The four Elements - Earth, Wind, Fire and Water
by gstrotmann

Comment:
Thanks for the "how to" on the picture. I have to admit that I gave it a 5 because I didn't know how it was done and I didn't want to use the dq option. Sorry. You really did go to a lot of work, and I wish I had given it a better score.

Who Am I ?
by gotomarks

Comment:
The title makes me think about how we label people instead of the man thinking about who he is. I gave it a 9 because, even with it's faults (overexposed,washed out) it did make me stop and think, and that's not an easy thing to do. Good job.

Boys On The Block
by Ruud Vermeij

Comment:
I gave this one a 9. Really loved all their expressions, the composition, and the whole goofy youthful feeling. Most of all, I like the level you took this at. btw, I didn't notice the border till now. Guess it blends in good.

FireFly
by KarenG

Comment:
This is a nice sharp image. The colors are good also. I think it would have been better taken in portrait alignment. You would have been able to get all of the basket in the shot. The balloon doesn't look too bad cut off like that, but the basket looks unfinished. When you look at something and are about to take the picture, ask yourself if there are things at the side of the main subject that you want to frame, or are there things that are tall or above/below the main focus that need to be included.

Sunset over Lake Texoma
by KarenG

Comment:
I'm new also. Just entered my first two. This is a beautiful sunset. The horizon is just crooked enough to look like it wasn't planned. Try rotating it in an image editor. The thing about horizons is, if it looks accidental, it looks as if you don't care enough about the presentation to go the extra step to correct it. So either get it really off or perfectly straight. But, keep in mind, there are only a few photos that have enough impact to carry off really odd angles.
Good luck on the challenges. You look like a worthy/capable photographer.

Game Over
by jfaulkner

Comment:
The chaos on the board is good. The pipe and brandy would look better beside the board, where they would be if this was real game. The pipe would at least be in an ashtray? Lighting is pretty good, maybe a little softer to preserve some texture in the highlight on the pipe and chess pieces and cut the glare off the glass.

Almost Made it
by pylorns

Comment:
Umm. Your photo is upside down. I love staged shots, but if the idea didn't work right the first time, reshoot it till you get it right. Or did you mean to have it upside down? If you did, why?

While I'm at rest.
by jjbeguin

Comment:
An outstanding image. I think the lines would have been enough to carry the idea without any color. It is a kick to get to the bottom and see the blue triangle. I just don't like the blues in the glass of water. A wonderful 10. Hope this one wins.

there! in the corner!
by sainaz

Comment:
I don't get it. Would you be able to explain it to me in the future? Is it supposed to be someone who broke in and took a nap, a dead person that was left behind when the last tenant left, or what?

Waiting the night
by bcncrazy

Comment:
Suppose you got a lot of this one, out of focus. Also, there is too much light for the subject. Light is supposed to kill him, yet he looks like he's out in the midday sun.