Gram
by InnaN

Comment:
Tremendous shot - what a trooper your gran must be!
My mother would have fainted if she saw this and it was her portrait - she is more the heavy smoothing sort.

I much admire the amazing texture of skin you have produced, and this with the soft box. I have to try this myself.

Well deserved ribbon!

Steel Worm
by h2

Comment:
This is a lovely shot - where on earth is this structure? - and what is more to the point - WHAT is it? I also want to know what you did to get the sky to look like that. I have Paintshop Pro, but I must admit that I don't know how to get it to do anything - your picture is most inspiring, in that I know that you must have done something to it, and I should maybe go away and fiddle some more, but I wish I could understand what people are doing to get some of the editing effects - it all makes me feel like a bit of a dumbo somewhat

Anyway, I feel if it wasn't for the fact that there are so many talented people on this site, that you would be well out there with the ribbons, but so long you enjoy taking and making pix, well who cares - you are the important one, and satisfaction within yourself is the key - the masses of others are not so important. You have not got to like pasta, say, just because everyone else does, so think right about your great photo, and realise that judges are naturally more likely to go for something they personally find impressive. I like shots that I could not produce, mainly for that reason - if I could make them too, I should not be so impressed! Anyway, that's my feeling on it. Great Photo, anyway!

Rainbow
by lovethelight

Comment:
This is a lovely rainbow shot - I am always disappointed in mine, as the camera just doesn't seem to capture the richness and transparency of the bands of color, and there is generally a too-warm look, which muddies the color, but this one is very close to reality. I can't wait for 3D to hit digital photography - it will revolutionize many things, rainbows being one to get a great boost, and probably lightning too; I only have a basic photoshop and wonder where the pano tools come in - well done with the pix, though!

Catch Light
by lovethelight

Comment:
Beautiful shot - most crispy where in focus - I imagine a tiny aperture might have given a deeper depth of field, but this shallow focus image concentrates on the important pupil, which gives it more slap in the eye - so, well done, Claire!

Man in the Mirror
by lovethelight

Comment:
Boy, this is a really well-executed picture - it helps as I don't know of the album you mention, but the image is first-rate.

What patience and care went into it - if you don't already, I would consider doing this as a living - you have it all sewn up, so far as I can see

All the best for the future!

Smokin'
by Lutchenko

Comment:
Do you work in a lighbulb factory, then? Or are you changing over to low-energy bulbs? I like the capture - very nice dynamics!

Looking forward to the sea of lighbulbs - (must be a factory?)- (or maybe all the failed bulbs in order to get this gem!!)? You must be an Edison follower - thousands for the end result! (Just joking, of course)

Well executed, especially the smoke curling up - I feel that perhaps the grey in the white light is odd - like the camera greyed out a white somehow - but very nice image indeed. Keep moving forward, and expect some very good praise coming.

Best Regards!

Hoping the Bus is On Time
by AP

Comment:
Gosh - well rescued from the original - I feel you captured in the title the hope that you wouldn't get mugged by late-night problem people. Looks just like Middlesbrough or many other cities at night. Very good choice of image, and completely on-target with the feeling. I like the warmer colour of the treatment, and the improved dynamics.

Well done!

HOPE HAS ARRIVED : Saghakan Slum, Tacloban, Philippines
by hotpasta

Comment:
Lovely photo - I can imagine the children's reactions - the parents must have loved them too. What church is it? Are you a Latter-Day Saint? What do you do with all the photos you take - I wondered if it for the Church's humanitarian efforts. I know the Gospel changes people - I suppose it is true that the World's way is to take people out of the slums, but the Gospel takes the slums out of the people, who then take themselves out of the slums. My concern is always a worry that the nice expensive camera with which I photograph a bad situation might have been better used to improve the situation of the person photographed, but then, who would know about the bad situation? I come down on the side of photographing the situation, and then the response of the viewer can bring in more than the cost of the camera, and more people can help. If you let me know what church, I would be interested to help. You can send a private email for contact details if needed, of course. Anyway, beautiful shot, lovely exposure, good spirit on the day, I can see.

Many more awards for you, I am sure.

Painted With Light
by limerick

Comment:
Aw, shucks! - I could have eaten this apple - and now you tell me it's not real!!
Thats so impressive I am embarrassed! - a very top result - I think it should have got further - it could be used in an apple advert!

Congrats!

Dawn
by roz

Comment:
Very nice photo - Well deserved result.

I was surprised how the spider has finished off with a spiderly flourish - the horizontal line which runs directly accross the web about 1/5 of the way down. It's like it's saying "I can do architectual if I like, not just instinctual. (Well, I know what I mean, anyway).

Hope you get many more good results, and will certainly pray for those affected by the fires.