Lillian's Cloudy Day
by fattygrub

Comment:
The first thing I noticed was the crooked horizon line, but then it sort of compliments the feeling that Lillan had thrown herself on the sand in utter desolation as opposed to just napping, which the horizon could have easily suggested had it been straight. The kite in the background is a nice touch. I would have liked more contrast in the clouds, though. They sky does indeed look cloudy, but I think as they are one of the prominent features that is suppose to be supplying the drama, they should have been more dramatic. An interesting take on the challenge that is certainly a breath of fresh air from old buildings!

Baby From the Black Lagoon
by nator

Comment:
I think this gets my whacky, creative vote of the challenge! It's quite surreal, and very disturbing, but I like it. It has quite a shocking visual, the black and white compliments it well, although not a big fan of the title. This seems very fringe and it will be interesting to see where it places at the end of the challenge.

Sadness ......
by agwright

Comment:
I love old headstones, and what a find with the skull and crossbones! The foreground headstone, whereas it is centered, works well to enhance the background. I like how when you concentrate on one or the other that your eyes naturally create the dof and focus out the other. The use of black and white is, of course, perfect for the image. Not sure I can see much here that could be improved on.

Midnight in the swamp
by fleenk

Comment:
I really like this. I'm becoming a sucker for silhouettes lately, plus it's black and white so that's even better! It reminds me of a desert oasis, which isnt really desolate but very pretty. I can see the lonliness factor here, though. The sun/moon is a little too centered, but I dont think it would have the same effect had you put it to the side, you would have had to try it I guess. Even so, a really nice image that I could see hanging on a wall!

Rounding the Night
by alternarule

Comment:
This conveys the loneliness definition of desolation to me, which the duotone compliments. The circular armrests of the bench are appealing, almost like a portal that draws the eye through them. I'm sure this is a basketball or tennis court in a park somewhere, but with the high wall on the left it sort of reminds me of a prison yard and I think that strenthens the loneliness feel of it to me.

Industrial Revolution
by crabappl3

Comment:
The dark sepia really ages the image - it is almost like a step back into the depression. There are a lot of textures here, which helps lead the eye around the photograph - there seems to be something to look at in every section. The tonal range is excellent, there is nothing too dark or too bright. A wonderful capture of desolation, as oxymoronic as that sounds.

Abandoned but not Forgotten
by joanns

Comment:
Even those this is a desolation image and the house has seen better days, it does seem very calming. I could see this hanging on a wall somewhere. The clouds add a nice drama to it and the various colors on the walls match the sky. The only thing I would have preferred would be that the roof of the building not be so dark. There seems to be missing slates (or similar) and I think that would have helped with the overall feel. Normally I dont like 'big' borders, but it works here.

Desolation
by heida

Comment:
Those clouds really adds a very dramatic impact. I'm not sure what the structures are, they kind of remind me of the oil pumps out in the countryside here, but they do an adequate job conveying desolation.

Framed
by myqyl

Comment:
I'm not sure if this was staged or you stumbled onto it while out and about. It meets the challenge and is certainly cute. A few things I probably would have changed, though - The harsh shadow on the left unbalances it a little, I would have likely cropped it out. Incidentally the border well very well for this. If this was staged then I think I would have seen how it looked in different light. It seems like a pretty bright light with some harsh shadows so I'm guessing this was around the afternoon time. Slightly earlier or later may have helped soften the light more and compliment the children, adding more of a glow than harshness. Otherwise perhaps having them step back a little so that the shadows feel across them may have been interesting too. Just a little something to add 'wow' and set it apart from 'just another kid pic'

... i'm stuck, and i can't get out...
by timboydwhite

Comment:
The symmetry of the glass is interesting, and I like that it was just the half and not the full glass in the shot. It certainly meets the challenge. I'm kind of mixed between liking this and not liking it. Part of me sees it as an interesting way to frame a bug shot, the other part sees it as a snapshot of something you see every summer. Perhaps if there was more detail/closer on the bug (as in a smaller container) then it wouldnt be as hard. Then again it doesnt really look like it was a staged shot either.