A universal truth about entering challenges on DP that you have to deal with, is that voters have 2-300 other images to see before finishing their voting (or more). In order to score well, the image has to have an immediate impact on the voter, or they're already thinking about the next image, or the last one that impacted them.
In this case, you have a very techically competent photo. The setup is very nice, but maybe a little bit linear. shifting the middle shell to add some depth wouldn't hurt. the lighting is sopt on, as is the colour and sharpness. What it doesn't do is SCREAM texture, and that's what the voter is asked to judge. An extreme closeup of the left shell would have more impact in that it's full of texture. The lighting you have used would highlight that, and you could easily have created a palpable texture.
Photographic integrity is certainly important in these challenges, but equally important is creativity and relevant challenge impact.
Keep at it my friend, you have the skills to score well...now you just need to let your brain roam free and see where it takes you :)
Regards,
pedro |