Rest
by Tiberius

Comment:
A splendid capture of what can clearly be seen as a character piece, this image doesn't suffer any technical issues that are immediately noticable. From an artistic standpoint, the author might have wanted to use a little closer focus to enhance the natural friendly features of the subject and the right detail of her clothes and basket. Just on the edge of being a complete technical and artistic success. A solid entry into the challenge. Well done.

Staring out at the world
by seraphkz

Comment:
Children are sometimes considered by "artistic dilettantes" to be the easiest subject in the world to capture, but that's not true - it has to be the righ moment in the right setting to be truly convincing. There are times when the simple things fascinate our little ones and they become more than casual observers of their world - this image captures that interest perfectly with an excellant composition. Originally, this reviewer voted this an eight because of a perceived technical issue, but on review, this viewer was clearly mistaken and will rerate it a 10. It is near perfect technically with vaguely detailed background and crisp sharp focus - the color combinations are excellant and effective. From an artistic stanpoint, it is a cut above the average submission in this challenge with top ten potential. Well done.

Reading Donuts
by jaysonmc

Comment:
A sound and solid entry into the challenge a conceptual standpoint, this is technically a flawed image with the flat background and shooting into the light which creates too much of a contrast dynamic. The image it could do with a little more contrast to really make it pop and give it some wow factor which would have been accomplished by taking a different angle or waiting for a little better lighting situation. Another choice would have been to use a fill flash to increase the details in the darker areas. Having said that, from the standpoint of the challenge subject, it is very effective, but not overly artistic again lacking pop and wow factor. It is a good illustration of a candid moment though. A solid entry into the challenge.

The Lesson
by teacherphoto

Comment:
A sound and solid entry into the challenge, this is technically a great image - crisp and sharp with nothing over done or over whelming. The slightly flat conversion is a negative and it could do with a little more contrast to really make it pop and give it some wow factor. Having said that, from the standpoint of the challenge subject, it is very effective, but not overly artistic again lacking pop and wow factor. It is a good illustration of a candid moment though - it's a very hard image to rate properly, but this viewer thinks that with the technical and artistic combination it is a solid eight and if there were a way to make it an 8.5, that would be a better ratings choice. A solid entry into the challenge.

Body Language
by Pixelstate

Comment:
A pure candid moment effectively captured, rich in detail with a very convincing sense of depth and dimension. Originally, this reviewer had a less than positive reaction to the image while making the ratings pass as it seemed to be less of an effort than some of the more spectacular candid images submitted in this challenge and it was rated at an eight. After initiating the comment review, this reviewer was clearly mistaken in that impression and thus has rerated the image to a nine. The slight technical issues with the direct back lighting effect creating odd highlights on the left hand subject's face and the "halo" effect that led to an initial impression of over sharpening are not sufficiently negative as was first assumed. From an artistic standpoint, this could very well be an advertising image. A worthy entry into the challenge.

Focus
by purpleflutterby13

Comment:
A candid action portrait that is purposeful and intense, the image just seems to lack the artistic impact needed to elevate it to the level of the other images in this incredibly exceptional competition. From a technical standpoint, this is well done with a vaguely detailed background complimenting the crisp sharp imagery of the subject. From an artistic standpoint, it lacks "something" to give it the necessary pop and wow factor. Perhaps it's a little too precise in particular with capturing the ball in mid air - it might have been better to add a little motion blue or perhaps crop the balls out all together. The author might want to experiment with it a little, maybe bringing it out to black and white or grayscale which might help. A worthy and solid entry into the challenge, it falls just sort of being outstanding.

Hope
by Lore

Comment:
Simple is only another way to describe perfection and this elegant and compelling image of older folks obviously, both lovers and friends, walking into the darker walkway is unbelievably impressive. The author has captured a moment in time that all of us face eventually and this pair is doing so with complete faith in each other. Originally rated an eight, upon review, this was a mistake on the part of the reviewer and has been rerated a 10 for it's unbelievable romantic, technical and artistic impact. An incredible effort on the part of the author and it would be a complete injustice if this didn't win the blue ribbon. Very well done and a personal favorite.

Unemployed
by Runzamukk

Comment:
A powerful and compelling composition - a sound and dynamic image in the best tradition of photo journalism. A candid image like this should tell a story and this image certainly does that. During the first run through for rating, this viewer thought it had a minor technical flaw, but on comment review, this was a mistaken impression. Rerated to a 10, this image should place high in the competition if not a ribbon winner. An excellant photo.

Peek-a-Boo
by tanguera

Comment:
Laugh out loud moments are always appreciated and the perfect capture of the playful child peeking through the handles is highly amusing and very effective - it's a pleasure to view a child acting in an uninhibited way. Technically competant with pleasing colors and crisp, sharp details only enhance an already effective composition. Well done.

Happier Times
by elizadeb

Comment:
A complete artistic success, this image is negatively affected by being over sharpened which is immediately noticable in particular around the edges of the subject and the subject's hat. This only increases the rather flat colors of the subject. A little more time taken while composing would have only benefitted this image positively. While there are some very noticable technical flaws, the artistic impression over comes these flaws in a very effective presentation. Well done.