by beautyqn25:
BEAUTIFUL!:) 7

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by Olyuzi:
Love the silhouettes and the very striking colors. Wonderful job.

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by nidan:
I'd like to see it with some of the water cropped out at the bottom, focusing more on the sky, its reflection, and the trees

Paradise
by Artifacts

Comment by jpochard:
Beauty is a subjective thing, I know. In my scoring and comments I'm trying to score based on NOT whether or not I would think a particular subject beautiful, but on whether the photographer has succeeded in creating a beautiful photo. I look for the elements of color, lines, focus and dof interest, lighting, and a certain element of grace and lovlieness. I'm looking for a unique and creative appeal for the highest scorers. The description says to create a photo that makes the viewer think "that's beautiful", so it will undoubtedly be very subjective. (This is what I'm putting at the start of all of my comments, and I hope it is helpful.)

That being said, this has a few really nice elements: the sky of course, the sillohuettes of the trees, the reflections and the water and the ducks in the foreground. I don't see this as a particularly unique or creative photo, but the view is certainly well above average!