Boundaries

A superb winter landscape that is so wonderfully stark that it had me wondering if it is a fusion of B&W and colour post -processing. Nevertheless, it's the rainbow and subtle warmer tone in the brooding sky that is the x-factor that, for me, elevates this vista several notches.

If the old adage is that photography is all about the light, then how about this crackerjack to make the point? The fall of light here is so accomplished that it looks like it was lit in a studio. I like how the spot lighting on the sheep, rock ledge and parts of the landscape beyond works to enhance the perception of depth. Not baaaad!

This is a hauntingly evocative image. You can sense the sad emotions being felt by such an intelligent creature. The foreground foliage adds a degree of voyeurism and isolation. Given its documentary quality, I wonder if this image would have even more impact in black and white?

I rather like this image for the offbeat idea alone. Perhaps the thinking behind it was what else can you do with an overcast, grey day at the beach? Lets' experiment. One of the paths to more creative images is to look for alternative compositions, viewpoints, or perspectives such as this example..

Although essentially a simple shot of people waiting at a bus stop, there's a number of small things going on that make it strangely appealing. For a start, it's a clever interpretation of the boundaries theme, revealing human instinct for wanting personal space. Small details like the snow contrasting with the dash of bright colour on the fence lifts an otherwise muted scene, making for a well observed image.

What a wonderfully eerie image. The soft light and pastel hues are so evocative they remind me of a pre-Raphelite painting. The low viewpoint, looking through a locked gateway, up toward the ruined doorway, adds a sense of intrigue. Very nicely done.!

The high viewpoint here shows off the random arrangement of the dry stone walls to great effect, probably better than any other perspective. I also like the way the low raking light adds depth to the image, revealing detail and texture in the fields. The strong colour saturation also adds to the overall impact.

This is a delightfully subdued landscape that works so well technically and emotionally. The composition is superb, with the wall leading the eye into the frame, naturally balanced by the trees on either side. The soft lighting adds an element of tranquillity of the scene. It just exudes peace and calm.

This is another great take on the boundaries theme. It's technically brilliant too, nicely balancing the darker interior with the bright exterior. The B&W, near infra-red, look suits the subject very well. And just to round things off, the two girls provide a pleasing focal point in contrast to the multitude of architectural lines.

This is a great choice of subject for a black and white image. I like the balance of retention in detail of the dry stone walls, building and snow without it becoming overly graphic. It's also well composed, with the walls doing a good job in leading the eye around the picture.

I love this shot for its spooky vibe and technical finesse. It's the backlit spider web that grabs the attention but I'm also appreciating the timing to frame the person walking out of shot in the background. It's an extra element that can make the difference between a good shot and a better one.

One of many splendid landscape entries, this one particularly caught my eye for its effective simplicity. The boundary theme is front and centre, nicely working as a leading line toward the gate. The signpost then leads the eye off into the rest of the scene. Bleak can also be beautiful!

If the aim of photography is to. produce an appealing image with impact, then this minimalist example does it for me. I love the way the high-key exposure has washed out everything but the sign. It's both intriguing and, given the subject, rather amusing. Great idea too!

This is a wonderful telling of where a boundary is not a barrier to something positive. It's not only a heartwarming scene, but it's also technically pleasing too. The fence works as a leading line to the faces which sit nicely on a third. The muted colour saturation also adds to the moment.

This is about as good as an environmental portrait gets. A natural pose that reveals enough to know what's going on but also leaves you intrigued. I love the subtle band of light across the centre of the frame. Not only does it serve to illuminate the subject, it also creates a vignette effect that holds your gaze there.