I really do like this image. There is so much subtext. The white fern, of course, is the thing our eye is immediately drawn to. That said, I think the image of the male at the right is as important as the female figure to the left. Their individual gazes....one looking away, the other pensively looking downward...makes the intrigue in this picture. I wonder if the fern is a bit too bright. Not sure but I would play with that...bring the contrast down a tiny bit and perhaps bring the figure of the male up a tiny bit. Bottom line....great picture!

I agree with R.G.'s comments but will add some other thoughts. This is a good moon capture but, frankly, that's all it is. If you wanted to achieve that, then good enough but it does need more "room" around it. Even looking at the cropped version, the edges of the moon on the top and bottom are too close to the edge. Framing would overlap the image. I, personally do not mind the uneven lighting; in fact I think it adds to the image. I think, however, that as an image that is both pleasing and interesting, there should be something that gives context or perception. What you got was a good image of the blood moon. Pretty, but frankly, not one that I would hang on my wall.

I have noticed the greatest difference in UV versus no UV filter to be when taking shots outside and midday. I frankly see little difference between these two images and that, I think, is your point. My question, under what conditions were these shots made?

Clever.

I wish it had included which and that. Always confusing to me.

I think it was not at all unfair to give little information. In fact, I would suggest going the other direction, maybe something like "Adobe in Shadows and Light". After all, many know nothing of the Taos church so even mentioning it in the title gives them little information.

I think this image is quite beautiful and mysterious. The lighted object (that we now know is an adobe wall) draws the viewer in. It is only when one looks closely that the background comes into play but does little to identify what we are seeing. Dark and light, form, detail and subtlety make this a very pleasing image. I am very fond of abstract forms but many are not. Many people need to see something in an image that is clearly identifiable. Our brains want to work that way...they want to make order of what are eyes see. To me, that is the beauty of abstraction. There is nothing there to make identifiable. And yet, good abstraction makes use of the same rules that we see in good paintings or other types of images: Contrast, sharp and less sharp, intensity giving way to muted colors or shades, lines that point the way for our eyes. I think your image does that. Thanks for sharing.

I have been to Iceland. Stopped there for about 6 days on the way back to the U.S. From Norway. I went by myself. Spent a couple of days in Reykjavik then rented a car and drove up the eastern coast. I loved the trip. Very easy and great photography opportunities. I did not have hotel/motel reservations before setting out on the road trip. Lodging was easy to find when I was there in September. If I were to go again I would do the same thing but drive the entire ring road and take my time. One of the days I was in Reykjavik I hired a guide to take me to the interior and up on (yes on) one of the glaciers. It was worth every penny. Essentially there are very few roads in the interior of Iceland but there are small, usually gravel, roads off the main ring road. You can do these in a small car (as I did) or with a more rugged vehicle such as a SUV. I found that the small car worked just fine for what I wanted to do. You will also find that as you drive around Iceland you can pretty much stop anywhere and shoot. I stopped many times along side the main road and took shots. Very little traffic and wide shoulders helped. Anyway, enjoy!

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I've been three times and can't wait to get back. There are many parts of Africa that are safe. The people can be remarkably kind and the country can be so spectacularly beautiful. Please don't judge an entire continent by news headlines.

If all goes as planned I will be visiting Zimbabwe in about a year with a close friend who is a native zimbabwean and grew up in a rural community there. I am very much looking forward to the experience.

In an article in the local paper as of this morning, the Forest Service has stated that permits will not be required for professional or amateur photographs who photograph without usew of a model, actor, or props. new gathering organizations will also be exempt. The permit requirements are intended to target those who area making a movie or for other large commercial uses such as advertisement production.

Hi Minnie. Yes, I have played with that. The tube of the flower becomes luminous. I got some good shots but they need PP and have not been back. To them to work with them. It's on the list! Also want to do some more with light painting. I had one source I was using and I think it was too strong. I have to try some other, softer sources. I also want to play with placing gels over the light source.

Thank you for looking and your comments. I really appreciate it. Yes to the comment re hallucinogenic. There are many reported incidents of people ingesting parts of the plant and then dying. Not on my agenda.
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Thank you, Minnie. Yes, I agree, this early unfolding stage is very interesting to me. They open very quickly once the process starts so capturing the moment is a little difficult, particularly in very low light. I am also experimenting by adding light, but I want to retain the dark background with suggestion of leaves.