***WINNERS ~ Mini Challenge #450 ~ Best of 2014***

Thanks again to all those who took part. These were my favourites of those submitted into the challenge, though some of those shared just for fun would've been contenders too.

First the HMs in no particular order.

Of the three charming creature portraits submitted by ANAYV, this cat was the one that charmed me the most.



I loved the different layers and colours in Ta Klong's Aspen shot



More great layers and textures in Andre W's stunning picture of Sossuviei in Namibia. Enticing and forbidding at the same time.



The Winners

In Third place A620er's excellent shot of the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia.

As with the other landscape shots I've chosen, I love the layers and textures of this hostile landscape which the B&W treatment emphasises. As does the tiny little cottage, insignificant in its surroundings.



Second Place

SayCheese's High Rise Living in Hong Kong.

The architecture is harsh and brutal, but the drying washing hanging from some of the windows give glimpses of the inhabitants. The roof garden with flowers, lush greenery, chequered floor and dining set is a wonderful and very human oasis.



First Place

Elliott Schwartz ~ Tree Frog





I just loved everything about this picture as soon as I saw it. The lighting and composition are superb and the cute colourful frog, small and fragile, and so smooth and shiny on the lined hand. Everything comes together beautifully to create a lovely gentle, photograph, one I'd be proud to have taken.



The baton now passes to you Elliott to choose the theme and host the next Mini-Challenge.

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Stephen

Excellent Choice, well done Elliott

Congrats Elliott! A beautifully done shot. Congrats to the rest of the winners and hm's - and thanks Stephen, for a great job of hosting.

...... for hosting the challenge & for my third place

Well done to SayCheese & Elliott for their winning entries

And a very Happy Christmas to all on this forum

Paul

Nice job and congrats all around!

Murry

I love the Aspen shot and the exceptional tiny tree frog shot. The rooftop patio shot no doubt has to be seen in context to have the most impact, but I want to zoom in on the patio to see more of the idiosyncrasies of the owners.

I've sent Elliott a PM.

Well done Elliot - congrats - love the capture!

Also thanks to Stephen for hosting the challenge - appreciated.

Regards from South Africa

Andrè W

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I'm currently pondering a topic and will start a thread for the next mini-challenge soon.