well the colors are wonderful as well as the reflection... i guess the composition could use a little repositioning, guess you tried all the flipping around, maybe more dynamic vertically? not sure without playing... great ideal though :]

When you put this vertically you will get a guillotine or a yes-man. I think this composition is OK. What do you think of turning this image into a black and white one? Should be perfect then.

:D Two comments and two different opinions already - well, here's a third: I think the compo and colors are great, and I just love the light! I'd be tempted to take another shot, maybe - with the focus set on the blade. I think this one's really cool as it is :))

For a dark mood you got it spot on! Position and light is good... Nice work!! :)

Im with Nuitek on this,i think the comp is great & i just luv the colour tones,but yes maybe a little more focus is needed on the blade :)

fantastic abstract. i like the cool steel blue compo.Excellent work. !!!!!! :O) !!!!!

Great picture

Im whith Nuitek and Legadia, a great composition and dark mood

Niutek said already what I was thinking... the compo and colors are great, and I just love the light! I'd be tempted to take another shot, maybe - with the focus set on the blade. I think this one's really cool as it is :)) Keep up your great work...

I don't love the violence and in this picture I feel fear. It's so real!!! Great shot!!! :)

Beautiful.....and I think this is one of those image that would work well in either color or BW... it's all personal preference. As already mentioned I agree that this image could be reshot with the focus on the blade... and if you wanted a little bit more dof if you wanted. In any case it's fabulous as is!

There is an interesting dance set up between the shape focus of the blade and the soft focus of the leather. The play between what is real the hard edge of the blade and not real the reflections on the blade heightens the tension already in the work by chose of subject matter. Color adds a lot to the drama that is played out here.

Nicely done! I do have to agree with the others about having the blade in focus.. although, there is the strong mood here which makes up for it. Glad one of my shots can inspire someone! Great work =)

Thanks so much everyone for your help. In the photo I was aiming to have the blade unfocused, as ralph pointed out. However, I did take some shots with it in focus, and the blade to the fore, but it didn't have the same feel. I wish I had taken some in this angle with the focus on the blade. The limited manual focus on my sony always makes that kind of selective focus a pain...but it should be worth it if I can get it to work. I actually played with the colour a bit in photopaint...it had a dreadfully blue cast due to lighting with my desklamp. I will try going to B&W and see how that comes out. I took a photo of a different blade at the same time which I might well post tomorrow. You can then tell me which you rather...will give me some more ideas for the reshoot ;) Thanks so much everyone...you've really been a great help.

Well, I got here late, but before I read the comments posted, my first thought was focus on the blade...this has enormous potential...looking forward to more.

For me it's an interesting abstract image with a dark mood and a mysterious light...

WEll I knida like the blade blurred this way your not sure how sharp it is or where it just might strike..but that is my look on it i like it alot..nicely done..^v^Julia

Excellent shot for this subject ! Very well done !!!!