Katey, that little caterpillar is really digging into it and yes it is a picture of gluttony once I read your post about it. But I did see your photo on Flickr and that could work out really well for this challenge too.

Steve, I totally agree with you on that photo. One scene captured everything. How easily it is all masked by a sense of security with what you can “get” as those signs said. But this is a serious photo that can make people think about how they are spending their time and money and is it all just going down the drain?

Matt – I totally love the effect. That was the first thing I noticed and I want to learn how to make it.
I notice this effect on a few photos that I see online and I keep wondering how it’s done. Unfortunately I don’t have Paintshop Pro. So is there any other way to get this effect?

Now about the photo challenge – I suggest we rotate who gets to drive – with Steve just putting up the end post on our deadline.
That way all of us have a chance to say something and lead the conversation.

Whatchathink?

Joepi- beautiful colours as always. Great focus and composition and I love the sharpness on the flowers. This is such a simple, elegant shot there really isn’t much else I can say.

Ken – I’m not keen on the crab pot shot. Mainly because without an explanation I’d have no idea what I was looking at and partly because there are two conflicting areas of focus that keep pulling my eyes back and forth. The alley shot is beautiful. I love the richness of the black areas contrasting with the brightness of the reflected light.

Katy – such a beautifully textured tree contrasted with the beautiful Katy. I was struggling with the texture challenge and even looked at a few trees without getting any inspiration. If only I’d been clever enough to think of doing a self portrait! The composition is excellent with the weight of the tree perfectly offset by the way you are glancing mysteriously out of shot. I’m not sure I’m keen on the texture you’ve applied to yourself. Unless it’s not a post processing effect in which case I’d love to know how you could have got so dirty!

For Katy – I agree with Steve that using the wood on the tree really makes for a good texture photo, but it also could have come out better with a little more sharpness to the tree (?) instead of layering it with another texture.

Ken’s images are postcard perfect and I love the clarity and detail that each photo brings. I can see myself walking carefully on that street to avoid puddles and slipping!

Lastly – I have to give props to Steve for this challenge for finding a very fitting photo for the challenge. I can almost feel the scruffiness of what that 3-day growth is like to the touch. One thing to note as well is that the composition of this photo is perfect. If the image in itself was cropped without the mouth, it would not have completed the image. The use of the color also compliments the image very well – giving you a sense of bleak surrender to the weariness and sadness that Steve and what the rest of Melbourne must have felt or was and is still going through because of the bushfires. (I’m giving you too much props for this am I, Steve? LOL)

Looking forward to the next challenge!!!!