The Class Room
by Stagolee

Comment:
Now that is a very fine photograph and a sublime piece of art. Far and away my favourite (in a challenge in which I did not vote). It's simply a brilliant idea, superbly executed. How good? I think is was underestimated and misunderstood even by many who commented favourably on it!

Seven In All
by Kylie

Comment:
Can't believe I've failed to spot this before. It's my favourite among your many fine images. Stylishly composed, and absolutely masterfully exposed and processed. Wish you had included some camera and processing information, Kylie. Really lovely work.

Picnic Tables
by srbrubaker

Comment:
Simple and stylish. This is a very instructive example of how to see the potential in an everyday subject, and how to then do full justice to it. Love the soft shadows repeating on the edges of the tables. I'd have probably gone B&W with this, and I'd have been wrong. A good part of the charm is in the fragile blue tints in the snow, blanketing the robust browns and mushroom colours of the table/seat structures.

Three Boats
by srbrubaker

Comment:
This is perhaps my favourite of all your excellent images. There may be technically superior or conceptually bolder photographs in your portfolio, but for me this one has a charm and a quiet elegance that is immensely satisfying. The composition is a beautiful example of balanced asymmetry ... the inclusion of the bit of jetty structure in the corner, the positioning and attitude of the three boats (and their reflected images), and the distribution of the tonal range on the water surface, all together create an easy, effortless whole that conceals the care that I suspect went into its creation. Bravo!

Escape to the 'Burbs
by srbrubaker

Comment:
Whimsical and wicked. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of the base of what I assume is a big, awful power pylon, framing the dreary echelon of identical houses. Nicely observed and executed example of the photograph as social commentary.

Silver Skeletons, Red Dress
by srbrubaker

Comment:
Again your talent for spotting textural and tonal harmony is demonstrated. The colours are also lovely, of course, and will justifiably attract attention (including mine), but it is the interplay of tones and textures that I think ultimately gives the thoughful viewer the most pleasure, and elevates this image to something rather more than just a beautiful nature study. And your title is perfect.

Leonidas
by srbrubaker

Comment:
In spite of my usual indifference to photographs of flowers (don't know why), I do like this. The composition is good, but what really got my attention is the waves of tonal variation that wash diagonally through the image, supported by your chosen depth of field. This seems to me to present the rose to its greatest advantage, and suggests that you know your subject pretty well.

Stairs at Maine Maritime Museum
by srbrubaker

Comment:
An irresistible subject, but that doesn't mean it was easy! You've got pretty much a full tonal range here, with satisfying detail at every point. I'm not one who considers that to be essential, but it does usually mean there's a wealth of interest in the image, and that is certainly the case here. It rewards a few minutes' study. I'm not at all bothered by the presence of a lateral perspective effect, narrowing towards the right ... your point-of-view was well chosen to capture the interesting light detail of the underside of the steps, and so was well worth risking the wrath of the perspective police. Nice, harmonious composition and processed with sympathy for the simple elegance of the subject.

Three Silos
by srbrubaker

Comment:
The composition/crop is spirited, the textures are wonderful and the effect is striking. I have not seen such a bold use of USM pixel range before ... whenever I've tried it experimentally, the results have been quite awful. Which just reinforces for me what a very fine image this is. I applaud both your vision in realising what was there and your confidence in demonstrating it.

Road to Nowhere
by aboutimage

Comment:
One of my all-time favourite road shots, and I love road shots! The composition is great, the tonal range is spot on, and I DO like the little road sign. I smile each time I look at this image.