Chimneys

This striking, minimalist image captures chimneys with unprecedented drama and elegance. The shapes, enhanced by the black and white grading, are neat and well positioned within the frame. The light, catching the roofs' and chimneys' silhouettes, makes them stand out clearly and beautifully against the stormy sky beyond, at the same time allowing the viewer to make out some of the details and texture on them. Choosing the perfect exposure meant the photographer was able to avoid a blown-out sky, and instead captured details and shades in it that add much interest and depth to the photograph. This image perfectly meets the contest brief with style and elegance.

The first thing I love about this image is how the chimney, in spite of only appearing in shadow form, is still very much the subject of the shot, the element the viewer's eye travels to. Minimalism works only if all the few elements the shot is made of are meticulously thought out, and that's exactly what we see in this image. The composition is clean and pleasing, the defined roof shadow cutting diagonally across the frame, and the window and the chimney shadow both a third into the frame from either side. The shadows are dark and defined enough so the chimney is clearly identifiable, but not so dark to appear distracting or conceal detail in the window curtains or the wall texture. This is a different and extremely well-executed take on a chimney photo, one of a kind in this competition.

Some beautiful elements come together in this calming and romantic capture. The shadows and dark surroundings create a sense of intimacy and, together with the back light, gift the smoke visibility. In turn, the smoke draws much needed attention to the otherwise camouflaged boat chimney. The golden light, casting a dreamy haze in the top right corner of the frame, creates interesting reflections into the water, giving the photo the right amount of highlights to balance out the shadows. This peaceful image captures chimneys from an original perspective and certainly deserves praise for it.