Forgotten Angel

Admittedly I edited the picture pretty heavily. The only way to achieve this picture otherwise would have been studio lighting, and I wasn't about to steal the bust and take it to some studio somewhere. Basically I used the curves and contrast tools to get the picture like this, and then any other highlights which still stood out of the black background a paint-brushed out.

Leaves with Dew

Pictures like this are what wakes photography worth it for me. The lighting was perfect for the shot, it was an overcast afternoon. It had just rained. The composition too, is great. I wouldn't have changed it a bit if I'd the chance to take the picture again.
Had I been frustrated at the high ISO setting of 800, I would have never captured this shot. Better to have a noisy shot than a blurry one. Anyways, noise in this shot is totally acceptable, not making any appearance until the shot is blown up.