puce

Of the two photos [both of which are lovely], I prefer this one. Why? Because it shows the intense concentration as the bird chooses what seed might be the most delectable... :)

-Aina

Wayne, I really like the contrasting directional lines created by the boats and the roofs - makes for a really excellent composition. The filter treatment for this image is ideal I think - because there are lots of interesting colors in the buildings & surroundings. Congrats on hitting this one out of the park! -Aina

Lovely B&W composition - cannot imagine what this would look like in color. Do not think it would pop like it does in B&W. Well done! -Aina

Love this play with light & dark. Well spotted!!! -Aina

Temi, I love teasles - they make great subjects for photos. This is really delightful - the spider web is a great focal point here. Interesting comment by Vincent - I usually like more contrast in B&W too, but here I think that having less contrast adds a gentleness & serenity to the scene. In my opinion, more contrast would also take our natural focus off that gorgeous web, which right now is the high contrast feature that we gravitate to in this image.

Beautiful!!! -Aina

Vincent, this one immediately caught my eye! Two reasons: 1. I really like the composition & also the detail. Very compelling. 2. At first glance at the image & I thought you had applied the digital 'Glad Wrap' filter on it. Then when I looked more closely I realized that this was not the case - the effects of that filter are much less subtle than the nice effect you have achieved here!

Well done. -Aina

Delightful pic! My yard is full of them now as well. Their singing comes & goes in waves. I have been taking some of these with a humble iPhone - it does surprisingly good macros. -Aina

Lovely gentle spirals & colors... -Aina

The lighting here creates such a soft & gentle scene. It is a delightful image.

Makes you want to be there sitting outside at that little place on the left... Sounds like you not only captured a lovely image, but had a monumental dinner as well!!! -Aina

Beautiful impressionistic feel to this image. The way you have framed the image really draws the viewer in to the scene - there is no choice! Beautifully executed. - Aina

Thanks Giangiorgio - She is almost doing a yoga pose - the way she is holding one of the pairs of her legs to the side is really interesting. She was hanging upside down coming out of her shell. Amazing creatures... -Aina

What a really unusual hibiscus this one is... can't seem to make up its mind about what color of the rainbow it wants to be. - Aina

What a tranquil & gentle scene... delightful shot. Thank you for sharing... - Aina

Thanks for your positive feedback Vincent!

I like the positioning of the head - offset to one side makes the image much more interesting. The eyes, of course, have it here. Very compelling image. -Aina

A really beautiful study of human movement... I like how the dancers are the same, but they are all different too. Each hand & fingers, each leg is distinct. Yet in the distance it becomes hard to distinguish arms from legs as well. Brilliant. -Aina

:) Thank you Tommy.

Thanks Giangiorgio! This is a strange staircase . Why? Because it is an ultramodern feature in a very historic building. It is a service staircase, that is completely different to the main staircase that people use to access the floors of the museum... I have a shot of the main staircase as well. You would never guess that the two were in the same building! - Aina

Grazie Sergio!

Thank you for your comment Todd. So glad that you like it. -Aina

Thank you Aileen! - Aina

Thanks for your comment Aileen - you are right about the fireworks! I had not thought of that. -Aina

Love to see someone shooting infra-red! It is a fun thing to do. I like always how the vegetation seems to get a nice glow about it.

I fiddled around with infra-red a while back - bought a used SLR that had a light sensor that extended into the infrared range & then put an infra-red filter in front of the lens. Can only really take pics on a still day, because exposure times are long...

Beautiful composition here... - Aina

Cactus flowers look so good in B&W don't they? Pity more people do not shoot them in the way you did... :) -Aina