This is a great example of using the brightest part of the image to draw the eye to the main subject. The secluded beach with wreck instantly attracts attention, without being too overpowering, and allows for the eye to explore the rest of the scene to get a great sense of scale. The colours of the water and the sand even feel representative of the country this shot is taken. Beautiful shot!
It looks like a painting! I believe this statement is a wonderful compliment for a photo because it implies that the scene was derived from imagination and precisely designed to entice a viewer. This photo has a wonderful dreamlike abstract feel as the main subject with a gentle reminder of reality in the foreground. The slight reflection of the blue in the sky to contrast with the overall warm tones is a great touch! A beautiful shot to brighten anyone's day!
The gorgeous light on the rocks and just the right amount of highlights on the lighthouse to draw the eye towards the main subject are the first things that I liked about this shot. I love the muted colours to match the stormy feel of the clouds too. I can place myself in the scene and feel the glare of the setting sun just to my right. The line of the path from the foreground rocks to the lighthouse fits beautifully as well. Great work!
Such a striking image with a interesting perspective and sense of scale. You really get a feel for how large and sheer these cliffs are with the ant-like human figures right alongside them. The distant lighthouse feels dwarfed by the scale of the foreground and is a great addition to break up the negative space on the right. . Good use of telephoto to show off a location. It can be so tempting to step back and capture the entire scene, when a better option may be to zoom in a focus on what's important.
Normally I'm not a fan of photos of other peoples art, but this photo is a great example of how to do it right. You've taken a man made feature of the landscape and made it your own in a wonderfully minimalistic way. The sculpture of the squatting figure could be seen as any size, until the viewer spots the tiny figures walking away. I then find myself giving life to the sculpture as it watches the toy-like humans walking away from it.
What makes this image so captivating to me is the glare in the sky. Bright highlights are so easily blown out and lose their realistic qualities. The soft warm glow forces the eyes away, like real glare, to examine details of the rest of the scene. These highlights still anchor the interest in the centre of the photo. Beautiful colours and light and a wonderfully expansive scene!
A wonderfully balanced image in exposure and composition. The stage of rock in the foreground anchors the image while leading the eye into the ethereal waters. The sun rays dance in the sky and silhouette the distant island; which is perfectly placed to add contrast in otherwise negative space. Excellent choice of shutter speed to blur out the water while still retaining subtle detail throughout.
If a Yin Yang was an image. The flow of the image begins with the pier leading the eye to the silhouetted figure contrasting against the light water. It then wraps around the dark tree to the inverse contrast of bright highlights between the tree and reflection. A wonderfully mood filled image with simplistic complexity.
The textures and patterns throughout this image are magnificent! The sand has a blend of molten gold and bunched up silk. The colour of the rock beautifully contrasts with the sand, adding it's own unique texture. When I look at the rock alone, I find myself wondering if this is all under water as the lines on the rock look like water highlights. The scale of the image is also reminiscent of high altitude abstract photos. The longer I look, the more images I see in the folds of the sand. Great eye and well controlled post processing!
Brief
See more contest details
The variety of ways in which land meets water should provide a vast array of imagery for this contest. From local lakes to miles-long ocean beaches, on still days and windy ones, the character of our shorelines change constantly. Submissions do not necessarily have to be devoid of people or their constructions, as so much waterside terrain has now been populated by us.
5,685 Images entered
1,834 Photographers
This is such a captivating image from a simple composition and subject matter. Beaches are great for capturing grand vistas with beautiful weather and sunsets. It takes a good eye to be able to see the worth of less inviting weather conditions. This photo gives a clear sense of place and allows the viewer to imagine the sounds of the rain and crashing waves. Even the seagulls on the side add to the interest of the story this shot provides. Great work!
Such a calming and dreamy image! You've done an excellent job to control your exposure with bright sky reflections and darker shadows of the boat. The composition of the off centred moored boat is balanced nicely with the subtle detail of the cloud reflection. It would be easy to miss a capture like this in favour of the broader scene. This shows you have a good eye for what makes a stand out photo.
Meet the expert judge
Simple, elegant, and beautiful. A softness in subject matter and colour that works so well. The red on the centre poll is just the right hue to stand out against the pale green of the water.
To be incredibly nit picky (due to looking at this image for so long and in depth because I liked it so much), the horizon is ever so slightly off dead straight, and has a few small white lines to the left (wind turbines?) that distract an exploring eye. However, straightening the horizon would mean the structure wouldn't be dead straight and would need to be considered.
I do love this image and think it's an amazing piece of art!
