"Desert Beauty"
by tfarrell23

Comment:
I love the colors in the sky, and the textures on the ground. I really wonder if there wasn't more color down on the ground though... Did you desaturate it? I think I would vote a little higher with a tiny bit more color. But as I said, I love the textures. Good luck in the challenge!

Dynastes Hercules
by JEM

Comment:
Ugly!!! But worthy of a high vote. :-) Love the tiny little details that are visible in this image. Good luck in the challenge!

...a new season
by melongrind

Comment:
One thing I like to do before I use USM, especially wth lots of tiny details (like leaves, branches, grass) that are not part of the subject, is this: Mask around the subject so that the main thing that gets sharpened is the subject. That way the uninteresting details don't get sharpened. I think this image could benefit from that. It appears that USM oversharpened the grass. The girls is PERFECT however! Good luck in the challenge!

B.B
by Rando D300

Comment:
Awesome detail and excellent DOF. Great shot! Good luck in the challenge!

Brillance
by xtabintun

Comment:
I love the colors in this picture and love the idea of it being so close up. I have two minor complaints: 1) It doesn't seem as sharp as it should be ... perhaps the DoF was too shallow, and 2) I like to see a reflection of light in the eyes (it makes them look alive), but in this case, there is too much light in the eyes and it is actually making it hard to see what should be the most compelling part of the image. In any case, it's still a great image. I hope to see this one up in the top 10. Good luck in the challenge!

October Gale
by Drake

Comment:
Beautifully done! You caught the breaking waves at just the right moment. I love the sharpness in the details, combined with the softness from the breaking waves. And the colors are awesome. Good luck in the challenge!

Still life with fruit
by willem

Comment:
Love the colors and lighting! Good luck in the challenge!

Landing Strip
by qmdi

Comment:
The one thing that would have made this shot better ... is if the fly were facing the other direction. Animals, insects, people... they all look better from the front. We're naturally drawn to the eyes. Other than that ... I LOVE THIS SHOT. Excellent detail in the wings, in the hair on the fly, in the leaves and a beautifully blurred (by DOF) background. Good luck in the challenge!

The Wasp
by spydr

Comment:
Wow... Let me say it again: WOW! I'm flagging this one for the blue. I'll be back later to see if I was right. :-)

Vermont valley
by pitsaman

Comment:
Looks like a lot of dodging and burning... still, I love it. Great colors, great lighting. Good luck in the challenge!