Winner Chosen - April 2012 - Admin's choice - Image of the month

[Marko]

(I just want to preface this month's choice by saying it was very very very difficult to choose only one image...)

Hi members,

In case you are new around here this is where the Admin (me) chooses one excellent photo each month from all the photos nominated by other members during that month in the Member's monthly choice forum.

Just so it's clear, the photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I've come to realize it's not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That's why there are categories in photo contests. My goal is to simply choose an excellent photo and talk about why I think it rocks.

This month's choice is weeds yet to be by JustinRyan215

I chose this image for several reasons:

Perspective - The perspective here is not what we are used to seeing and it totally works. It gives the dandelion an abstract feel (for a second at first look, it looked like a jellyfish) yet we know what we are looking at. I really like the "starlike" wisp patterns that we are seeing here and this is wholly due to the perspective.

Processing - The processing makes the image pop without drawing too much attention to itself. I also like the vignette which helps frame the whole subject.

Exposure - Very well handled and this is a difficult subject. The whites (especially around the perimeter of the weed) have just enough detail to be as delicate as the dandelion itself.

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month. Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That's cool but THIS thread is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again JustinRyan215 for this creative image.