Beauty lies in the eyes of the Beholder

The entry is well composed with an effective pairing in texture, color and rhythm.

The Paper Kite Butterfly - from eclosion (emergence from chrysalis) to pollinator in a short life.

These panels capture a crisply rendered transition from eclosion to magnificence. The color and line of the border is distracting.

Making it's way to become a beautiful Monarch, the caterpillar spins into a chrysalis to rest in until she is ready to emerge.

The repetition of the tonally rich peony links the pair. The colorful elements are not well integrated into the beautiful background.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." - Maya Angelou

The two panels appear as one due to the interconnectedness of the beautiful composition.

In a 17 year cycle, the cicada nymph rises from the ground, sheds it's exoskeleton and emerges an adult.

This is a refreshing minimalistic, straight forward presentation of the class. The use of high contrast disrupts the unity of the composition.

If you plant it they will come, and transform.

Lovely capture of a moment in nature's life cycle. The panels lack compatibilty in scale and complexity.

Mother Nature delivers another golden blue hour.

Inviting composition captures movement, soft lighting, texture and excellent repetition of lines. The darkness in the bottom left corner distracts.

The majestic sunset over Whitefish Lake puts on a dynamic show for two.

The image captures a magical moment of serenity. Less sky would create a stronger composition.

"Truly the Blue Hour, first light captured in this unaltered image"

The composition presents a pleasing tension between the dynamics of the sky and still waters. More foreground would enhance the image.

Shooting in the last minutes of the Blue Hour produced smooth water, soft details and a spectacular sky.

The entry captures the drama of the alluringly backlit sky. The abundance of sky competes with the mountain and its reflection.

Yosemite, to me, is always a "sunrise, a glitter of green & golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space" Ansel Adams

A scene of serenity from a bounty of textures is an extraordinary accomplishment by this photographer.

"Morning Blues" This eerie early morning hour is a display of mystery, serenity, and a calmness while displaying hope for a good day from the rising sun.

Appealing, winsome capture of the blue hour with the use of painterly coloration.

"Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars" - JRR Tolkien

Successful capture of a difficult subject with good tonal range. The graphic and its placement dominates the beautiful moon.

The blood moon provides a unique opportunity to flood the sky with monochromatic light, softly illuminating stately pine trees.

Strong diagonal lines against the luminous moon evokes an eerie atmosphere. Sharper focus on the pines in front of the moon would enhance the contrast.

"Always remember we are under the same sky, looking at the same moon." - Victoria Erickson

The vast scale, rich tonal range, and strong leading lines create a breathtaking image

"Magical Harvest Moon" illuminates hillside of stubble of recently harvested wheat providing an almost unreal vista. Palouse, Eastern Washington.

The detail and rhythmic lines of the grasses draws the viewer's eye into the photograph. Inconsistent light sources confuse the eye.

Waxing Crescent Moon over the Painted HiIls of Oregon.

Technically superb detail throughout this image. Greater tonal range would enhance the impact of the image.

Moonrise over Sacred Heart Church, Galveston

Look at that moon! Strong second. Slightly greater tonal range would have added more depth to the photograph.

Flowing river water morphs into solid ice, trapping air bubbles in frozen movement.

The image stands out with beautiful movement and explosion of color. It lacks a focal point.

no longer catepillar no chrysalis; I'm still wet and not quite a butterfly on the wing - The variation of my best self still to come.

Repetition, form and elegant lighting brings out the butterfly's best self. The strong vignette overpowers the delicate subject.

The life cycles of a Monarch Butterfly.

Triangulation of the life cycle creates a clever composition. Consistent lighting would create a more cohesive image.

Metamorph surfer into a bird.

Outstretched wings and surfer's arms create a graceful movement. Superimposition of the bird directly over the surfer is disconcerting.

An Urban tree canopy transforms the lives of those who dwell within.

A sophisticated concept, technical prowess and variation of color captures the essence of the class.

Lovely Hawaiian blossoms transformed from an animate specimen to an inanimate image of movement and vibrancy by freezing the flowers.

Rich colors and strong composition make for a creative metamorphosis. Focal points compete.

Striped of its battlements, Civil War-Era Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach. FL, now stands guard over a peaceful seascape.

This image has a pleasing linearity; technically well executed. There is a lack of compatibility between the density of the foreground and expansiveness of the sky.

"Time Warrior" Oak Alley Plantation has stood strong against the ravages of time from wars to hurricanes.

The photographer's judicious perspective effectively frames this historic sight and its tranquil setting. Multiple porch lights on the right distract.

The Doge's Palace in Venice Itaty. Construction begun in 10th-11th century with renovations and additions through the centuries.

The architectural features offer a pleasing rhythm and repetition combined with eye-catching textural details. A brighter exposure would be more appealing.

The 1636 Rousham House is stilled owned by the original family. Imagine the walls whispering of the two marriages that saved this family treasure.

An effective use of a wide angle lens invites the viewer into this historical setting.

The canons at Fort Shirley in Dominica are a reminder of the defenses built along the Lesser Antilles during conflicts between Britain and France in the 19th century.

This composition offers a storytelling quality, contrasting the machines of war and the now-tranquil sea. Judicious cropping of the left side would make a stronger image.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial proudly overlooks the luminous Tidal Basin as night turns into day.

An ethereal capture of an iconic monument to our democracy. The clouds in the top corners undermine the power of this evocative image.

The just emerging fern crozier in the early spring resembles the bishop's staff for which it's named before it unfurls.

The image has a strong rhythm and radial composition. The slight lack of focus detracts from the textural aspects.

From clove to scape to bloom, the flower unfolds

The well executed softness in the background enhances the subject matter. The awkward angle creates a static image.

When new vines unfold and dance in circles with exquisite rhythm, it fascinates me!

The elegant movement creates a graceful image. Judicious cropping of the upper right would strengthen the image.

I wanted to capture the beauty and grace of this spring swamp flower.

This is a well executed, luminous and dramatic image.

Emerging just in time!

The skillful use of lighting illuminates the well focused bud. Less of the flower would strengthen the intended focal point of the bud.

Happiness emerging one petal at a time.

This is a bold and striking composition. The dominant and harsh background light creates a flattened focal point.

The ghostly, shimmery image of the spreading oak evokes exciting energy.

This is a well composed image full of tension and energy. It does not conform to the class definition of an abstract image, focusing more on reality and not the essence.

"There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree." - Albert Schweitzer

The light elevates the shapes and images in this well composed image. More essence of the subject matter is needed, less reality.

The shadow of the Mt. Laurel dances across the mighty live oak.

The strong abstract pattern and texture on the right challenges the eye. The dominate black shapes destroy the movement in the image.

Etherial Surroundings - Encircled by the flowing arms of the live oak.

Outstanding composition and technique evoke an other worldly mood. The tonal qualities create balance and good depth of field. Congratulations on such a bold choice.

Rorschach "oakblot" test reveals bats and ghouls lurking in the bark!

The strong use of pattern and texture challenges the viewer to bring their own interpretation to interact with this image. The strong light creates harsh contrast.

Events both favorable and adverse create change in the growth rings of this 1000 year old Texas Live Oak.

This is a creative attempt and good adherence to class. The contrast at the bottom interrupts the cohesiveness and rhythm of the image. Keep up your unique interpretations.

Walking up to the heavens through the Aspen trees.

The intersecting angles in this composition lead your eye to the glowing aspen trees and the dramatic sky beyond. The mass of dark green trees on the left somewhat competes with the glowing trees on the right.

Symmetry and Splendor The envious arborvitae looks on as the stately deciduous red maple trees with a burst of color, the grand finale, she their leaves.

The changing season is dramatically illustrated with strong contrasting colors and powerful leading lines.

World's change; however, the tonic of nature remains, even as seasons change. Joy, wonder, calmness and a restoration of spirit bring contentment and tranquility.

This is a beautifully framed, bucolic country landscape. The change of season is subtle.

Autumn's splendor as reflected in a small lake.

The strong colors, textures and forms in this reflected landscape create a kaleidoscopic visual effect.

Changing seasons innovating life a new in the mountains of Edland Norway.

This is a nicely layered image with a defined foreground, middle ground and background. The horizon line is tilted.

As fall approaches, the Aspen trees' golden yellow leaves shimmer brilliantly in the sun. Listen. Their leaves quivering sounds like a song of praise.

The stand of aspens in the foreground is effectively framed by the darker trees behind it. The lines in the sky are distracting.

"... a man who keeps company with glaciers comes to feel tolerably insignificant by and by." -Mark Twain

This intimate, abstract image showcases nature's dramatic colors and forms. One's eye is drawn to the bottom opening that is slightly out of scale with the ice around it.

The reflection of a flower appears in a raindrop until the breeze blows it away.

This is a technically accomplished image that makes effective use of complimentary colors. The bold foreground leaf dominates the composition.

My intention is to show water in three stages, solid (ice), liquid (water), and the impression of evaporation by including small bubbles raising.

A creative, bold and well executed interpretation of the theme that makes the viewer want to look more closely.

Flowers from my garden captured not in a vase of water but a block of ice bubbles to create movement in a distinctive way.

Bright colors and texture make this image pop. The elements on the left side of composition feel busy.

"The blue iris, so straight, so sweet lipped." - Mary Oliver

This is a beautifully composed painterly image with cracks in the ice creating interesting texture and a sense of depth.

TehDrip, Drip, Drip

The gentle curving line and soft depth of field create a pleasing image. The reflection in two of the three drops is out of focus.

Life's many cycles offer beauty and elegance in many different forms.

The image has an old master feel. The subject feels constrained in the frame.

Morpheus transforms our mundane reality into surreal kingdom of dreams.

A whimsical and masterfully created picture.

Dreams of my Mother. While completing this piece, I realized the elements were things my mother loved - art, flowers, and everything French. Then I noticed the date of capture would have been her 100th birthday.

A beautiful composition that tells a meaningful story.

A mixed media botanical illustration.

Plant material fills the frame but it appear to be significantly degraded.

The migratory Monarch symbolizes transformation. Their endangerment is affected by habitat loss, conversion of grasslands, herbicides and insecticides, logging, urban development and drought.

The bright and bold composition draws the viewer's eye and tells an interesting story. The subject is a little crowded in the frame.

The cycle of metamorphosis = Rain - Waterfall - stream - evaporation - Rain.

A beautifully painted photograph. The strong yellow at the base of the image dominates the composition.