This is a photo that I waffle on. Some days I really like it. Other days I don’t see what led me to take the photo in the first place. I think it’s the abstractness of the pattern that leads to my wishy washy opinions. This photograph has enough pattern to it that I can sometimes see and appreciate the pattern and texture together. Other days, it just looks like a random photograph of some grass in the snow.
Today I like it, so I’m posting it before I change my mind again. I won’t be offended if you don’t like it! (Maybe you’ll like it better tomorrow…)
Prairie grass and snow at sunrise. Lincoln Creek Prairie, Aurora, Nebraska.
The Prairie Ecologist 
I like the photo – a lot.
I like to take photos of insects, but occasionally take photos of scenes like your snow and grass when it something about the scene strikes a chord. Later I often feel the same toward them as you do toward yours. During the time that I don’t like them, I usually delete them.
This picture makes me want to burrow down into the subnivean, like a vole.
Chris: It is a nice photo but I can understand your ambivalence! The beauty of the golden grass stalks against the white snow is remarkable. One of the problems for a photographer confronted with a situation like this is overcoming the initial beauty of the situation and working through to a composition that reflects your initial response. This is a case where you just have to work the scene until you can overcome your reaction catch the beauty of the abstraction – you just have to keep shooting (pounding that nail) until it is driven home! Having said that – it is a very nice photo! Mark!
Of course it’s a nice photo, Chris. I think they question you’re really wanting to ask is is it a “Wow” photo?
I face the question you’re asking yourself every time I sit down to cull a shoot. And to be honest, to make that job easier, I’ve been trying to ask myself that question before I ever push the button. It’s to easy to push that thing in the digital age.
It’s a tough question. But I try not to be too quick to hit the delete button. While it might not be my favorite, someone else might love it. One photo I almost deleted ended up on the cover of NEBRASKAland.
And as you see from the comments, people like your photo.
Thanks Eric. Yeah, it changes things when you’re shooting for others – and not just for yourself. I’m like you, I’ve had lots of shots that I thought were mediocre at best end up in a publication,on somone’s wall or in a selection of “great photos”. Makes it pretty hard to cull photos… I guess to maintain our artistic integrity (??) we should keep culling based on our own feelings and take what comes.
– Chris