Blue skies
Iwona Williams

Blue skies

June 2025

Entry 23018430
2376th
27

A subtle yet vibrant dockland area where the sky sets the scene. The subtle industrial greens point sharply up and down at the soft natural blues with contrast and clarity, cutting through the middle of the blue sky and the water like a saw. A perfect use of polarisation that gives a lot of life to the photo.

A handful of peaks basking under high-altitude light, the deep blue sky providing a feeling of contrast to the rough terrain with crisp cool air and warming light. The clouds seated below, make the hiker seem like he's in the sky itself. If the sky was a destination then it definitely feels like we have arrived there in this photo.

Crowd
winner
Entry 23019674
1st
147

This image embraces the brief with a strikingly simple play on tone and symmetry. The rich blue sky blends seamlessly with the vibrant blue of the shed, creating a monochromatic effect that’s both clean and bold. The use of direct sunlight sharpens the contrast with the white trim, making the scene pop. A simple yet impactful composition. Feels very modern yet old worldy at the same time.

Entry 23020881
91st
20

This image captures the magic of a clear winter day, where the deep blue sky feels almost otherworldly against the fresh, untouched snow. The snow-covered trees stand like silent sentinels, beautifully contrasting with the sky’s rich hue. There’s a real sense of calm and clarity here, with the sky playing a powerful, leading role in the composition.

A softly dramatic desert shot with the sky set as the main stage. The polarised blue makes the dry landscape feel surreal, even cinematic. A lush balance of colour, contrast, and composition with that tree reaching for the sky which it depends on. The flavour of a painting coming from this photograph..

A striking study in contrast and simplicity, this image celebrates the boldness of nature’s palette. The flawlessly deep blue sky stretches endlessly above a vibrant bowl of yellow oilseed, it almost feels like it is glowing.. Anchoring the horizon, the single distant tree offers quiet balance, connecting the earth to the sky. Very pretty.

A clever urban frame for blue hues—the juxtaposition of brutal synthetics and natural vibrance of the sky is beautifully captured in this expansive occulus. The sky is more than a backdrop, it defines the mood of the photograph and brings softness to the frame. .

The deep, uninterrupted blue overhead sets the tone—calm and vast. The clean white huts stand in quiet contrast, softened by wind-swept rolling sand. There’s a stillness here that captures summer’s emptier moments, with the bold blue sky anchoring the image in richness and clarity.

Entry 23072504
12th
23
Entry 23105392
56th
22
Entry 23109959
33rd
39
Entry 23221281
58th
65
Entry 23278208
15th
9
Entry 23305401
47th
11
Entry 23305497
25th
12
Entry 23720657
60th
52
Entry 23882121
48th
191
Entry 24122586
16th
8
Entry 24394607
8264th
6
Entry 24395271
1460th
18

This image is a dream in blue—tranquil, delicate, and deeply atmospheric. The fading light of sunset melts into a rich indigo blue sky, mirrored perfectly in the glassy water below. Silhouetted trees and ghostly swans add depth and some movement in the stillness. It's a suspended moment, where the sky isn't just a backdrop, but the soul of the entire scene.

Entry 24402055
1107th
45
Entry 24402056
1353rd
10
Entry 24404089
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Entry 24442777
5414th
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Entry 24450167
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10
Entry 24450893
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Entry 24452067
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540th
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Entry 24458183
647th
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144
Entry 24460584
5497th
5
Entry 24461309
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41
Entry 24469926
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Entry 24479453
1358th
17
Entry 24479932
4090th
15
Entry 24485419
5704th
9

A mesmerizing capture of lenticular clouds suspended in a pristine, polarized blue sky. The striking cloud formation adds a surreal, almost sculptural dimension to the scene. The vivid contrast between earth and sky, light and shadow, embodies the essence of meteorological drama beneath a beautiful azure canopy. A breathtaking moment, framed really well.

Entry 24486187
45th
18
Entry 24487627
1827th
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Entry 24489034
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Entry 24489591
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Entry 24490541
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Entry 24490952
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Entry 24493570
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Entry 24500000
2517th
17
Entry 24500369
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13
Entry 24500670
3260th
10
Entry 24500939
107th
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Entry 24501032
3246th
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Entry 24502681
7065th
6
Entry 24503389
1488th
24
Entry 24506667
764th
86
Entry 24510780
1497th
14
Entry 24510849
2952nd
4
Entry 24512410
128th
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Entry 24513441
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2
Entry 24514496
1483rd
6
Entry 24515578
1016th
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Entry 24515685
620th
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Entry 24515688
2633rd
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Entry 24515994
920th
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Entry 24515995
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Entry 24516973
1267th
5
Entry 24518337
272nd
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Entry 24518338
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Entry 24519326
4310th
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Entry 24520236
7817th
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Entry 24522716
4569th
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Entry 24527601
40th
27
Expert
winner
Entry 24543348
6370th
136

This sun-drenched beach scene, with its bold contrasts and clean lines, feels like a vivid echo of Hockney’s California in the 70s. The expansive blue sky dominates with bleached cinematic clarity, while the cyclists and palms add rhythm and nostalgia. A present day period drama with a retro feel. Full of lush sunlight, space, and spontaneity-brought to life by that unmistakable, mood-lifting blue. Great work!

9,577 Images entered

5,125 Photographers

235,405 Ratings

Entry 23019436
7th
126
Entry 23020676
4286th
92

This image is a striking embodiment of the brief, placing the expansive blue sky not just as a backdrop but as the defining character of the photo. The serenity of the scene is anchored by the seaplane (which I want to be on) resting on glass-like water. The boundary between sea and sky nearly dissolves. The gradient of blues—deepening from a pale, misty hue near the horizon to a rich, saturated dome overhead—creates luscious visual depth.

Entry 23025794
801st
186

I love the way this peaceful looking rooftop balcony blends in to the expansive blue sky. This photo melts between the natural azure and soft manmade colours seamlessly. The surrounding sky is intense and engulfs everything, creating a sense of openness and calm, embodied perhaps in the single bird standing at the bough. I'd like to be there.

This image delivers a serene, minimalist feel where the deep blue sky is undeniably the star. The mirror-like reflection doubles its visual impact, while the lone tree and fence line add interest without distraction. The sky’s richness, possibly enhanced by a polarising filter, creates a calm and striking composition that perfectly meets the brief’s emphasis on blue dominance.

Entry 23033081
9th
33

This image takes a minimalist, urban approach to the brief, with a bold blue sky offering melty contrast with the pastel wall below. The composition is clean, with geometric lines adding structure. The sky holds visual dominance here and totally makes the scene, binding the photograph together. Would work beautifully as a large scale print.

Entry 24344657
324th
79

A joyful explosion of colour and scale, this mural blends an ordinary wall into a surreal coastal fantasy, matching that real sky canvas. Towering ice creams and soaring gulls stretch into a flawless blue sky, mixing imagination with hyperrealism. The vivid azure backdrop amplifies the seaside whimsy, evoking summer nostalgia and childhood wonder. It’s playful, bold, and brilliantly sky-drenched—a clever entry!

Entry 24392636
3810th
22

This image beautifully captures the simple joy of a sunlit day. A vibrant kite dancing in a warm, deep blue sky—its colours bold and playful against the vast, uninterrupted backdrop. The string leads our eye downward, grounding the moment in human connection between the earth and the vastness. It’s an uplifting reminder of freedom and the lightness of just being.

Entry 24431043
592nd
2
Entry 24510709
2943rd
15
Entry 24514615
3854th
20

Captured with a photojournalistic eye, this image from the Mosquito Festival in Paisley, Oregon, distills the energy of a small-town night into silhouettes and motion. Set against a richly hued blue dusk, dancers swirl in the glow of headlights, dust rising from their feet. It’s raw, honest, and alive—where celebration meets atmosphere, and the sky holds the soul of the scene. A personal favourite from the competition.

Entry 24516461
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Entry 24522547
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Entry 24529065
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Entry 24530341
1010th
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Entry 24530342
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Entry 24530388
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Entry 24532235
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Entry 24533034
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Entry 24533035
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Entry 24533036
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Entry 24534244
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Entry 24535714
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Entry 24536128
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Entry 24539786
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Entry 24543349
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Entry 24546077
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Entry 24546233
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Entry 24555637
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Entry 24556911
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Entry 24557800
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Entry 24560612
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Entry 24565105
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Entry 24566865
1432nd
5

Meet the expert judge

Brief

See more contest details

For many, blue skies still rule when it comes to taking jaw-dropping photos with maximum impact. That rich blue, often boosted with the cunning use of a polarising filter, and the accompanying direct sunlight that can bring a scene to life in a burst of colour and contrast. We’re not just looking for blue skies in landscapes. They’re present in many genres of photography, but for this contest let’s make them a key feature of the scene, and not too incidental.

Entry 24551872
1673rd
11
Entry 24555749
2970th
22
Entry 24557750
2340th
23
Entry 24558498
386th
50
Entry 24567146
2449th
20
Entry 24568004
856th
10

A joyful celebration of colour and scale, this image captures the magic of the thought of flying up in to a deep blue sky. There’s a childlike wonder in looking up at these balloons — The vibrant hues pop brilliantly, made richer by the contrast of the deep blue gradients. It’s uplifting in every sense. Maybe clean the sensor though.

Entry 24569223
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Entry 24573795
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Entry 24575525
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Entry 24575526
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Entry 24575666
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Entry 24582900
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