And now, the commentary you've all been waiting for:

Bob Flint (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821642)
Yes, that pile of yellow lumber was too close at one point, but not anymore.
It would have been nice if Bob had decided to wait for a train, crouch down,
and have the train narrowly miss him, thus risking life and limb for our
entertainment, but, inexplicably, he didn't. I like the colors, haze,
perspective, and composition, though.

Mr. Blobby (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821673)
Nice storm shot, I'd prefer more lightning and less foreground. I know how
difficult it is to predict lightning, so any lightning shot is better than
none, and being even this close is too close. Especially if you have your
camera mounted on a metal tripod, which provides nature with a super
lightning rod. Hopefully, you used a Gitzo carbon model for this shot. I
like it, but I'm a sucker for lightning shots.

Parv (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821674)
Way, way too close. Spot on for the mandate, and disgusting, too. Yes, it's
just folded skin, but still pretty gross. Good job.

Al Denelsbeck (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821675)
Nice close up shot of a spider (?) getting too damned close to a Mantis.
It's screwed. Too bad this isn't video, and we could watch the results
unfold. Of course, the phrase "too close" doesn't make it for the spider,
since it has learned that the Mantis lives in a slightly larger sphere of
influence than it does. Services to be held later.

Joseph Kewfi (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821676)
Good shot! This guy's face makes you certainly feel that you've invaded his
personal space, and are too damned close. If my friend John, from the
shipping dock, could see this guy, he'd want to smack him. Nevertheless,
right on for the mandate, and a good shot.

Tom Hudson (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821677)
Tough shot to get, and I don't care for the overall softness of the image.
Also, not sure who's too close to who, or if the shooter is too close to the
action.

Bowser (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821678)
Now you know why Zeiss goes all the way to Softar III. If he ever sees this
shot, he'll kill me.

Owamanga! (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821679)
Close shot, but I honestly don't get it. Of course, I never got the Mona
Lisa, either. Hard to tell from the shot what your close to, and if you are
indeed too close.

Jim Kramer (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821680)
Neat shot of the spider, but what I like are the reflections in the various
beads of water. Maybe I like this shot because I hate spiders, or maybe it's
just a nice shot. Either way, it does convey the meaning of the mandate, and
you do feel too damned close to the spider. Nice job.

Bret Douglas (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49821681)
Another too damned close bug shot from the MP-E (is that right?) close up
lens. It's right on for the mandate, and a nice shot, but I don't know what
it is. And it's disgusting. And we were all hoping that Bret's
interpretation of the mandate somehow involved cheerleaders. Thanks, Bret.
Thanks so much.

The Dave (http://www.pbase.com/shootin/image/49825727)
Way, way too close to some of those titles! Flip Wilson? Starfleet? Yes, you
want to keep some distance from titles like that, fer sher. Good shot, too.