Nicely backlit photo, I can see the wonderful effect created by the back lighting and well done on the shadow fill for detail, nice entry author

Author, did you upload the wrong photo? It appears to be some sort of "snap" taken by accident...I would hope someone of your obvious talent didn't enter this on purpose?!?

Ummm..Author...can u provide a description for what we are seeing...it's on-topic, but kinda 'different'? I'm seeing a "hopefully" sleeping squirrel in a studio...LOL

This is almost the same shot as a currently "running" contest...as per rule 1.3. Entries from Older Contests: You may not use one of your old entries in a new contest....this is off theme...sorry author, but I suggest u replace this entry immediately...you may not enter such similar images in contests here.

Author, not too many shade of grey here, this is more of a low-key, high contrast shot...

Actually, if the subject were on the left third (rule of thirds) given some 'space' to look into...with the tonal qualities of this shot and the subject (both great BTW)...this would be a total WOW! shot....very close Author, just needs a bit of fine-tuning, but, you're on the right track IMHO...well done

Love the setup author, really appears like a gallery...lighting and all, wonderful job

ROFL!!! Hurray for the 99%,,,great job author...really gave me a chuckle...

Well, that's actually the beautiful thing about art...to each their own...Good Luck Author. Well composed images at least.

I like the series; however...the 2 outside photos are great, the center one is terribly blown, not high-key...it really distracts from the overall composition.

The lighting and tonality of the shots is very good, however, the focus appears to be a bit soft on the second shot. The focal plane appears to be just a few inches behind the subject as the head of the guitar is in sharp focus and the subjects face is not.

I agree here w/ friiskiwi, the highlights are a bit blown and there needs to be a touch more contrast added to these photos. I do however enjoy the composition of the series...

Nice job author of getting down on the child's level...makes for a much more interesting photo

Love the composition and mood here, well done author

Sorry author, but I have to agree with Mossy here...this HDR appears a bit "over-cooked" IMHO...perhaps that was the look you were going for? But the halo is rather distracitng

Being that swans are mostly white and the mist on the water already leads to decreased saturation of color, the result is nearly B&W....for the spirit of the contest, although a wonderful shot, I think the subject could have been better chosen...

Actually, I really like this, the subjects lend themselves well to this treatment...sorta like a depression era photograph. nicely chosen author

Actually, I find the lighting interesting, but, the angle has much to be desired...we are all used to seeing chairs from this angle...perhaps a different angle would have made this a really special shot. Just food for thought author

My kinda photographer LOL

Nice contrasting subject Author, very interesting shot to have captured the differences found just around the corner. Well done.

Very cool shot, nice symmetry and interesting corner. Well done author

Nicely done author, any parent would be proud to display this image in their home...truly fine portrait work

You are on the right track here with this shot. Hi Key lighting is best described as lighting that eliminates most or all of the "modeling" or 3D shadowing of traditional 2 or 3 light setups. Most of the shadows here are gone, but I think the the problem with the BG is as friiskiwi said, due to not enough light on it. If you're using PS or PSE, try a levels adjustment. Take the middle slider to about 1.10 or 1.15 and the right (whites) slider to about 245 or 250...that should correct some of the grey issues with the BG

Good Luck and well done for a first attempt author.

EDIT: I forgot to add, that until you get the hang of it, it often helps to over-expose your initial by a stop or so...

Author, is that dome attached to the rooftop making it a single roof?

Really interesting carving...love it...i want one! nicely done author and your efforts certainly paid off, wonderful entry

I have to agree with the author here...everytime i see apples at the market, they are in a bag, many of them, packed together or in barrels and tubs..

I agree, faith has been at the very center of many conflicts...interesting take, and well done

Very interesting author...I'm intrigued. Can you provide more info on this 'ceremony'?

I'm clearly seeing the inside of a computer and the "intel" logo...don't see a problem here, the blue-cast works for me...GL Author

LOL...'tighty-whities'....too funny, nice idea author

Sorry, have to disagree with some of you...the topic is 'leading lines'...the leading lines are so OOF...I'm not drawn to a subject...the DOF leads my eye to the left of the image, not towards the upper right as the lines (once found) would indicate....

Fan-freakin-tastic shot! I really love how the lines lead to the nearly easily overlooked silhouette...spot on and well done

I like the sign in the BG too..."God knows if you don't tip!" LOL

I've always preferred outdoor, natural settings to 'studio' work. The second shot is nice, since, if one were actually there, it would be what you would see...my only suggestion for the second shot would be to have done a bit of a lower-angle shot

Have to agree here author...not really an improvement over the first shot that is clearer and has much less distractions

Nice author...I like the cropped version much better, now it really pulls attention to the business end of the gun.

Author...what are we looking at here?

Nice balance and DOF, the only problem with this is your back ground is VERY distracting from an otherwise good image. Even though the BG is oof, the various colors and shapes really distract from the subject...try shooting this on a less distracting, simpler Bg and you just may have a winner here.

WOW...nice shot and great ink too! Just love the tats...

I would have preferred a shot riding the Cross-town bus #4, but...nicely played

And another Author throws his 'hat' in...LOL...

Try it outdoors sometime! LOL

Welcome to the "Club" author! LOL...great shot....

About damn time to end this 'sausage-fest'...LOL

GREAT SHOT and welcome to the club!!!

I'm with Adam here...this is a GREAT image. The very tight crop makes the image IMHO. The tones and texture are superb as is the lighting. Top notch work author!!!

Very funny...but from what the wife tells me...you could have done with a MUCH smaller sign! LOL...just kidding. Great thinking!

Thanks for jumping 'on board" author! nicely done....and just too damned funny!

Agree...rotate the image author...nicely done otherwise

Nicely done and themed author...I could see this as an ad of some sort....very good indeed!

Soooo...that's why there never seems to be an Officer around when you need one! LOL....nice image author, very funny

Actually Author...you really kinda remind me of another crazy biker I ride with...LOL, no offense, but you guys have the same look