Adagio
by MAK

Comment:
My apologies - I saw the image small, thought how clever of you to have put a sort of olympic laurel wreath on the swan, opened up to see the join, and voila - it's real feathers!

I am so impressed - I have photographed lots of swans on my local park lake, but never got such a lovely view - and the shading an shadowing show off the feathers and space round them just so perfectly.

Absolutely first quality - you must immediately think of selling it widely - very, very good. Congrats on your picture

Thank you. Thank you very much.
by SandyP

Comment:
You deserve the reward of patience and care - Lovely shot, great dynamics, relevant and very beautiful. What more can I say - Wishing you many sales, many, many sales.........

zion
by deepfrog17

Comment:
What a cracker! (that's English for 'great' in case....)

Weirdly, there seems to be a face to the right in the water, with an open mouth, red lips, and lots of big teeth. Reminds of the film 'Mask', but yellowy, not green.

I love the American Scenery - you have such a lot, and what variety

Unfortunately, I live in England, and cannot afford to travel to the States, but would love to come and visit some of these beautiful places.

Congrats, and best of luck for the future!

...and he beheld a far green country under a swift sunrise.
by DrAchoo

Comment:
'tis wondrous!

I should have loved to see the original, just to see what it looked like before - any chance? Well done, anyway

Look Mum, one hand!!
by Judi

Comment:
Wow!

Picture is great - very impressive. My brother was as cool about danger as she is - Me, I wouldn't go near the edge without a safety harness and a parachute, never mind handstanding - such is life. Hope she doesn't take it up for a living. Future venues for her could include the Grand Canyon?

I am amazed she has the strength to do that - must be very slim and light. Me - I cracked a rib leaning over the back of a couch - but I weigh about 225 pounds, so no shock there!

You have inspired me to diet - so well done with the first picture in your motivational photo series, and the best for future photos!

Kharunisia
by librodo

Comment:
Beautiful skin texture, or rather lack of it - very exciting to think you did it all in available light. I would love to know how to get so good.

You have inspired me to do more work with my camera - Thanks!

The Winner takes all
by geewhy

Comment:
Gosh, Gordon - nice retouch. Well deserved result!

I wondered how the Dutch Press liked the shots - hope nothing nasty happened - you must be a seasoned pro though, so they will understand it was a technical blip.

I find with shooting Raw that I can get away with a fair bit of underexposure, and use DxO to help bring zap into flattish contrast situations - it does a better job than I can - do you have a favourite way to deal with over/under exposure?

Safe Alley
by kolasi

Comment:
I like the contrast between the tatty alley and the lovely well-kept scooter!

I think it is only safe because the owner is there. Maybe he is texting for someone to get him out of there? Or it could be it's safe because he lives there! I also like the 'wallpaper', (Graffiti)- it's obviously been there a while, and so could make the place seem homey if you are used to it.

Mixed feelings - like the photo quality a lot - feel unsure why it's safe, maybe he can't park on main street while texting, or mobile texting.

Good luck anyway, and interested in your comments

Brushes and Snare
by wsteyn

Comment:
I just love these sort of beach scenes - where the waves coming and going show as a sort of heavy textured mist. Looks like a special effect, but dipping the toe in the mist will tell you otherwise.

I have no-where like this, so cannot take this sort of pix - shame

Beautiful result, deserved award!

iBook
by Abstract

Comment:
Very nice image - I see it as the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil - or if you prefer, the 'apple' Adam & Eve ate, which gave them this knowledge.

Certainly, there is a reference to eating or ingesting knowledge, and of course there is the Japanese rice paper, which is designed to be eaten.

Quite a complicated symbolic image, and well done for getting it all together like this - it must have taken ages with the scissors getting it right, and keeping it dry if it is all in situ.

You should be in advertising if not already!

Cogratulations - I would not have been able to be that creative