What we can see is beautiful, but what was in the foreground, to make such a drastic crop? I feel I want to see more of what is below.

Congrats on your well deserved 1st place

congrats

Congrats!

What an interesting photo

This looks like a picture I would take. I love it!

stunning

Thanks for the explanation

Sounds good. Someone after my own heart for dinners. Invite me over anytime!

The plates and the steaks are so different that I tend to think the front plate is set on a page from the cook book.
which of course is not against the rules, would be against the rules if it was done in Photoshop.

I hope whoever gets this doesn't love asparagus... all the other plates have a whole lot more than the front one. For me, it would need a bit more actual food, and little sauce before I'd pay what I'm sure they asked for it. Why is the plate different from all the others? Also, needed to wipe the plate clean from the drips for photography, unless they were left on purpose to show how juicy something is - in which case could use a bit more and be able to see it more clearly

Beautiful, I love any type of Raviloi, if it's well done.

The thing with food is you need to get the focus right, this one would have got top points for more DOF on the food.

I agree, it's a trade off, but looks better with the white balance of all the plates.

The overall tone is a bit too yellow and dim, but a nice presentation on the plate.

i think the whole plate should have been in focus not just the front part

Nice shot, but IMO it would be waaaay better if the focus was on the tobacco instead of the middle of the pipe

This is an amazing example for lust! I love it author! In my opinion you did a good job not showing her face and just a little of her body, it shows that she knows what her sin is and she doesn't want to show her face for it!
Classy and well taken!!

IMO, this shows what one would lust after not necessarily the sin/act of lust being committed.

I don't quite see how a nude female necessarily connotes "lust." While the viewer may or may not feel the emotion by looking at her, her pose is not lustful, nor are her surroundings lusty...It's a fairly modest pose, and you cannot even make out if she has an expression of "lust" on her face...

IMHO it's a W/B picture, a beautifuly composed B/W picture !

I have to ask, is this a color or black and white photo? Lol.

nice work

Isn't "enlightenment" in the same sentence as "law school" an oxymoron?

Great HDR on this one; gives it a very artistic feel.

i like the message of it.

Gr8 Shot......

Great play of the sunlight on the pattern of the roots. Very nice!

Fantastic focus, depth, and color. Well cropped, and truly beautiful.

You are brave going there at night.

What an amazing looking ceiling, imagine trying to pain that.

Nice. The B&W helps

How come no one ever wants "hot steel?"

So sharp it can cut through water!
GREAT photo, excellent entry.

Great clarity, the edge and the background are really nice!

Congratulations! The tastiest dessert took top honors. Well done!

I think the blurred strawberry is fine...it is just the garnish, not the main part. Great lighting and dof!

Yum! Want to eat it! Love the chocolate curls!

love it, can I please have one?

Great capture of the flames!

Yum! Not the prettiest, but certainly one of the tastiest!
The blurry strawberry is a distraction, but the grated chocolate is in nice focus.

Now this looks great, great recipe and great photo. Great DOF and focus