I think you were robbed with this...I gave it a 9 and mentioned how perhaps if we saw more of the faces it would be better, and I think others made similar comments...a gorgeous shot in any case and I congratulate you even though the voters let you down
An interesting idea. I'm glad you didn't go wild with the gold paint. I'm thinking that I would prefer to see both pairs of eyes, rather than one each, though I can see what you were doing compositionally.
I absolutely adore this shot! How wonderful...I am only thinking I would love to have seel both sets of eyes, but I don;t want to be negative and I certainly won't take marks away for that...I would love to see this redone minus the grass (?) and perhaps a black background...9
Neat idea, but I think your subject are too far to the left and right. They seem to be glued to the edges of the photo. Maybe showing a bit more the faces would work. At least then you could catch the eyes and use the rule of thirds.