traditional celebration
by tanguera

Comment:
The best of the fireworks pictures I've seen so far.

Statue of Liberty
by KristinaG

Comment:
The highlights and shadows on her face are a bit out of control. Also be careful with your saturation in the summer where people are already a little red.

Staying independent
by jagar

Comment:
This is almost exactly the shot I wanted to do for this challenge, but didn't get around to taking it. So clearly I like the concept. The lighting and processing also are on a different level than your competition. Based on the entries I've seen so far, it would be SHOCKING if this did not ribbon! Very well done. For the technical details as well as the emotion...I'm giving this a perfect 10

The Bombs Bursting in Air
by kcm

Comment:
Looks like the focus is a tad off. If it was either razor sharp or MORE out of focus I think it would do a little better. Still a cool shot!

I Believe I Can Fly
by fngood83

Comment:
This is adorable. The clean lines with the single non subject object works very well. The processing however I think could have been a bit better. A little bit more on the bottom end of the histogram would have really helped, and the colors could use a little work... but compared to most of the other entries I've seen so far, this is fine art! lol Good job overall, you got a 7 from me :)

My Country, 'Tis of Thee
by ThatTroySmith

Comment:
Your concept is strong, as is the perspective, the sky, and the focus... but my favorite thing is the lighting on the building. The slow fade works really well and is very dramatic. The only thing that I think is wrong with this image is the horizon line. Looks like it could use a few degrees tilt clockwise. And I think it would have been really cool to find a way to accentuate the sun flare. I think the people that notice the sun shining on the flag will score this a few points higher than the people who don't. I'm giving it an 8. Very well done.

American Beauty
by elizadeb

Comment:
Not a big fan of the processing in this. The white vignette, the highlights in her hair clipping, the extra striped hoola-hoop at the bottom is a bit distracting, as is the thing in the top left corner and the pair of legs just above her head. I think cropping those things out would have made this a much stronger and more focused image. Cute moment captured however, keep at it!

Free as the Wind
by JuliBoc

Comment:
A bit more blurry than I would like. Also not a big fan of the color choices in post. A wider shot, or having the subject look at the camera I think are a couple ways to have more of an impact.

The Shot Heard 'Round the World
by vawendy

Comment:
My favorite so far. Absolutely love how you captured the smoke cloud, especially by his hat. I may have desaturated his face a bit as it seems a bit red and it would bring more impact to the other colors. But a good concept, and well executed.

Yellow
by pmaz9797

Comment:
Seems to be a little out of focus... and am not usually a big fan of selective coloring, although it doesn't bother me too much in this. I do think it would have been stronger with only the main subject being colored if you're going to go that route, otherwise all the extra yellow spots are a bit distracting.