Eye Contact
by jjbeguin

Comment:
The master is back; maybe he never left...
What I think is really masterful about this shot is the way there is focus and out of focus people, blurred and sharpened, burned and highlighted, and perfect placement of the people that have the good expressions on their faces; and, you didn't go overboard with the contrast make the whites ivory and midnight blacks; the balance and gray tones add to the jumble of faces and staring eyers on center.
You don't need me to say it, but great shot!

Girl from Ipanema
by whiteroom

Comment:
I like the flow of this; which makes it look less like a portrait and more like a candid; and that fits the challenge and makes it overall quite good.

Rose6899
by angela_packard

Comment:
Alternate title “bold acceptance” or “I will eat the rose”
I could be way off base but... You have a terrifically pained look on your face which shows the true anticipation of pain(perhaps a metaphor for real life anxiety); But, although a rose is sweet and symbolizes love; there can be bitterness and inevitable thorns if mistreated; or, perhaps, we must in life strive for the good true and beautiful, despite the pain, and inescapable sense that love is ephemeral, fleeting, and that along with the sweet smell there is the sometimes painful consequences. The facial grimace may not be that you are expecting to take the rose into your mouth, but that you have already squeezed and felt the thorns; in that case; the rose in the mouth is indicative of a strong will; someone who says “I can take this pain and will move on, I will not weep longingly over romantic photos in a book strewn with dried rose petals; I will eat the rose.

Message edited by author 2006-01-25 07:56:01.

Preacher Man
by hotpasta

Comment:
Nice shot; interesting and the fish eye is nice.

Rebecca
by hotpasta

Comment:
Very Classy shot; perhaps the direct sun is a bit harsh; nice composition though.

Zipporah
by hotpasta

Comment:
Looks like ashley simpson; I thought Italian girls didn't smile?

Another of my Favorite
by Katmystiry

Comment:
Great portrait; nice and soft; well done.

In the Shade
by kerrang

Comment:
Nice blue on black; terrific abstract.

Summer Marsh, Evening Ebb
by Bear_Music

Comment:
I love the surreal blue water with the infinitely realistic green pasture! This is one hell of a shot.

landfall-IMG_2470.jpg
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Absolutely perfect; the wave texture, the orange strip; I can smell the tide, feel the salt in my nose; the birds, this is special.