JDMvW

I've been noticing this one for a long time and it 'wears' quite well.

Nice image--if no one would notice, I'd put it in my "Homage to Hopper" portfolio, imitation being the sincerest form of 'critiquing'. :)

Wonderfully done, but I'd sure lose the "frame" - I'd rather see the image larger.

I would have said "madonna of the boardwalk," but nicely taken and nicely processed.

Again, the thumbnails at the bottom of the discussions have paid off.

Really nicely composed in my opinion, and the light is lovely.

I think it is a very capable shot, and I prefer the original to the efforts to 'tweak' the color. The clothing is green stripes and for me it all comes together nicely just as it is.

It does look a little 'stagey' but again, that seems part of what is being done rather than a serious flaw in conception or execution.

I too like that the feet suggest wings on a little cherub.

The chosen image is pretty characteristic of Lomonosov's work as shown here in the photographer's portfolio. That's not a bad thing at all. I personally would not do this sort of thing, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it when it is well done, as I think it is here.
I wouldn't over-rationalize the 'story' behind it. Lots of stories could fit, even the smoke detector ones. I don't think it is intended for it to "go" anywhere, particularly. I think it stands on its own as an image.

Funny.

Although the woman is also looking off to the right -- perhaps something is happening off frame and the kids are not actually ogling her?

No matter, it works anyhow. B&W adds to the character here.

I also like Anders' view.

A really nice composition and terrific color.

I'm trying to decide if the blue car is good or not. Hmmm.

The overall monochromatic effect may be relieved by that a little.

This is another I probably would have missed without the clips at the bottom of the forums.

Really like it, but it IS over-sharpened. If such effects show, then there's too much of them.

No "of course" about it. Ponder the kōan from Magritte's later painting again, Grasshopper.

This is not a mountain, it is an image of a mountain.

Whatever you-all may mean by 'heaviness' of the photo qua photo, I know that for me its 'heaviness' is appropriate and congruent with the heaviness of the subject matter itself.

If you want to follow this up, I suggest postings at 30 paces in the Philosophy forum. (smek<slap signifying duel challenge ) ;)

The original is superior to all the attempts so far to "improve" it, IMHO

Fred, you were not the only one to speak of heaviness, nor was I especially worrying about your interpretation.

There is an interplay between object and image.

The title of the Magritte painting below is The Time and Also the Words:

I think it works, notwithstanding any 'heaviness' in it. These are mountains, after all.
It illustrates why the old compositional rules are as they are, without becoming banal or derivative.

I needed this. Thanks.

I like this too. It's a very nice image and the cropping is good.

I hadn't seen this before.

I sure wish I'd taken it! The composition is great, and the color fantastic.

Wherever the moon is, I like it a lot.

Since everyone is bitching (?) about the moon, I'd only make it a little less bright, myself.

I appreciate the way you got the eye and the nose into focus. Clever.

As for the dog, well

awwww...

I especially like the 'truthfulness' of the image. Looks clean, nothing of the 'plastic' skin we see too much of these days.

Nice work, interesting color.

Another example of how you just "do it right" --

Of course, still without a dog myself, I go sappy over the TV ads for dogfood even, but that's not what's working in my judgment here.

but you have to also understand that the "mind"/vision system will "resolve" detail where none exists.

Examples of this include the "man in the moon", the canals on Mars, and the plethora of saints and deities seen in flatbread, whatever....

As Sagan said once (paraphrase) --

"There was never any doubt about the fact that the canals on Mars reflected the operation of intelligence. The only question was which end of the telescope the intelligence was on."

I really don't have any "intellectual" appreciation of the image along the lines spelled out by Matt, but I find it aesthetically very interesting. Not pleasing, necessarily, even a little disturbing; but still it causes a strong reaction in me.
FWIW, there have been some "groping hands" somewhat like this in some horror films, but that's not where my reaction comes from.
The elves seem to have chosen well. I'll be interested to see what others think of it.

I know there's so much more to your work than "cute", but damn this is cute. For someone like me who is currently and recently without pets, this is too much. Thank goodness that the rescue shelter and all are closed now....

I've promised myself that I'll get some travel in before I get more pets, but I sure miss my lab and Maine coon cat.

I like it. Not just the color, though that's nice, but the composition is good too. The informal balance of the two rectangles plus the circles is nice.