Träume des Todes
by johnnykillchrist

Comment:
What I like most are the colours and textures. It's a very earthy and sensual image. I am not so keen on the harsh lighting on the skull - seems to be at odds with the rest.
6

Looking for pastures new
by BlueDragon

Comment:
A great image which is strengthened by the inclusion of the two cows. That said, the scene seems to convey bucolic peace and rural life and doesn't feel remotely desolate to me. However, desolate is such a wide subject and we all have such different interpretations of it so don't take my comments as an indication that I'm lowering my vote for "challenge not met" type reasons.
6

for sale
by ursula

Comment:
This is a nice capture - you chose just the right time (or waited for it out in the cool morning) because the mist/ fog really adds hugely to the final effect. I like the foreground rocks and the off-centre composition. I'd prefer there to be no ropes holding her in place and likewise, the wooden pallette (sp?). Overall an image with a strong emotional mood conveyed.
7

Forgotten Landmark
by mariomel

Comment:
Great subject and very good choice to go black and white, and to keep the tone pretty harsh rather than too soft a sepia. That said composition isn't strong for me and I would be interested to see other images from the frame if you took any which focused in on different areas or were taken from different viewpoints.
6

Earth warming
by rhipster

Comment:
Just feels too contrived, though I appreciate that this may be the intention - a studio depiction of the theme. Lacks an emotional impact for me though I do like composition, partial framing by long, bended branch and colour and position of cactus.
6

Real Estate Bargain!
by miss parker

Comment:
An image that has grown on me after some days of voting and reviewing. It conveys mood very well. Lighting and shadow are used strikingly. Composition is subtle but stronger than I first appreciated.
8

Can You Help Me Please?
by GolferDDS

Comment:
An emotionally charged portrayal of desolation which, for me, is let down by lighting and poor image quality. I'd also like it without the bag at the front obscuring part of her hand and cup - of course I appreciate that this is a candid and that you probably couldn't do anything about that - I'm talking simply about what would make the image stronger for me.
7

Left alone
by canonS400

Comment:
This is one of those comments that people moan about but I really do find that the background detracts from the core idea of this image. I love the idea of the stark metal chain partially obscuring the lonely looking child on the swings. I love the way his clothes reflect the reds and greys of the swing. But I really do find that the background park area of vivid blues and yellows takes a lot of the mood away. Some may feel exactly the opposite because, on the other hand, that bright coloured area is like a separate happy world which this kid isn't a part of. It just doesn't work like that for me. I think DOF choice here is absolutely excellent.
6

Why Me?
by johnm

Comment:
It may be irrational but then again there are studies that back me up - colours really do have emotional impact and for me, these vivid colours feel very upbeat. Because they dominate the image it doesn't convey desolation to me as much as it might be expexted to given the pose of the model. That said I do really like the unusual viewpoint, the DOF choices and the very clever use of framing.
6

No Snow Yet
by hjalti

Comment:
I can see the idea here - the desolate nature of the silhouetted landscape contrasting with the colours of the sky. However the telegraph poles just don't create a visually stimulating image for me. Aside from that, I'd also recommend looking at alternative compositions - perhaps having the poles towards the left or right rather than almost centred? Alternatively perhaps a portrait orientation that cuts out the land to the left and right of the three poles? An interesting idea but one that just didn't come quite work for me.
4