Blot On The Landscape (in colour)

Why is it when something unexpected happens we’re usually in the wrong place at the right time? This photographer was caught in such a moment when a rainbow appeared over the world famous Ayres Rock. The photographer couldn’t get a better shot because they were trapped inside a tour bus which had momentarily stopped to savour the scene. They had no alternative but to include the car in the composition just to capture the view in any way they could. The photographer would probably have preferred to be inside the parked car for a clear shot of the Uluru landscape but as far as this competition is concerned sitting on the bus was definitely the right place at the right time.

The tranquil views of this Brighton seascape has been obliterated by the ferris wheel dominating the end of the road. While we photographers are drawn to such spectacular scenes we must spare a thought for the people living in the neighbourhood whose uninterrupted vision of the sea is suddenly spoilt by the erection of a giant revolving funfair ride. I like the decision to take the photo from far back to include the buildings and parked cars leading up to the wheel. The black and white treatment gives the composition an ethereal, timeless fine art quality.

Wind turbines are so commonplace nowadays that we’ve almost grown to accept them as part of our everyday landscape. Not surprisingly as this clever photo of turbines blending in with nature by mimicking the wind-blown grass demonstrates. A wise choice of infrared filter combined with mono conversion has given the wind farm protagonists a shared equilibrium. Very skilfully executed.

A perfect picturesque photograph of a beautiful sunset over the stunning north coast of Scotland. But what draws our eye is not the complimentary-coloured orange sky against the vignetted green landscape but the small sky blue van dumped in the centre of the foreground in what must surely be the northernmost fly tipped object in the UK. I’m in complete agreement with the photographer who struggles with the dual concept of blot and landscape being both disgusted and enchanted by the two at the same time. Well done for your honesty in including the dumped truck in your composition which most photographers would have cropped out.

In many cases a blot on the landscape can be the making of a photograph like in this inspired pastel beach view scene. Without the sand-covered twisted pipe the photo wouldn't have amounted to much so well done for including this very well-captured, well-positioned blot in your minimalist rule-of-thirds landscape composition.

The worst polluting effect on our landscape is worldwide garbage swept into our seas with terrible far-reaching consequences. This rubbish tip on a Vietnamese beach is part of the reason why 30 million metric tons of rubbish pollutes our oceans each year. Well done for taking this photo and bringing this dumping practise to our attention. Hopefully photos like this can shame governments to help put an end to our waste polluting the seas and killing our marine life.

Just like this photographer I’ve often come across this type of fencing snaking it’s way across the countrysides. The polythene sheet fencing has always intrigued me and I’ve also wondered why they are there. After some research I was intrigued to find that one of the reasons for their usage is as newt fencing. They are temporarily erected to keep newts and other amphibians either inside or outside an area for their own safety. Thank you for sharing this well-taken landscape photo of the blue fence weaving it’s way between clumps of green grass - it gave me an excuse to find out why it was there..

A giant cruise ship overpowering and damaging the delicate canal city of Canaletto’s 18th century oil paintings is one of the most controversial objects entered in this challenge. The ongoing dilemma of how close to allow these cruise ships to the historic centre has been raging for years. Well done for highlighting one of these oversized vessels responsible for overcrowding the tiny fragile city of Venice with 32,000 passengers a day.