Some people say that I have difficulty making decisions. However, I don't know ...
Well, I'll sort it out backwards:
8. There's juster's
Ferocactus pilosus; maybe it's the slightly unsteady border at the top right that keeps it off the winner's podium.
7. With Mike T's
Mammillaria hahniana, it may be because the perfect flower crown is slightly cropped at the bottom.
5. + 6. What could seriously speak against the technically brilliant pictures (the light! the focus!) of the
Mammillaria hook and the
Gasteria 'Little Warty' presented by el48tel? Probably just that I prefer a format-filling motif in this case ...
The following four images have all temporarily landed at number 1 on my list during the course of today. So maybe the result could be a different one if you ask me later again. Respect to all your contributions!
4. The grazing light on Mike T's
Opuntia shoot emphasizes the structure wonderfully - in some way it's reminding me of some Günther Uecker's works, only with smaller nails
3. Once again it is Mike T, whose photo of
Agave filifera I award the bronze medal. Here it is the beautiful diffuse lighting that appeals to me: no hard shadows that would spoil this motif, but enough light to make the plant glow.
2. Unfortunately only 2nd place after photo finish (I'll be banished to pun hell for this one
) goes to Philip P-V with his
Haworthiopsis limifolia var.
ubomboensis. A very harmonious color spectrum, ideal illumination and - as with many other entries - a square format that emphasizes the symmetry!
1. And the winner this month is ... Tony Roberts! Eventually I decided on his portrait of
Gasteria batesiana Barberton Form. The perspective accentuates the structure and color of the plant, and also adds a little dynamics, not too much, not too little - perfect!
So, congratulations to Tony!
I'm looking forward to the February challenge
Wolfgang
