"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment:
I saw the photo on the front page (congrats by the way) and thought "how did they get the mouse to pose like that"

Then, I read your story. Oh my! Just goes to show what lengths photographers will go to in order to get a great shot!

Ye-eah, surf's up dude!
by Insomniac

Comment:
** Greetings from the Critique Club **

It is often difficult to offer a critique when a score and a ribbon placement can say it all, not to mention the comments below.

Composition
The single most striking aspect of this photo are the bold colors. The primary colors blue, red, and orange/yellow stand out quite well so the eye is naturally drawn to this photo in a very pleasing manner. The rule of thirds is often followed to closely when tends to ruin a composition. This is certainly not the case here. The head and feet fall into the top and bottom thirds well giving the body a vertically centered look. The inclusion of the sand on the right, rather than placing the body on the right third, adds a sense of perspective to the photo and adds to the exuberance of the subject. The angle of the photo also draws specific attention. First, the bottom up view gives a sense of openness and freedom (fitting the challenge well). Second, the angle is not flat and allows the viewer to understand that the subject is jumping from right to left and up.

Technical
Excellent use of shutter speed to stop the action of the subject. There seems to be a little sand or water kicked up behind the subject and is stopped well also. You were fortunate with the lighting too as it has perfectly lit the subject. Kudos too for having a clean sensor (since blue sky often shows a dirty sensor), although at f/4.5 you are not as likely to pick up as much sensor dust. :)

land that time forgot
by MichaelC

Comment:
Congratulations. Funny story, I was actually looking at this one last night, before the voting ended, while listening to a brass choir playing Gabriel's Oboe. It was a perfect scene for the piece and I thought, this should be on the front page. I was right. :)

St Augustine 2
by Melethia

Comment:
I was most impressed by the churches in Germany. Most often, I found the texture of the wood to be interesting. This HDR really pulls out the grain in the pews.

La Tour Eiffel - France
by Melethia

Comment:
Congratulations Deb!!

La Tour Eiffel - France
by Melethia

Comment:
Iconic in itself, photographs of the Eiffel tower are done so often that they often become cliché. However, this is not the case with this photograph. The symmetry, texture with the clouds, and perfect use of the zone system not only makes this photograph stand out from the rest (well outside of DPC) but also tops this as my highest vote in this challenge. Nicely done!

Photographer in Training
by peter

Comment:
Ok. This is my favorite in the challenge.

Deer Point Conspiracy
by Jutilda

Comment:
Nooooooo!!!! I'm sorry to hear about the DQ!

Always set images to read only.. :)

Together at Last
by VitaminB

Comment:
Fantastic! What a great use of the technique!

Expressive bathtime
by jodis_eva

Comment:
Very precious!