I cannot forget this image, from the "Soft Focus" challenge, and I just can't believe that I didn't add it as a "favorite", so I must do that right now..... I love this one very very much, and it is definately my kind of image in everyway.....
The pic is great, the DOF is pretty much dead on for this shot, for the challenge though I think a little softer would have worked better. The cactus itself doesn't have that softness to it. This may be attributed to the excellent contrasting colors that don't allow the softness to come through. I gave it a 5, but did not think it had enough "softness" to it. I don't think the lower right detracts from the shot.
Strange plant. I would have liked this one better if the flower or whatever in front of the subject hadn't been there. The red flowers(whatever that is anyway) are really nice. I like the lightning too.