Leafy Sea Dragon
by shadowdoc31

Comment:
Thanks for your critique... the original image (resized) can be viewed under my portfolio: //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=309203

I purposefully left in some of the plants to place the fish in-context (i.e., what the subject is disguised as). As you surmised, that annoying light is indeed glare; I tried to hide as much as possible in post-processing. I also tried to use a polarizer at the time the image was taken, but that cut down on the already low light further, and didn't help very much in any case.

The "thing" behind its head is actually another fish ( //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=309211 ).

Silly pencil, colors are for Crayons
by puma

Comment:
Very nice image! A well-deserved blue.

Leafy Sea Dragon
by shadowdoc31

Comment:
Wow!! My 1st ribbon... thanks to everyone of you who voted for me -- it's a huge encouragement for becoming a better photographer.

I made a special trip to the Georgia Aquarium (~2 hrs away from me) just for the challenge. I'd never seen a Leafy Sea Dragon before, but it seemed perfect... I took over 30 pics trying to get one that was "just right".

BTW, I had no idea, until the voting started, that this creature had been entered before (*winning a yellow in the 'camouflage' challenge in November '05). And there was another one (but from a different aquarium, I believe) also entered in this challenge.

Phycodurus eques - Leafy Sea Dragon
by CreativeFlyPhoto

Comment:
Great idea! Didn't realize it until the voting started, but apparently this fish has won 3rd in a previous challenge...

M3 - Woolf in sheep's clothing
by Warby

Comment:
Interesing pic... (I have an '05 convertible M3, and yes, it is peppy...)

Guinness Makes Me Happy
by mud puddle

Comment:
Nice implementation...

Backlit Battleship
by ShotMD

Comment:
Nice pic of the Alabama undergoing post-Katrina repairs... the damaged aircraft hangar in the background reinforces this idea...