a CALM STORMY evening in Africa...
by ralton

Comment:
Do people really use that phrase? Calm Stormy... Hmmm. Oh well, if they do I guess this image fits. :D This is a tough image to comment on. It's interesting to look at. The interest is in the giraffe, but unfortunately the giraffe is underexposed. Looking at the scene I don't know how you could add any light without a flash - remote flash maybe? Probably not. I would take this image and turn it into a straight silhouette. I think it would be pretty strong in that format. All JMO of course. :D Good luck in the challenge.

Living Fossil
by d95vette

Comment:
That's certainly alive, for sure! :D Some minor issues from where I'm sitting while viewing this photo. 1) Grainy 2) Oversharpened 3) Eye isn't sharply focused 4) Color feels a little over saturated. Hopefully you'll share the original and camera settings for additional feedback after the challenge is over? Take care.

The other side...of me
by helder

Comment:
Cute take on the challenge. The image, to me, seems a bit grainy and slightly overexposed on the highlights. I like the way you've framed (composed) it with the dragonfly wings forming a wide, inverted V. Good luck in the challenge.

Static Explosion
by orvaratli

Comment:
Hope you got out of the way when it became a Dynamic Explosion! :D The colors are really coming out nice with the overcast sky and your post-processing. Good luck in the challenge.

There was a "clear blur" effect in the picture
by ho0joker

Comment:
Huh? Interesting macro shot, but not getting the connection to any oxymoron. Sorry. Good luck.

accidental composition
by agenkin

Comment:
Not familiar with this as an oxymoron. Seems more like a mistake, like a hipshot that missed the mark. :D Oh well, best of luck to you in the challenge.

Street Road
by Rompy

Comment:
Wonderful find and the image is in good shape technically. I really like the blue sky and clouds in the background. Nice and simple. That's good for this image - anything else would be distracting from the subject. The one problem I see is the placement of the subject. Danged if you do, and danged if you don't I think on this one. As is, it's very centered. Some will like that. Many won't I'm afraid. That cloud in the background...it has a nice diagonal line to it. If the sign was positioned a little lower (meaning you would have had to elevate yourself), and to the right in relation to that background cloud it would be a stronger presentation IMO.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm nitpicking, but it's the minor details that can really move (or lower) a photo in these challenges.

Best of luck to you.

Act Naturally
by MeGoobie

Comment:
Wow. This looks surreal. Kind of like cutout art or something. The hand and face kind of blend some with the background yet the eyes just jump out. How'd you do that (without selective editing)? Cool effect (like one of those movies where you see the eyes moving in a painting. :) Good luck in the challenge.

Sure Bet
by David1411

Comment:
Well, did you win? :D It was a sure thing right? He-he. Very nice job of putting the oxymoron together with an appropriate image. Finding that not a common circumstance in voting this challenge thus far.

Very well captured photo. Nice composition. I like the shallower DOF. Well focused with good bright colors and lighting. I hope you do well with this. My top pick for the challenge at this point. Good luck!

Drawing a Blank
by jmottle

Comment:
No fair getting both blanks in one seating! :) Clever idea for the challenge. Good luck!