Canals and Their Infrastructure

There is a great feeling of the power of the canal water rushing over the lock gates. I can hear the noise it's making! The two central figures, who are well placed just off centre, add a real sense of perspective. Unfortunately you don't give any technical details but the shutter speeed is spot on to show movement in the water yet still retaining interesting detail and colour in the water. Great shot!

A lovely tranquil scene. The sheep grazing in the field suggest a slow pace of life which is what canals are all about. The sun rising has illumimated the bank of cloud which is reflected in the canal. The shutter speed is just right to show movement in the water whilst still retaining some important detail. I think I would have included a little more to the left of the picture to inlude all the left hand beam and bring in more of the tow path. I can hear the silence! Well done.

What a magnificent shot of this iconic location which is one of the Canal & River Trust's 'Seven Wonders of the Waterways'. I think canals lend themselves to presentation in B&W and you have taken this a step further by using infrared. The viewpoint is perfect, looking down the rise of the five locks with parts of the town of Bingley showing above the trees.. Stunning!

The inclusion of Hercules really lifts this shot. It's good to see! The horse and handler are well placed in the frame. with the tow rope nicely leading from horse to boat.. The green of the boat works in harmony with the greens of nature and the T shirt of the man with the horse.

I really enjoy the muted colour palette here. The cold grey/blue tones of most of the image contrat well with the warm yellow tones where the sunlight strikes the lock side. The descending diagonal of the railing on the right is echoed by the shadow diagonal on the left. The covered boat is well placed in the picture space and adds that extra element to the image. Well seen and executed!

I do like the many compositional lines in this shot. The barrier leads us from the bottom left hand corner, hits the towpath then leads us through the tunnel to what looks like the 'light at the end of the tunnel' The walls left and right lead us in the same direction and the diagonal girder structure adds a sense of dynamism. I have one very, very minor crit and that is the bottom left hand corner is just a tad unsharp. Everywhere else is pin sharp and you have done well to achieve that hand held. The canals in and around Birmingham are on my 'to do' list sometime this year. Congratulations!

The peace and tranquility captured here sums up for me what canal life these days is all about. The sun's rays breaking through the trees and burning off the early morning mist allowing the lock to emerge. The red 'Danger Weir!' warning sign is well placed in the picture space and is in contrast to the muted browns and greens. And the canal is full of imterest with those wonderful reflections. Oh to be there!

I find this is a truly magical image. There was a similar shot in colour in the competition but I feel this B&W image emphasises the magnificence and grandeur of this canal structure. Unfortunately the author has not given any information on the location but I believe it to be taken where the Forth & Clyde canal connects to the Union canal at the Falkirk Wheel. The timing of the shot was ideal for keeping some detail in the sky which echoes the lighting under the arches and the reflection in the canal. Excellent!

This image has a lovely 'painterly' feel to it and I'm sure that was your intention. This gives the image that 'olde worldie' feel which is very appropriate for a canal scene. With that in mind I think I would have removed the red bin and also maybe the nearby blue sign. The bridge runs slightly uphill left to right. It may well actually do that but I would be tempted to straighten that up. Your title is just right for the image.