Climbing the sky ...
by Prophecy

Comment:
8 - I like these types of tree shots, and think this one is very good. Criticism; difficult to say, but perhaps the angle, slightly more 'balanced' or straightened, dependent on tree of course. Just seems like the tree is naturally 'leaning' at the top and has been straightened pp. Also the focal point, I like where it is, but perhaps a slightly closer focus on the bottom of the frame, would have made this a better shot in my opinion, but then you may have lost as much detail at the top, not sure. The color of the sky/clouds looks very nice as a backdrop to the yellow/green foliage and complements it well.

Reflection
by tkjaer

Comment:
8 - Very nice and simple beauty. Water looks mirrored and calm. Criticism; difficult, maybe more 'empty space' in one of the corners, not sure. Perhaps sharper on the tip of the branch, but I think the focus is on the reflection, so might not have worked as well as what you have achieved. Nice soft lighting, A touch more color, whether in those leaves, or the incorporation of sunrise/set, may have added a little 'drama', but the simplicity is very nice as is. Not sure on the frame.

Bare
by LevT

Comment:
8 - Colors and the 'twisted silhouette' obviously really dramatize this shot. Criticism; I would like to see it more 'balanced', either with the main trunk to the left more and more 'branches' on the right, or perhaps centered. Very nice, even though I like the silhouetting, I wonder how this with a 'softened'/blurred effect would have worked. If possible, the only other thing would be if the whole of the canopy, at least on one side, could have been 'framed', may have also made this even more unique.

Reaching Out
by Cam

Comment:
8 - One of the best captures seen in this Challenge of a tree branch in my opinion. I really like the angle. Criticism; perhaps, a little bit more 'balanced', with the 'eye' maybe bottom left and the branch going more diagonally up to top right, a touch more detail too in the texture, would have made this a better photograph in my opinion. Perhaps sepia instead of b/w too, but not sure.

The Complexity of Life...
by taterbug

Comment:
8 - Like the capture and toning. Criticism; perhaps slightly different angle, not sure. Just something to give it a little more impact/drama, slightly darker maybe, not sure.

Mossy Branch
by PixGirl

Comment:
7 - Like this, especially the angle. Criticism; would like to have seen more detail and color on the moss and bark. Perhaps a slightly different crop.

Complicated
by idnic

Comment:
8 - I do like this shot, I nearly marked it down to 7 but it is the simplicity and creativity I think I like the most, so 8 it stays. Criticism; It is lacking 'something' in my opinion. Whether it is 'depth', coloring, more shadow play, not sure. The shoes are a good 'clean and simple' choice, just needs some 'oompth' somewhere in my opinion. Perhaps even in this case, a frame may have 'dramatized' it more, not sure. Perhaps a different background, perhaps more 'space' on one side, different angle, not sure, sorry. The only other thing to add would be that the focus seems to be sharper on the 'far' shoe than the 'fore', it would have been nice to see more detail/texture on the 'fore' shoe, especially the 'toe'.

Friction
by Ekenborg

Comment:
8 - Great shot. One of the best of shoes and 'what they do' in my opinion in the Challenge. Also looks like a macro to me. Criticism; not much, perhaps a slight 'straightening' of the shoe, less noise (if possible) on the 'far shoe'. Perhaps if there was more 'empty space' to the right of the 'far shoe' it may have made this shot even better, in my opinion, but not sure, plus you are restricted 'sizewise'. I just like the perspective and angle, the colors, detail in textures and the simplicity, well done. A little baffled as to why it needed to be validated, but 'it has been'.

Her First of Many
by rd_325

Comment:
8 - Very nice, nice colors, good focus, good texture, background, 'sheet', skin toning, all blend nicely in my opinion. Criticism; really only perhaps wish that bow on the right shoe were not cut out of frame. Possibly an 'incorporated' focus on the top of the laces/bows, but then they do add a certain effect, so not sure. Perhaps also 'compositionally', if you had the right foot, a little further 'down', would have made this, for me, in my opinion, near perfect. Not sure about the frame on closer look, but it is minor. For the Challenge I think the 'depth' is good, highlighting the shoes, but as a 'photograph', with more 'balance' with the top blurred/depth (background, sorry), a really good shot. Very nice shot.

Got Game?
by johansec

Comment:
6 - I like the composition, but Criticism; the ball dominates this picture in my opinion so I would like to have seen either the focus, or the angle, so that the shoes really stood out. Maybe the coloring detracted for these particular shoes, not sure.