Close, But No Cigar? by 30pics4jackiesdiamond

Close, But No Cigar?

My challenge from Mary was to depict "Close, but no cigar!" which has been very difficult to depict without just missing photographing a kingfisher, a falling droplet or splash of a water crown.

Hazel asked me to take a photo of her with Ray. I used her 'phone, and here Hazel is looking disappointedly at the terrible photos I took!
@mcsiegle best I could think of
@quietpurplehaze21 hope one of them was better than this one!!
January 22nd, 2026  
I cannot see anything wrong with this picture of the two of them! It’s definitely shows their absorption in your photography
January 22nd, 2026  
Great interpretation. Tough challenge.
January 22nd, 2026  
😂
January 22nd, 2026  
Good one
January 22nd, 2026  
I'm sure Haze @quietpurplehaze21 and Ray will be pleased with the photos on Haze's phone
January 22nd, 2026  
Oh gosh. Hope you made them good for them.
January 23rd, 2026  
LOL that is an inventive response to the challenge.
January 23rd, 2026  
How wonderful to see the two of them again! In this instance I think "natural" is more charming than "posed" (but one has their eyes shut!)
January 23rd, 2026  
I do like the expression on Hazel’s face that you have captured.
January 23rd, 2026  
Ha ha ... I thought I recognised that lady in your photo! Fun shot and narrative.
January 23rd, 2026  
@jamibann thank you
@tiaj1402 she wasn't impressed
@Weezilou so, no cigar?

@gardencat I struggled!
@randystreat took done on my phone that were better than this and those
@phil_howcroft I sent some from mine

@joansmor I tried
@narayani ta
@wakelys I couldn't be bothered to miss drops, rainbows or stuff
@grammyn or disappointed
January 23rd, 2026  
I had to Google the challenge title to really understand it and found:
The phrase 'close, but no cigar' and a variation, 'nice try, but no cigar,' originated in the United States during the mid-20th century, when carnival booths gave out cigars as prizes. One had to win a game to get a cigar; a close call went unrewarded.

We of course, do prefer the other photo.
And yes, I think the android phone did a better job in the circumstances than my iPhone.

@jamibann @tiaj1402 @Weezilou @gardencat @randystreat @phil_howcroft @joansmor @narayani @wakelys @grammyn @30pics4jackiesdiamond
January 23rd, 2026  
Brilliant
January 23rd, 2026  
Lovely shot and narrative.
January 23rd, 2026  
It looks fine to me but we are always our own worst critic
January 24th, 2026  
Brilliant interpretation! Mission well accomplished.
January 26th, 2026  
This is a great interpretation. Love the subdued lighting and the look on her face.
January 29th, 2026  
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