With so many exceptional images in this contest, it was difficult to select an overall winner. However, this image stood out for me. for several reasons: the exposure is spot on, with no blown highlights and subtle detail in the dark areas; the colours are clear and bright, without being garish; the choice of viewpoint creates a pleasing symmetrical composition which draws the eye into the picture; the darker band at the bottom "grounds" the image while still adding interest with its zig zags of bright and dark triangles.. Had this photo been taken in daylight, it would have had far less impact. The decision to capture the building by night, with the associated patterns of light and shade superimposed on the facade, adds a layer of depth which is very pleasing visually - and epitomises the theme of architecture by night. Well done!
A stunning image - a structure with a strong, distinctive shape, perfectly mirrored in its watery setting gives the impression of a building floating in space. ...an illusion enhanced by inky black of the sky and the crescent moon above. The steely cool blue of the external cladding contrasts beautifully with the warm times of the interior. Wonderful!
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I look at this image and my eye travels round in a circle of delight. It flows from the subtly lit vegetation in the bottom left corner, along the rocky curve of rocks at the bottom of the image, then up and along the dark lines of the bridge, its structure embellished by lamps receding into pin pricks of light in the darkness, then back via the elongated reflections of lamp light in the water. The tones are subtle and areas of warm brightness are nicely balanced in the overall composition with its focal point of bright cool white light in the distance. The "letterbox" format is just right for the composition. Only at night when the lights are on, is it possible to achieve this wonderful combination of elements. Worth staying up late for!
An image where reflections in water of architecture at night are key to the composition. This image stood out for me because of the strong diagonal lines which draw your eye into the image; the mirror glass reflections of buildings old and new in the waterway they front,; the colours and textures of the varied facades, all beautifully lit but not garish. There is a wonderful clarity and stillness in this image, enhanced by the moon hanging in the sky and reflected in the water below. Beautiful!
Most of the images in this contest captured architecture from the outside. This image stood out because it looks from the inside to the outside - a special feature of the "Vessel" viewing platform at Hudson Bay Yards in NYC. The photographer has captured this amazing structure of interwoven staircases from a great viewpoint as night falls, allowing the patterns of the staircases to stand out against the fading light of the sky whilst being illuminated within the structure itself. Well framed by the buildings on either side, the silhouettes of visitors on the staircases give us a delightful clue about the scale of this enormous structure. The subtle colour palette is also beautiful. Worthy of inclusion in the top 10!
This image is an eye catcher! I love the composition, with its strong horizontal bands of sky, water and rocks, and the brightly lit bridge piers and suspension cables taking centre stage! The colour palette is otherwise subtle, with the warm, golden glow of the low level lights contrasting nicely with the deep green blues of the water and post sunset purples and mauves of the sky. The jagged shapes of the rocks in the foreground add visual interest while echoing the patterns of light on the bridge itself. The moiré patterns in the suspension cables are well captured and nicely topped off by the small but noticeable red light crowning the bridge supports - like a tiny cherry on a cake. Nice one!
Some may wonder why I have included this image in my top 10, when there are so many eye catching images in the contest with lots going on. However, it was the quietness of this image that attracted my attention. By day, I imagine the scene would have been rather mundane and a bit boring,. However, by night, it comes alive. I love the contrast of the cool blue light of the windows against the deep warm red of the building, and the way this is reflected in what appears to be snow on the sidewalk. The shadow of the street lamp on the left gives us a clue as to the source of light falling on the facade, which creates interesting shadows, throwing the built form into relief. The composition is well balanced, centred on the lit windows and air con fan, but framed by elements of light and shade. The every day subject and the dramatic lighting remind me of paintings by American artist Edward Hopper. The more I look at this image, the more I like it. A slow burner but worthy of being included in the top 10!
I've seen images like this before but taken in daylight. However, under cover of darkness, the scene is very different. The random pattern of lights serving individual units give the appearance of a sparkling mosaic - very pleasing to the eye. Colours on the building are strong but not garish, and contrast well with the washed out dimness on the night sky they frame. I'm glad you visited at night time and shared with us. Thank you!
For me, this image stood out amongst other photos of individual buildings because of the beautiful velvety rich, but subtle, colour palette. You can almost feel the remains of the day's heart coming off the building as night falls. The exposure is perfect - enough to allow the viewer to appreciate the starlit sky as well as the textures of the building, the steps leading up to it and the sandy outcrop on which it sits. The low viewpoint with the backdrop of stars provides a perfect setting for this modest but beautiful piece of Arabic architecture, captured by night. Now I want to see it for myself. Bravo!
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Night-time architecture photography is a creative way to capture everyday shots. When buildings are illuminated at night, their shapes and features are enhanced in a very different way to how they are during the day. The key is in getting the exposure and colour balance right, in addition to the standard rules of composition. Good luck!
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The River Tyne where it runs through Newcastle n the UK is a great choice of location for photography day or night, with its distinctive buildings and bridges reflected in the water of the river. I like the way the photographer has framed the Sage Centre by the arch of the Millennium Bridge. However, I wish you had included the reflection of the bridge in its entirety, rather than cutting it off at the bottom of the image - it feels like a piece of the jigsaw puzzle is missing. The colours are also very intense - maybe pull back on saturation/vibrancy just a little? Otherwise - a good shot, with well handled exposure and pin sharp.
