I agree, looks like you could get a lot more out of this picture with a bit of tweaking.

Thanks for that Chris. Strange, but religious symbolism often evokes strong negative feeling in me too, but not in this case. I am still a bit perplexed to be honest, and now not a little in awe of the power a crucifix can have over the interpretation of the artistic merit of a photograph. While I have understood your critique, it brings me no nearer to understanding what turns this image from the good but not exceptional image I see into "One of the best photos I have seen posted to this forum."

However, all credit to Paul for producing an image that has obviously made a huge impression. Whether I "get" it or not, he has achieved the aim of all of us as photographers, to make an image much more than the sum of its parts. For the reaction the picture has produced, I will concede it must indeed be an excellent image, whether I uderstand how it is working or not. I sincerely respect the opinion of all those here who have been so impressed by this image, and it would be incredibly conceited and narrow-minded of me to think you could all be wrong.

Lastly, no doubt I will continue to say what I think, far too late to change now!

Still confused though

I switched a while ago from Olympus to Pentax. My main reason was the high ISO noise of the E520 I had which was otherwise a great camera. My wife had a Pentax Km so switching to Pentax seemed a logical choice and I have no regrets. The weather sealing of the K7 and the two kit lenses was what sealed it. i have now a collection of 7 lenses covering from 10mm to 400mm including macro which I bought for a total of about a grand. Three of these are fasti(sh) primes , albeit fairly old ones. The same capabitility on Canikon or even Olympus had I stuck with them would have cost me a lot more money for the benefit of a couple of stops on a few of the lenses perhaps.
I am not a professional but if I was I might look at another brand. However the sheer bulk of the Canon full frame cameras might still put me off. As I travel a lot weight and size advantages are at the top of the list and the crop factor of Aps-C and smallish size of the K7 has distinct advantages in this regard. i dont see that switching brands again wouldl make me a better photographer but for some people there seems to be the idea that the costlier your kit the better results you will get. The only thing I would perhaps like is a fast 500mm lens but I would not use it enough to ever justify switching brands. I will stick with Pentax because for me its the best compromise between capability, quality ,size and price, and a vey good one at that.

apologies for not entering I had an operation on my shoulder on Monday and have not been able to wield a camera! Recovering noww however so bring on the next comp Gareth!

No afraid I dont get it but evidently I am in a minroity of one so I will bow to peer pressure and admit that maybe I am missing something. I hope no offence is taken at me voicing my opinion however which is based purely on what I feel when looking at this picture. I personally dont think it is as emotive or technically as good as many on your flickr account but that is of course just my personal opinion. I have never been one to not say what I think and I know this sometimes can cause offense.

Rgds
Jon.

Ialso find myself wondering if the reflection is digital manipulation as while showing the centre of the cross there is no sign of the white Christ figure in the relection...but perhaps this adds to the mysticism?

At the risk of appearing contentious or branded a philstine I dont see what people are raving about with this picture. The composition is good and overall the picture is a good one but I dont think it is great. The sky is burned out, and without the reflection (which is barely large enough to lift this image) it would just be a rather boring picture of a crucifix on a featureless cinder path that seems to lead nowhwere in a very boring field. The light looks flat to me and the lack of contrast makes the whole picture a bit too soft for my eyes.

I would suggest that it is the religious iconography of the main subject that leads some viewers to perhaps see more here than is actually there. Or perhaps the cross adds some mystical significance to which I am either immune or indifferent.

Sorry for being brutally honest and no doubt I am in a minority of one but opinions differ and I thought I would say what I thought rather than just take the easy way out and not comment at all.

Number 1 for me too, and Jacko has done a better job of describing why than I would have done! I agree with all his observations on the picture. Lovely set , I also really like number 6, especially the slightly forlorn expression on the puffins face, as if it's lost something!

I thought I would try and support this new competition with an entry, but had a bit of trouble finding one. However, I found a pic, taken last week, that fits the theme I guess, as it has six birds in it. However, I find birds in cages very disturbing so I was a bit reluctant to enter it, but at least the six birds in my picture were uncaged, but you can see the rows of cages in the background.

Six Uncaged: six birds in the bird market at Souq Waqif, Doha.




Whoops, forgot the exif, though should be on the pic anyway I think:

Pentax K7
Sigma 10-20
f8
1/100
ISO800