That's the way it was
by Neat

Comment:
Lovely. Seems out of a fairy tale, within which magic is a commonplace. The focus on the near middle ground enhances this feeling. Beautiful sea and sky.
I do, however, have a quibble. The little girl's red outfit is, for me, kind of jarring and pat, not really natural. A point higher if it had been otherwise.
Personal second co-favorite of the challenge.

The Flasher
by vawendy

Comment:
Beautifully shown, whites in order, tinged with gold against sumptuous blues. Can't imagine this bird looking any more perfect. Could be a flag for the Audubon Society.
Personal second co-favorite of the challenge.

Of a Misty Morning
by noraneko

Comment:
Terrific image. The people are facing away, naturally enough. Then your processing begins its journey into the light, which beautifully holds the water, even to the next wave out, barely hinted at. It feels sculpted out of spun sugar and froth, fragile and strong concurrently. A tour de force.
Personal favorite of the challenge.

Illuminati
by rgrenaderphoto

Comment:
Nice title for this intricate, kind of overwhelming, stained glass window, as it might be. It puckishly challenges one to hear its secrets, to penetrate the veil. Fun to ponder.

Where the streets have no names
by Neat

Comment:
This type of overlay, mirrored and moody, beckons one inside to participate in the danger. An inside out funhouse. Artfully constructed.

HVAC
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Such a unique perspective. Looks like an eccentric and free-form labyrinth, in part. Especially what I take to be the aftermaths of rains on the roof. Intriguing, and pushes one into virgin territory.

Sentry
by grahamgator

Comment:
Nicely balanced and graceful.

Goodbye Seoul
by Mona

Comment:
Really liked this, the lines and then the moon; the grittiness, which actually imparts a confident delicacy; the richness of color; the cloud bleeding upwards, then downwards, to mingle with the city; the flat moon. Could be the opening sentence of a transcendent novel. Fine title.
Personal favorite of the challenge - the 8, of course.

relief, then grief
by klkitchens

Comment:
Every so often I miss, by shortsightedness or obscure principle or sense of ignorance about the challenge, voting. This time it was mere shortsightedness. "relief, then grief," by my lights, is a very fine image with strong emotional gravity. I can't see me voting less than an 8 here. I have great admiration for your ability to create this scene, which does nail the full breadth of the challenge rather than being a slapped on title for an extraneous image. Sorry I snoozed past the challenge.

Home
by glad2badad

Comment:
Brusquely charming. An ocean of trees, just look at the horizon. And that house looks deep in enchantment.
It's my personal favorite of this challenge.