Its difficult to know what their intentions are, but theyve absolutely succeeded in terrifying a child, and theyve probably made an enemy of him for the rest of his life.

This image became very controversial while editing a slide show from our coverage of the 2007 Seattle Erotic Art Festival. Many editors felt that this work belonged in an appropriate representation of the festival, where some works are explicit while others, such as this, are more subtle and are more than what you might see at first glance. Blatant at first, upon closer inspection the torso is stemming out of a wine or martini glass - which adds an interesting element. But for some, there's no seeing past the idea that it's just a reproduction of a woman's nethers. What do you think? Should it have been included in the slideshow? See the story and slideshow here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17819862/

Help Wanted: Rhinoceros Inseminator must provide your own helmet and a big plastic suit.

Details, Details, Details... I like how put together the Queen is in this picture. It reminds me of how my grandmother and ladies of her generation presented themselves in public. They always looked so buttoned down and classy. It gave them a sense of quiet authority that I NEVER questioned.

Even though its subjects' faces are largely obscured, this is a remarkably expressive picture. The "por favor" sign's arc and placement over the curved helmet suggest a plea for help in the phone call (real or not), and the idyllic blue sky and palm trees on the laptop contrast with the miserable situation these men face.

What a great assignment to go shoot a crazy beard festival. Wish I could have been this photographer.

There were several different versiosn of this photo from other photographers at the event and I paused to look at them but passed on them because they were shot with wider angle lenses. But this photographer shot with a long lens and brought me right into the subject. It goes to show you that lens choice can often make or break your images.

An extreme example of "standing your ground." Would you go this far to protect your property?

Sometimes a scan through our photo database feels like a quick journey around the world. This picture conjured up that feeling, giving me a chance to marvel at the artistry of this shrine half a world away. For you folks with big monitors, maximize your photoblog window so you can see the picture big enough to check out the details in the tile.

I'm attracted to the layers of patterns in this glimpse of home life in Mauritania.

Eighty one years after Houdini died his great-nephew wants to exhume his body to determine how he really died. Do you think he'll be in there?

At some point this morning Naomi Campbell was getting ready for her day, and something like this idea must have run through her head Hmm, Ive got that community service thing at the sanitation department again today, what should I wear? Wait a minute THIS fur coat is fabulous!

This photo really struck a nerve. This boy stands next to a heavily armed masked militant and eats his ice cream cone like it's nothing. Children shouldn't be subjected to war.

Covering protest usually gets me down. You get the feeling that everything is done just for the camera and that is boring. However, sometimes a group of protesters can get creative, and thats when it becomes a visual treat.

I like what Dimas Ardian did with lens choice, camera angle and exposure in this picture. It is a stark, but also respectful representation of another cultures burial custom. It informs and engages the viewer without being judgmental or sensational.

Safin Hameds beautiful picture of the Kurdish new year celebration is all about color and mood. Im glad he left the strobe in his camera bag. Artificial light would have ruined all that is right about this picture.

Isolating elements of a subject can be a good photographic tactic. Hippos have always looked like creatures from another time to me. Photojournalist Martin Meissners close study of this hippos eye illustrates that idea very well.

Talk about a tough row to hoe Some of my in-laws are farmers, and they are very connected to their local weather patterns. It directly impacts their livelihood. I cant imagine what this farmer is going through.

Making news pictures at press conferences can be a horrible thing. Access is controlled. Movement is limited. You have very little control over the lighting. That is why Im always impressed when a photographer comes back with an interesting picture.

The United States has been at war for four years. Just about everyone agrees that strategic mistakes were made, and nobody is blaming the troops. I get frustrated as I listen to most of the arguments about the war. So many times it boils down to name calling and over-simplification. Meanwhile, the world becomes a more dangerous place. Lets talk about what America should do now. Please limit comments to your position rather than attacking other views.

I came across this picture while working on the edit for our weekly Animal Tracks slideshow. I can't say that I have ever seen an elephant paint a picture before and just found this very interesting. While I did not include it in Animal Tracks for this week because there was a better picture of an elephant that I wanted to use, I thought I would share it with everyone.

The day that Im handed one of these and told to go work on a story is the day I make good on the idea of opening a little custom furniture woodshop. I just dont need this level of technological pervasiveness. Am I the only one who finds consumer electronics to be mostly disappointing?

Today MSNBC has a story about binge drinking on college campuses getting more intense. The overly protective dad in me keeps saying that I should be worried, but honestly it just makes me miss college. Are you concerned?

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says whether or not he stays in the administration is up to President Bush, but MSNBC.com is interested in your opinion. Do you think he should stay, or is it time for him to go?

Turning blue during mating season... There is a really funny joke in there somewhere.