The Engineer
by om10

Comment:
Nice, but I wish his face was in focus like his arm and glove are. Good job of post-processing with the B/W tone.

2852 Locomotion
by hideout

Comment:
Good idea. Greater impact would have been made with a slower shutter speed to blur the train a little more IMO. Good luck in the challenge.

PC130633.JPG
by shutterbug8

Comment:
Wonderful composition! Most people strive to eliminate utility poles from a scenic shot like this. In this case it makes the photo. Great eye to see this and to capture it successfully.

The Drive-in
by DefyTime

Comment:
A Drive-In?! :) Brings back memories for sure. I think they're making a minor comeback in some places (nostalgia and all that fueling them).

Don't know if you're looking for any critique or not...? Did you consider cropping the right side enough to eliminate that tree/bush and just nick the right edge of the floodlight? It would add a touch of mystery for the light source, and position the lady with the umbrella a little closer to the thirds line. Just a thought.

Glad to see you're out and about with your camera at night. :D Take care.

Clearly Confusing
by keithborg

Comment:
edit - Oops. Wrong guess on the photographer I guess. :D

I like how the DOF blurs the foreground flower piece (stamen? can't remember the flower parts right now) into a nearly translucent state. This works well as an abstract and the color is fun to look at.

The part I'm not sure of is the connection to the oxymoron, and my brain hurts from trying to put the connection together! :)

Well, at least this got longer than a 2 second look from me anyway. Good luck in the challenge.

Soft Focus
by SJCarter

Comment:
But there IS such a thing as soft focus, as you've adeptly illustrated here with this fine photo. :D Nice shot overall. Does seem a bit too yellow to me. Good luck.

Alone Together
by runin2dson

Comment:
Nice scenic and cleverly put together. I think if they weren't looking at each other it would be much stronger for the theme/oxymoron you've selected.

Good luck in the challenge.

Symetrical Birds
by Never Born

Comment:
People really say that? 'Symetrical Birds'? Hmmm...going to have to look that one up. :D As for the image. It's sharp enough. Seems underexposed some, although that could be due to the tones, as the image is a little flat. Needs some levels/curves adjustment and a small shot of contrast to add some extra pop to this photo. Anyway, good luck in the challenge.

Civil War
by sacredspirit

Comment:
I get the oxymoron. Certainly hard to be civil when at war. The part I'm not getting is the choice of book included in this image. I guess I automatically think of the 'Civil War' in the US back in the 1860's. Perhaps you're refering to what's going on in IRAQ? Hmmm...

Anyway. The image is crystal clear and well put together for the most part. The newspaper clipping is distracting and don't see how it adds anything to your composition. Good control of lighting on the reflective brass shell casings.

Best of luck to you in the challenge.

Awfully Pretty
by Gunnsi

Comment:
HOW on earth do you get that horse to DO that?! Is this the same animal that did so well in another fairly recent challenge? I've got the last one flagged as a favorite...hmmm, should go take a peek. :D

I think you did a nice job of getting some pretty deep DOF here and keeping a good portion of the horse in focus. Also a good choice to let the background blowout...it works just fine.

Good luck in the challenge.