Through the windy states to USS Missouri
by Sheryll

Comment by Melethia:
Good use of the flags to depict the wind. Overall focus is a little soft but not in a displeasing way. A touch more sharpening crisps it up a bit, though.

Stephanie and Jeremy 1.JPG
by Sheryll

Comment by Jason_Cross:
Ha! I was just about to post the same comment, when I scrolled down and saw yours. I was guessing 12.

The Pearl
by Sheryll

Comment by MaryO:
Nice pastels. It can't have been easy getting just the pearl in focus!

011_11.JPG
by Sheryll

Comment by Traff:
Really like this image - isolating the neck and head against that wonderful background is very effective. You've got good exposure on the neck - holding detail in the whites. Focus is maybe (technically) a little soft but I actually think it works here, it gives a sense of movement and echoes the background.
The only thing I'd suggest is a slightly tighter crop to the top and right. On the top the very tip of the feathers is currently cropped off - that looks like an error, but if you trim just a little more so that the neck just arcs out of the picture and then crop similarly from the right so the edge of the neck also arcs out of the picture it looks more deliberate, and tightens the 'abstract' feel of the image by removing the 'dead' space just behind the neck.
Oh yes, and they're swans. Swan's never like being called geese. Never say it in ear shot. They take offence easily.

Through the windy states to USS Missouri
by Sheryll

Comment by Elaine:
This is too busy for me.

Stephanie and Jeremy 1.JPG
by Sheryll

Comment by Jutilda:
My gosh, they look 14!!!!!

Stephanie 1.JPG
by Sheryll

Comment by kevrobertson:
Another great shot

Kev

The Pearl
by Sheryll

Comment by brownsm:
nice use of colors in the background, and the string of pearls in the foreground.

The Pearl
by Sheryll

Comment by timfythetoo:
Well you have bokeh going on but it really doesnt seem to add a whole lot to the image. You rforeground "model" is lacking in detail and general interest. The colors and lighting overall just seem to bright to really bring out any strong detail. Feels like a rushed snapshot.

The Pearl
by Sheryll

Comment by IreneM:
Nice bokeh but the subject in the foreground is too out of focus for my taste. Good luck in the challenge though.