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From sshaw@fas.harvard.edu:
This was one of the few images in this competition that struck me the moment
that I looked at it.  Before reading the text file, I recognized the historical
reference.  You succeeded in balancing the detail of the skulls with detail and
composition in the rest of the image, creating a visual mood that conveys the
theme of the subject.  I think that this is very well done.

I would like to make some constructive comments as well, not to detract from my
praise but because they might be more useful to you than my just gushing.  I
saw only two things that I would change in the image.  First, the paint bubbles
just don't look right to me.  I'm not sure why.  Second, I would expect the
exposed metal under the paint to be completely and uniformly rusted.

My only reason for going low on the technical vote is that, though you did
everything appropriate for this image, that ended up not being too technically
difficult.  I applaud the attention to composition over flashy technique,
however.


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From sammy@cube.net:
Very good, even if the skulls are not yours, the viewpoint, the lighting and the
use of focal points are great! 
So far the best one I've seen for this round!

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From Martin.Magnusson.7121@student.uu.se:
This is very beautiful. The light is good, the models, textures - it's all
great.
The only thing I can find to caomplain about is the placement of the skulls,
they still look a bit too lined up, I think.

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From jerry@hoboes.com:
The skulls may not be yours, but the texturing on the skulls is what really
makes them. That's one hell of a bone texture! Very nice use of focal blur as
well. About the only recommendation is that the rust could use a bit more
work--it isn't quite as photorealistic as the rest of the image.
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From gregj56590@aol.com:
Good textures and composition/positioning, much more impressive in full 800 x
600!
Theme is good, too.  

I am very glad to not see a self-congratulatory temple dedicated to "13" in the
background of this image!
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From jull43@ij.net:
I see rows of skulls. My first thought was Roman 
Catacombs. But with either Cambodia or Kosovo, I still see 
skulls, not an event of history. 


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From bsieker@techfak.uni-bielefeld.de:
Very good, even though the skull objects are not original. Excellent atmophere
and makes me speechless again when thinking of the many genocides that happen
even in this century. Still not a tasteless image, but frighteningly
realistic.

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From djohnston@iname.com:
I must say I really liked this image. It had a very 
distinctive feel to it. The lighting is very  key, as it helps 
eccentuate the skulls' shape. Everything just has a very 
eeire look to it. Very well done!

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From jaime@ctav.es:
Another wow! Thanks for the architectural break! (it's a joke: I work for 
architects, you know... :). Very good blur/composition combination. Lighting
is also marvelous. 



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From gmccarter@hotmail.com:
The subtle lighting, focal blur, and muted textures combine to produce an image
of startling realism.  Subdued, disturbing, mature.  The medium (raytracing)
fades into the background and the message (horror) comes across loud and
clear.
Nitpick?  Needs a few cracks in the skulls.
Great work, possibly your best to date.

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From davidwilkinson@cwcom.net:
Gruesome but awsome.

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From ethelm@bigfoot.com:
Very effective image

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From 101741.541@compuserve.com:
Dark but clever theme.  The scene setting reinforce the 
drama.  In fact, I see
nothing wrong about that image, it's near-perfect in 
every aspect; you even
had the nerve to NOT put some architecture anywhere ;)
- "1 poster for Mr O'Brien"
- "I know, I know... it's the 11th !"

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From bobfranke@halcyon.com:
Nathan, you went serious on us.  A very powerful image, 
I am glad you hid the trademark "13", it would be out of 
place here.  I can't think of how to improve the image.  I 
like the use of focal blur and the textures.

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From skywise@fix.net:
To be short, great image :)


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From r@surt.ifi.uio.no:
Wow!  This is a really great entry!  The positioning of the camera, and the
slight irregularities in the orientation of the skulls makes for brilliant
composition, and the texture of the shelf they are sitting on gives the image a
lot more credibility.  The only down side is that  the *excellent* skull and
jawbone models are not original, and that they form such a central part of the
image. Brilliant, photoreal image.  PS: It's totally irrelevant, but I once saw
a shelf of skulls like this in a small mountian village in the Pyrannies.
Excecutued Knights Templars from the 15th century. Grusome... :-)
Notable for composition


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From r@pluto.icom-solutions.com:
Excellent composition - only suggestion for improvement would be differences in
the skulls. 
Notable for composition, lighting


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From r@ppp20.rtn.net.mx:
the skulls structure dont look like real specially on the "nose", texture and
lighting are AMAZING
Notable for lighting, textures


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From r@98cab144.ipt.aol.com:
That woven thing that they're sitting on fascinates me. Good job.
Notable for originality, composition, lighting