The best of the (Flowers) bunch

In my opinion, the first choice photo is indicative of how subjective this process really is. If I was the judge, it would not have finished in the top 20. Choose another judge, and you could have a completely new set of photos in the top 10. And mine made it in the top 10 (#5), so its not sour grapes. I'm grateful but realize how tenuous the inclusion of my photo was in the face of so many great photos. Anyone who made it in the final 50 is worthy of being in the top 10.

"Think Pink" is my favorite. Unlike the rest, the colors are not overly saturated, and the amount of post processing is just right. The small amount of colorization contrasts nicely against the b/w background. The composition makes great use of just a few well positioned simple flowers, without including any distracting elements. The exposure captures details in both the highlights and shadows, without blowing out either. The staggering flowers with their stems suggest depth. Some may find the lack of tack sharpness in the image, but for me that adds a touch of dreaminess and softness. Perhaps the photographer can comment on whether that was intentional.

While it was shot in Lisbon, images like this can easily be found close to home. What makes it great is the photographer's ability to notice and transform something common into something dramatic.

I think I agree with you, fairn... I wish I were able to copy it to use as a background on my desktop. And my second fave is the dogwood blossoms...

I'm not a photographer, but I do not - in any composition - like photos with the juxtoposition of black and white and a solo focus in color (a single colored cosmo against a black and white background, etc). It's a bit of a cop out, in my opinion.

I would have picked 5, 2, or 9...

I LOVED # 9 -- I voted for it over my own. # 1 was striking, though. But I'm biased toward the simple pictures that cause you to look twice.

I have to also say that this is a tough crowd here at RAW! But I like it. This past April I got the Canon G10 and have been having a blast with it. The first picture I've ever submitted to anything ever ended up in the top 10 here, so now I'm really hooked. (I'm cop out #6 with the orange flower in the black and white :-P ). Reading all the opinions here has been fun, whether I agree or not. I know what I like, but it's also interesting to try and shoot in other ways due to these comments. Opens up more angles. Between RAW and flicker I feel as though I'm getting a first-rate education.

Next month's contest should be awesome based on what I've seen people can do with flowers, can't wait.