Darkness is poverty that cannot be escaped
by jimmsp

Comment:
Very nice. Brings up a lot of emotion for me. Glad I looked at it carefully. I almost missed the figure in the doorway. Nice contradiction with the cheerful colors and depressing grunge.

The comforting glow of a 25W security blanket
by luv2photo

Comment:
Like the idea of the backlit face. It would have worked better for me if the highlighted areas were in sharper focus and the bright lights at the top were not there. I think you did a nice job of meeting the challenge.

Introduction to Death
by RonBeam

Comment:
Not sure that I'm crazy about the composition but I really like the theme. Brings up memories of finding the remains of my first cat as a child.

A Light at the End
by JPR

Comment:
Doesn't look like he'll have time to smoke much of that cigarette. I think some people have issues with the suicide images, but it doesn't affect my vote. It seems like you went to some lengths to portray what darkness means to you. It gets an emotional response from me, and that's art in my eyes. Love the "Blitz" on the gas can too.

Surrounded by the Dark Ages
by janbruder

Comment:
Love it. The fisheye emphasizes the ominous feeling. I also like that you can just barely make out the clouds in the sky. To me it's better than were it solid black. I find the flare at the lower left to be minimally distracting, but not enough to keep me from voting high on the image.

After the Long Day
by love

Comment:
Congratulations! Didn't comment when voting, but I gave this a 10 (which I almost never do). The technical attributes are obvious and have been expounded upon. What struck me most was the time and persistence it must have taken to capture such a poignant and candid moment. Great Job.

Darkness Is Waiting For Sleep That Will Not Come.
by mhommel

Comment:
Man, do I know that feeling! Thought about doing a shot like this. Glad I didn't, it would have paled.

Portrait of a Cement Mixer
by rox_rox

Comment:
Thanks for the nice and helpful comments everyone. I wasn't very happy with this image. The only workable shot had the wheel chopped off. It bothered me and was obviously a detractor. Really do appreciate the comments.

Roxanne

A Crab's Home Is His Castle
by davidbedard

Comment:
This is my choice for a ribbon. I know, from personal experience, how hard these critters are to catch on film. I think the DOF is perfect.

Cleaning the wheat from husks
by Xilebo

Comment:
I love this image and made it my choice for a ribbon. The only thing that could make it better, in my opinion, would be not to crop the top of her head.