Thanks for sharing instructions .. I 'll try to do the same ...) Reply »

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author says: No problems I under exposed the ambient light using my camera settings and it was the flash that lit the suject. I placed one behind with the snoot to make the smoke stand out. The background is actually the white tiles on my laundry wall but I have underexposed dramatically to turn them black. The flagged flash stops the light from spilling onto the background. I used my 100mm macro lens, 1/200 sec @ f10. Then for post all I had to do was in Lightroom 3, an adjustment to the blacks to make the background darker and added some luminance to the blues. Hope that is more helpful

This could be easly a stock photo
Good work author! Reply »

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author says: Thanks very much Darkrider

lovely, very proffesional Reply »

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author says: Naaw - thanks Friiskiwi

Really nice. Reply »

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author says: Thanks Risvelt

What a sweetie lovely photo too Reply »

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author says: Thanks Madamemonty - she is the sweetest little kitten, she has her mothers temperament

Congrats on 1st place, well deserved. Reply »

Congrats! Reply »

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author says: Thanks very much Patty

Congratsssss Reply »

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author says: Thanks very much Rahul

Congrats, very nice composition Reply »

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author says: Thanks very much Chrys

great portrait Reply »

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author says: Thanks Friiskiwi - I sent a framed copy to both sets of grandparents, they love it too (but I supoose they're biased huh )

Lovely to see this boy again, it was to get photo like this I suggested the contest. Normally he would have been too recognisable. Reply »

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author says: Thank Friiskiwi, I guess he's one of my most photographed subjects He is usually very willing when I am trying something new. I am glad you suggested this comp so that I could share it - otherwise he is to recognisable like you said

Wonderful shot... the B&W really suits it Reply »

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author says: Thanks very much Kyricom

Congratulations, well deserved win Reply »

I was so suprised at the result, my first thought was OMG, I can't believe it. It was lovely news after a crappy day at work - thank so much for your support Friiskiwi Reply »

Cute Reply »

Nice shot Reply »

Very nice photo! Reply »

what a great photo... the player in the air is a great "action" shot, great aperture and shutter speed. colors are great and it is tack sharp. the player is kicking "into" the picture, everything is great... very well done Reply »

Thank-you all for your kind comments I love the challenges that shooting sports represent, particularly isolating the subject from the usual clutter that comes with crowds, cars etc and finding the 'decisive moment' amongst the action Reply »

Congratulations on 1st place, great shot Reply »

Congratulations on the win!!! Reply »

Congrats! Reply »

congratulations on "gold"... a very deserving photo for sure. Reply »

great! Reply »

Beautiful. Such clear reflections. Reply »

VERY pretty! Reply »

beautiful Reply »

What wonderful sunset,great sky,nice reflection.Good job author Reply »

This is beautiful, by now I feel never want to see an other sunset, but I love this one. Reply »

Thanks everyone - your comments are very much appreciated Reply »

Stunning! Reply »

Very nice Reply »

I'm loving this one. Great texture, clarity is fantastic, excellent lighting...I dare say this is my favorite entry you've posted, author! Great job! Reply »

beautiful Reply »

Thankyou MagicSteve & Friiskiwi. I nearly sent this one to the recycle bin as the lighting appeared flat in RAW. I did a levels adjustment and liked it much better that it is on my wall. Reply »

This is beautiful! Reply »

Thankyou Master Reply »

Amazing piece author...instant fav from me Reply »

Congratulations, wonderful shot, and yours inspired mine. Reply »

Thanks Friiskiwi - I'm flattered, I really like your entry too Reply »

Very nice... really sharp Reply »

Wow...so sharp! Reply »

high res looks very nice Reply »

great Reply »

beautiful Reply »

Great !!! congratulations !!!! Reply »

What a beautiful shot! Reply »

Agrees with all!! Very nice shot! GL! Reply »

wow,wow and more wow's author...I don't know what a say about this shot....its perfect...well done Reply »

Beautiful shot! Congrats on 1st! Reply »

Lol Erathion - wow, thanks Thank you too Patty. Reply »

wonderful shot Reply »

Excellent...GL Reply »

Great shot Reply »

OMG
Such a CUTE thing.
Perfect shot author!
Congratulations and good luck. Reply »

It was close. Congrats! Reply »

Congrats, well deserved Reply »

Wow - now there's a nice suprise Reply »

BEAUTIFUL! Reply »

beautiful cloud indeed, but i was just wondering if its on theme..."Your challenge is to photograph a recognizable cloud shape. It MUST be a figure such as an animal or shape that is clear and distinct. " Good luck ! Reply »

I agree with Lamantine on this one, not to mention it doesn't look anything like a mushroom cloud from a bomb. Reply »

Agree w/ above, if it were a "mushroom cloud" from and atomic explosion... it would be on topic as a recognizable shape, although a really neat cloud, i believe this one falls under storm cloud... Reply »

c'mon guys, have a bit of imagination here............when do clouds ever look exactly like what people say they do............author, I can see it, well done for spotting it! Reply »

Hands up for those who have ever seen an actual Atomic bomb cloud?? This is my interpretation on what they must look like, I hope to never have to witness a real atomic bomb cloud. Reply »

Beautiful shot captured author...Lovely work.....Stunning image.... Reply »

Edit : Ouch , sorry for not seeing the mushroom ! my apologizes author, really great find !

(Thanks Ade for the feedback ) Reply »

Nice. I see it and I like it. Reply »

Sorry k5683 but I don't agree with you. If you have that opinion simply red flag it. You should try not to comment on administrative issues on contest enties- that's what the red flag system is for Reply »

yes, I just figured that out -- I somehow missed that revision/update and I will watch what I say from now on about "on/off theme" Reply »

Lol K5683 - I haven't revised it or updated it Reply »

nice! Reply »

Even the colour is apocalyptic! Great! Reply »

Amazing entry. I would be surprised if you won't get to top 3. Good luck Reply »

This is just GREAT! Reply »

I think this is an absolutely amazing picture, extremely well done. Reply »

Nice find.......great pic.......GL on your entry Reply »

Congrats for your first place, Fallinghorse! Reply »

congratulations, well deserved Reply »

Thanks everyone for your comments and votes - much appreciated Reply »

I don't know what "daggy" means, but I think she looks great! Reply »

Daggy?!?...OK, I'm with kyricom...great looking photo, but hazy on the term...daggy Reply »

Ok... I guess I can deduce "daggy"... but hey, I am of the theory that when "dagginess" confronts comfort, the latter wins!lol Reply »

"Be as obvious as possible and make sure she's doing a clearly visible activity" I dont see anything. Reply »

It also says 'show us doing something she loves' and trust me she loves wearing this hat whilst coaching the kids in Pony club. I considered showing all the kids on the ponies but then the impact of the hat would have been lost. Reply »

That picture would of been on topic this isnt. You cant ignore half the guidelines The picture doesnt portray how she feels about the hat anyways, we have to take your word on that. Reply »

wonderful, totally agree with the sentiment. Reply »

Mekun - feel free to red flag it if you wish. - but do you really think she would be wearing it if she hated the the hat???? Obviously she wants to wear it, and if she wants to wear it with a pink and grey check shirt - then she will!!

For the others - 'daggy' is just a coloquial term for something old and unfashionable - sorry, I forget that slang isn't always internationally known - I'll keep that in mind for future descriptions Reply »

Mekun, personally, I don't see a problem with this shot.........the lady loves wearing the hat, which is very brave of her.... ......and so, imo, the shot is on topic! Reply »

Totally agree about the shot being on topic...
And author, thanks for the definition...I gotta remember that one! LOL
In my neck of the woods, we call them "skooks" why??? I don't really know... Reply »

Lol itsmymoment - the story behind being a dag or daggy .... a dag originally comes from sheep shearing - it's the nasty bit of the wool at the rear end that catches all the mess Reply »

Nice shot.....GL Reply »

Wow.. what an engine.. how old it is and where it is? this is so cool.. adding it to my fav.. Reply »

What a great old engine. I can imagine it when it was shiney and new. Should be taken to a museum somewhere Reply »

yes, great capture, and it should be in a museum somewhere, I agree. Reply »

This is a fab piece of machinery, nice find and great entry too! Reply »

Hi - thanks for your comments. I am not sure how old it is. I will post the location when the contest is finished as I am not sure if this would give away my identity which is against the rules - I will also have another look at it and see if there is a makers plate or anything to gauge it's age. i agree that it tshould be looked after rather than sitting out in the elements. Reply »

cool author.. that's a great find.. I don't know what is it doing out there like some abandoned stuff and piece of crap.. just look at that.. its awesome.. I'll wait for your post of its location and do you mind taking a couple of more snaps and adding them in an album...? Reply »

No problems iquraishi Reply »

It's really a piece of museum, certainly! It's a shame a rare object like that (I suppose there aren't so many ones spread all over...) being in the open air! Nice shot, author. Reply »

Excellent shot, love everything about it. good luck to you Reply »

excellent ! one of the bests i've seen ! Reply »

INCREDIBLE!!! Did I mention I kinda like it?!? A Fav!!! Overall fantastic comp and lighting, well balanced...I'm jealous! What a great find. Reply »

Congratulations! Reply »

Thanks Giulia & everyone who voted/commented on my image Reply »

cute and funny ) Reply »

now... that is one bald little fellow! Love the shot! Reply »

very well done, right on topic, well balanced, good entry! personally I might have gone a bit tighter and shot portrait...but this works nicely also Reply »

Thanks itsmymoment, I did consider cropping this but didn't want to lose so much in the way of quality/pixels. Should have shot it as portrait but I will know better next time Reply »

A favorite for me in this category. What an adorable portrait! Reply »

great shot.nice expression Reply »

Author...usually if I'm conflicted on wich way to shoot...I try to get one or two quick shots in BOTH landscape and portrait, then decide later when i put them on screen which is better, just a hint for future reference... Reply »

I think you have a winner. Reply »

Told ya so. Congrats! Reply »