A Time to Laugh
by GIS_boy

Comment:
The initial impression was that this was way to dark to be truly effective, but on comment review, the mood is directly related to the black and the very subtle white tones just compliment the over all effect. Crisp and sharp, the natural expression and body posture conveys a sense of good will and thus is very effective. Originally rated a 9, the image has been bumped to a 10 as this viewer feels this should properly be a top ten image if not a ribbon contender. Well done.

TEA Party Cheerleader
by eaglebeck

Comment:
The soft focus detracts from a very good look at a national event. While it's significantly flawed technically (focus mostly), the candid artistic impact is positive and interesting. Well done.

Pensive Vintage Trolley
by kris_photos

Comment:
This very effective casual portrait exemplifies the nature of candid photography and capture the mood and introspection of the moment. A great capture illustrating a thoughtful moment. This should place very high in the competition. Well done.

Degrees of Separation
by raish

Comment:
An intriging title and effective image is very impressive - the author did well to capture a scene using the tools of reflectivel light. It is a very busy image which detracts somewhat from it's immediate impact, but the over all technical success affects the artistic impact in a positive way. A very good entry into the challenge it should place high.

s a d
by bnilesh

Comment:
Very crisp and precise, this is an amazing image that has just one minor technical flaw - the light reflections in the eyes. This would have been much more effective if less light was used in composing the image or perhaps if the light were more indirect reducing the reflection. This minor technical issue affects the emotional impact of the image greatly and not in a positive way. If that had been properly controlled, this would have had great impact and been a very strong contender for a top prize - as it is, it will certainly be a top ten image.

Makkah
by HighNooner

Comment:
An intriguing look into a rite of passage for Muslims and a location where non-Muslims are not allowed. Very interesting and for most unique. The image has an interesting monotone overlay with white being ever so slighting on the side of being over done which adds drama and interest to the image. A very effective demonstration of contrast control, this image is a technical success. Not quite an artistic success, it does do it's job of portraying a holy rite. Well done.

Connecting People
by marvin

Comment:
A very nice image and a good observation of the author's surroundings - not quite a "candid" although it could be viewed that way. It's very pleasant to look at. The sun is over done and blown out, but in some ways, that is a plus. The author might want to revisit this image at some point and tinker with the light bloom using available SFx to generate a different look and feel to the image. A worthy entry into challenge.

It's a rough place, LA
by Pelle

Comment:
The intensity and drama is very evident in this image and a intriguing story could very well be written about this person's life and times. Crisp and sharp with no technical issues to nit pick, the artistic impact of this image is outstanding. A very competant and effective piece of photo journalism, this image should place well into the top ten if not a ribbon winner. This viewer struggled with rating this a nine or ten because of the slightly over done whites on the shoulder, but after review, changed the rating from nine to a 10 because of it's visceral impact. Well done.

Park Bench
by Paul

Comment:
Another image in which the author recognized a very private and candid moment. Using the natural setting to frame the subject, it conveys an impression of a comfortable couple reviewing their world. The very competant conversion to B&W is a technical plus over coming some minor issues with distracting background which might have been better treated with a more vague approach. Having said that, this would not have been as effective as a color image so the issue is mute. An excellant piece of photo journalism which should place well if not a ribbon contender. Well done.

A Senior Moment
by MisterMarcus

Comment:
The ability to recognise a candid moment is the most important skill a photographer can develop and the author has done a wonderful job of recognizing that moment and capturing it in a simple and effective composition. While not supremely artistic, is does convey meaning which is a plus - not every candid moment can be viewed as "artistic". A minor technical fault in that the image could be a little sharper, it suits the overall emotional impact well and thus is very adequate. A top ten contender and a potential ribbon contender. Well done.