anticipation
by daisydavid

Comment:
Yes, 'quiet' is a good comment and the first one you got - I can't add much more to what already has been stated - lovely shadows, wonderful lighting and not a tad bland.

Anacapa Passage
by Germaine

Comment:
As soon as I viewed this shot I remembered the Fisherman's prayer I used to have tacked up in my old boat. It was a 28 foot cape islander minus the sturdy shelter usually found covering the wheelhouse - I fished out in the Atlantic for cod using a Norwegian jig - anyway, this is the prayer and it seems suitable if one didn't know it was a drilling rig.

Fisherman’s Prayer
Dear God, be good to me; the sea is so wide, and my boat is so smallâ€Â¦
AMEN

I like how it's framed on both sides by land masses and the vast sky adds to the feeling of the boat being not much more than a spec.

In and Around Balboa Park week 4 - Aloha Portrait
by Ann

Comment:
I enjoy reading about the studies that inform us of the many feelings we don't normally give dogs credit for. It has changed how I look at photos of our darling companions. Yes, the technical aspects of this shot are amazing, especially given the constraints you had to shoot under. But on to what I consider more important.
The expression in Aloha's eyes are endearing - what adds to it is the way she is holding her ears - slightly puzzled and the color of her 'eyebrows' make them appear to be risen up as if questioning what it is you are doing. Her droopy lips lack any energy so I think she is slightly peeved with you .. her overall expression is sad - anthropomorphism is one of my failings :) It also makes me a complete push-over for the four legged friends who rule my home. I just want to give her a lovely crispy bone.

Horse
by bsluijk

Comment:
Your photo is one of the reasons I like side challenges much more that challenges. It seems in challenges everyone has a preconceived notion of what is an acceptable entry to meet their perception of an often time poorly written description of what the challenge is - descriptions can never connect with all the participants as we come from so many different cultures, belief systems and even though, on the surface, we might come from the same country, town and the like, our interpretations are based on our life's view and roughly one second of viewing and then on to the rest quickly quickly.
It's true as Ann wrote that sculptures don't so well - but that is where side challenges come into their best - When I look at what you have presented I enlarge the photo so that the stand is not in my view. It then becomes something else - a study in texture and light - it's almost completed face is recognizable as a horse waiting patiently for it's ears. One of the most powerful anatomical parts of a horse are it's powerful legs and the lack of legs makes me wonder what the creator is trying to convey .. even it's tail, usually such a finishing touch to the magnificent appearance of a horse is clumped into a shape that conveys no motion - I find it all fascinating once I stop viewing it as a finished sculpture. As for your quest to light it properly, in my eyes, you excelled.

Sunday Afternoon Tea
by bsluijk

Comment:
Usually I gravitate towards b&w but in this instance the subject matter is complimented by the warm colors - I like that the cup is placed a the base of the spout - what a lovely shiny kettle this is too - mine could use a good cleaning before I would dare to use is as a mirror into my world - I have been living on tea lately and as soon as I am done commenting will set mine to boil and enjoy the taste as I continue to be enchanted at all the lovely shots in this side challenge.

0019 - Spoon Variations
by pixelpig

Comment:
I love to have time to study each shot in this wonderful side challenge - It's so enjoyable reading other peoples comments and it is a complete treat to read your description/explanation on what was going through your mind as you created this riot of color. I like the grain when it appears - I love the feeling of depth I get when I stare into it - this is one of the times when I wish DP didn't have the rather boring generic gray background - this shot would be stunning if it was placed against an all black b/g - there would be no distractions and it would impact even more - spoons - never would that utensil have entered my mind - after a long look what makes sense to me is many cars all connecting/crashing at one central point and you photographed it with a slow shutter speed.

Your comment is so well thought out and I enjoyed reading it .. it resonates with me as trying to explain the allure of an abstract is so personal and you explained it well.

Abstract. It takes a little getting used to, if you're not used to it, but an abstract is meant to be a different experience for each viewer. Different, unique, private even.

There's that first moment when your eye is searching for something to see. Another moment of recognition. If neither one of these moments happen, there should be enough in the elements of composition, line, shape, contrast, to give the eye a reason to linger long enough for the mind, an expert at pattern recognition, to find 'something' to recognize. Every mind is unique, so every mind will recognize its own subjects.

I will fav this so I won't lose your comment as it resonates with me - thank you

came back to edit typos and crappy grammar (sigh)

Message edited by author 2013-01-30 22:20:43.

4. Kaleidoscope
by PennyStreet

Comment:
Her face looks puzzled and slightly frightened - she is lost but her common sense tells her she isn't - the light in front of her feet suggest a staircase and her gaze suggests to me that she is trying to make up her mind as to whether she should go down the steps or ....... I don't know - the textures and patterns in her clothes fascinate me .. almost look like fishnet stockings but too thick ..her gloves and hat tell me it's chilly where she is but the thinness of her outer clothes suggest that fashion means more than comfort - I hope the cup in her hand is warm. I love your title - as a child I always wanted to crawl into the inner part of the kaleidoscope and tumble around in the riot of colors - So many things to enjoy in this shot - thank you.

04 52
by salmiakki

Comment:
Oh my, my fingers could get tired before I type all the things this photo triggers in me - as an old sci/fi fanatic I think of how we live in worlds that are separated by a thin veil - deja vu explained - There just isn't enough time to learn all the amazing things possible using the many techniques possible in photography - my eyes and mind love this type of photography and yet I have not grown enough as a photographer to create such compelling visions - so I will be content (for now) to enjoy the beautiful works of a mind more creative than mine.

03/52 - passing moment
by mitalapo

Comment:
I love really looking at faces when they aren't posed - her face shows such warmth and love .. there is nothing as fierce as a mother's love and her desire to protect - just as there is nothing as important as making everyday activities a playtime activity for the little ones - I love how the sheets are open in just the right place to let us see what is a passing moment of pure joy- this is a photo that will stay in my mind and make me smile - oh I just have to add it to you favs. It brings back how there are so many precious moments we forget in the busy life of raising our children and this is a wonderful reminder that memories are made up of just such moments in time.

BiF - Behemoth in Flight
by HarveyG

Comment:
Oh all four off the ground - amazing .. I like not seeing their faces - I can think what I want to then .. are they running ot of fear (doubtful given their immense power) or for fun? Comical to think of then just running off to expend energy - Funny how they tuck their tail in as they run - not held out as a flag heralding their coming - Rhinos are dear to my heart - they look like they were made up of left over pieces - tiny little wiggly ears more suited to a small animal .. huge haunches like an elephant .. the speed of a cat - thank you for your wonderful posting of a wild free beast that is slowly being confined to smaller and smaller ranges due to the stupidity of those who don't understand how sacred all life is.