Balconies

Some may find images such as this rather sterile and dull but I love the contrast between the structured ordiliness of both the architecture and the composition, and the fact that each balcony is unique, with sometimes only subtle differences between them. These differences provide the viewer wth plenty to expore, both on a superficial level, but also inviting the viewer to create a narrative abut he idividual lives of the residents of the flats. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

The striking compositon and bold contrasts initially drew me to this image. The balconies in the structure on the right act as strong leading lines and draw the eye into the frame to explore the more distant seaside scene. Athough relatively large in the frame, the wing-like strucure on the left dos not distract, and serves to fill what would have otherwise been an over-large expanse of sky. The conversion to black and white has been done really well, and suits the architectural subject. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

What a great capture of the balconies jutting out from this beachside high-rise, giving a little glimpse into the lifestyle of some of the residents as they sit out in an enviable spot as the sun goes down over the ocean. Captured in silhouette brings great mood and drama to the shot, and the brighter sky behind allows the balconies, plus the two figures on one of the balconies, to really stand out. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

There were a fair number of entries in this contest of people on the baconies, but for me, most did not work too well, as they were more a personal shot of the subject posing on a bacony, rather than something with wider public appeal. Here however, we get a sense that there is no personal connection with the photographer, so to the viewer they are also anonymous. The scene is comfortable and easy to view, documenting a companionable moment between neighbours. Plenty of interesting details for the eye to explore on the balconies. Great conversion to black and white too. Well done on your top ten placing.

I love the abstract nature of this shot, which brings an added dimension to an architectural composition. The waving curves, diminishing towards the back of the frame, really draw the eye to the image. It is good that we also get to see the full balconies in the foreground, which prevents the shot being too abstract. Great colours, and good capture of the light, as it reflects off the shiny surfaces. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

I love this shot, so simple in its concept, but very effective in the resulting image. You have got the composition and framing spot-on, as there look to be just enough balconies included to give good balance to the shot, and give a little bit of context to the abstract. Being picky, I may have been tempted to darken down the shadows somewhat to make more of the contrasts. I am also not sure about the "floating" frame effect, as the dark line on the far right tends to draw the eye out of the image. Still a great shot, well done on your top ten placing.

A fantastic shot, well-seen, and an image that demands the viewer take a second look to find out what we are really looking at, as on first viewing the scene looks rather improbable. I like that the balconies have their furniture casually scattered about, and I am undecided whether the image would have been even stronger with the presence of a person or two on a balcony, although on second thoughts that may have been a little intrusive. I love the capture of the surf breaking as the ship cruises steadily on. Congratulations on your third place finish.

What a fabulous mosaic of richly coloured balconies. I love that there are so many balconies to view, which brings an abstract feel to the shot. However we are close enough in to be able to see little details that make each balcony unique. Tones and colours ard great, with a rich warmth to the shot. Congratulations on your second place finish.

This is the sort of image that would work well enlarged, as there is so much to look at and hold the attention. I love that the shot is equally abstract and documenting the architecture. The conversion to black and white has been especially well handled with a good range of tones and bold contrasts. The precision of the composition, and possibly some tweaks in post-processing, gives perfectly aligned horizontals and verticals, with nothing cropped into on the edges of the frame. A striking image, very well executed. Congratulations on your winning image.

A brilliantly well observed scene where you have spotted the "odd ones out" amongst a set of virtually identical balconies. The composition is very regimented, which is perfect for this subject, and serves to further draw attention to the two plants that have been shifted from their central positions, and as indicated in your image description, have taken on a kind of animated form and look to be in neighbourly conversation. The bright orange shutters make a lovely contrast with the grim grey concrete of the architecture. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.