From Earth to Sky
by Artifacts

Comment:
The fuzzy trees on the right are distracting. The colors are nice and crisp and it seems that the balloon is in focus. I don't think there is a way to crop this one to get a better composition since there are blurred objects all across the bottom.

I got it!
by silverleaf

Comment:
Is this a self portrait? I don't know much but I think it would have been better if it was shot in an area that didn't have telephone poles and wires in the way, they are really distracting. I feel really uneasy looking at the cut off guy. Would have been better with his arms showing.

Eye in the Clouds
by Neuferland

Comment:
The clouds add an abstract look to this. The ball looks a little soft and it's too centered. You get creative points for doing something different. 6

Fueling for flight
by clues56

Comment:
Hmm. Never got that close to a hummer, should his beak have been in the feeder if he was getting fuel?

Macro-roni
by ScottK

Comment:
Duh. Now I get it! Still, would have been better without the filters.

Neon reflections
by timmi

Comment:
Wow. Awesome job. Really stunning. Now I have to go look at the one you entered for the competition.

FireFly
by KarenG

Comment:
This is a nice sharp image. The colors are good also. I think it would have been better taken in portrait alignment. You would have been able to get all of the basket in the shot. The balloon doesn't look too bad cut off like that, but the basket looks unfinished. When you look at something and are about to take the picture, ask yourself if there are things at the side of the main subject that you want to frame, or are there things that are tall or above/below the main focus that need to be included.

Sunset over Lake Texoma
by KarenG

Comment:
I'm new also. Just entered my first two. This is a beautiful sunset. The horizon is just crooked enough to look like it wasn't planned. Try rotating it in an image editor. The thing about horizons is, if it looks accidental, it looks as if you don't care enough about the presentation to go the extra step to correct it. So either get it really off or perfectly straight. But, keep in mind, there are only a few photos that have enough impact to carry off really odd angles.
Good luck on the challenges. You look like a worthy/capable photographer.

Game Over
by jfaulkner

Comment:
The chaos on the board is good. The pipe and brandy would look better beside the board, where they would be if this was real game. The pipe would at least be in an ashtray? Lighting is pretty good, maybe a little softer to preserve some texture in the highlight on the pipe and chess pieces and cut the glare off the glass.

While I'm at rest.
by jjbeguin

Comment:
An outstanding image. I think the lines would have been enough to carry the idea without any color. It is a kick to get to the bottom and see the blue triangle. I just don't like the blues in the glass of water. A wonderful 10. Hope this one wins.