By the Bay
by jdannels

Comment:
The lower right quarter of this image is absolutely lovely. Really like the back light blow on the dog and the composition of path, hill, detailed branches and leaves with more distant environment providing depth. In the left upper quarter, the distant city skyline and shipping cranes framed by the dark tree line closer to us makes another promising image. I'd enjoy seeing these as separate images.

heading out
by Abra

Comment:
Nice contrast of smooth wet suit against highly textured rough foam. Because my eyes expect parts of the foam to be brilliant white, the extensive color cast (leaving none of the foam pure white) ends up leaving an undesired uncomfortable feeling that takes away from the image.

Low Tide
by ThingFish

Comment:
The boat makes a pleasing diagonal and holds interest with nice play of light and that interesting roof. To my eye, the thickness of the black border makes it seem like a separate competing subject itself instead of a subtle enhancement for the actual subject.

reverb
by RKT

Comment:
Better than many raindrop on water images, I think because the black/white conversion was handled in a way that helps us appreciate the resulting texture along with the shapes. On revisiting the image, I now also see a somewhat heart shaped figure of face - just right of center where the thicker dark branch leads my gaze - with two round raindrop ripple eyes, a narrow light-toned nose, light colored triangular chin. Maybe another similar face with more opened mouth a bit higher up the image. Now I can't un-see them. Lends an extra layer of interest to the image.

Day becomes Night
by RyanW

Comment:
To my eye, the jarring extreme departure from what appears to have started out as a realistic landscape yanks my attention from the image to the technique itself. Feels like being shouted at, or maybe like running across a band playing with amplifiers cranked past the pain point. Instead of contemplating the image for possible artistic merit, I end up feeling distracted by the technical aspect and feel vaguely annoyed without it being a genuine emotional involvement with negative but powerful work of art.

Railyard stage
by franktheyank

Comment:
The squares of various colors are interesting, but the overall blurry effect feels artificial and imposed upon the image. Will be interested in reading any notes you share.

Benched
by Runzamukk

Comment:
The circular part of the framing, whether knot hole, hole in a metal fence, or added in post, generates some thinking, although the bench and settings seem rather dull. The dark corners detract from the image. All in all, I think I might have scored this high if the image were presented as ending at the outer edge of the circular elements (with remaining pixels processed as transparent) to make this an artistic statement about lack of need for photographs to be rectilinear depictions.

Sunrise through the kitchen window
by 2mccs

Comment:
I would have guessed you captured reflections on a frozen pond until I saw the title. Interesting and artful composition of shapes and interesting play of colors.

The calm before the storm
by Paul

Comment:
Very good handling of high contrast while preserving detail. Reminds me of the feeling I get contemplating of works by Ansel Adams.

The Artist's Boat
by jomari

Comment:
Well-seen and well-captured bit of nature's doodling. This natural find that plays with ideas of abstract art works well in this challenge. I like the regular pattern of detail in the rope making a contrast with the free form reflections.