Circles

I am not quite sure what it is that captivates me about this shot – I found it quite mesmerizing from the first time I saw it. There is a crudeness to it which possibly adds to its appeal. I like the granular surface and eeriness of the circle lulling you into it. There is a contradiction, with the harshness of the surface and a hint of escapism suggested through the brightness emanating. There is what could be vegetation, but the silhouette of the person suggests it might not be an idyll and the image takes on a more sinister form. There is a slight jarring with the presence of the rectangular block within the circular emanation which would have been better removed to maximise the ambiguity.

I totally understand why this is a Photocrowd pleaser. This image provides an imaginative approach to the theme of 'Circles'. I love the way the eye is drawn into the circles, you can feel yourself being pulled in. I also like the teeth-like pieces of rock, almost jaw-like, which adds an uneasy element to the frame. It reminds me of the set of some sci-fi film mixed in with Hitchcockian perspective. Finally the use of black and white with nice mid-tones adds to the drama of the image and gives something of a psychological nature to the setting.

Many strong close-up shots of flowers were submitted for the theme so it was a hard choice. What appealed to me about this dandelion seed head was how the photographer has revealed its intricate structure. I like the way the parts that make the whole radiate outward from the dark core. I also really the monochromatic feel in contrast to nature being always bursting with colour. It's delicate, and the progressive softness towards the edges make it seem so soft and tactile.

This stunning image really fulfills the concept of circles and spheres for me and I love the angle and perspective. The idea of utilizing geometric shapes from nature in architecture and design is expertly revealed here. The image has a really pleasing balance of composition and like the winning image really draws the eye into the core of the image. The vertiginous perspective draws you in to the infinity of tiny lights below. Another great plus is that the image invites the viewer to feel almost a queasy sense of vertigo and makes you feel as if you are there.

I liked the exuberance of this shot, showing the cause and effect occurring in the image. The moment in time is captured efficiently so you have the full circular cascade of water through which the surfer appears to be emerging.

I liked the subject matter of this more unusual nature shot, showing progeny of a creature being encased in a circular protective layer. With all the nature programs and visuals around one is constantly amazed at the intricacies of nature at work. This almost feels like an offering to the viewer, though no doubt not the intention of the proud parent whose beady eyes say "keep away!" I love the use of softness here – the gossamer thread on the eggs which echoes the softness of the spider's receding body.

I thought this was a very intriguing interpretation of 'Circles' and using a less obvious subject of portraiture to illustrate the concept. I like the way the circles reveal themselves in a subdued way – the buttons, the ringlets, the children's slinkies with the piece de resistance being their enormous wide eyes. The quietness of it all is enhanced by the use of the black and white. The expressions and body language of the children really add to the caught moment, showing their lack of interest in their toys. Many photos of children show boisterous playfulness so this offers a distinct contrast and imbues the image with narrative. A slight pity though that the slinky to left of the frame was not touched up more effectively to balance the continuity of its sister.

I thought this was a clever idea of revealing your home interior through a circular perspective. The actual object to provide this view is a piece of ornateness in itself, a nod to the craftsmanship of old and constructed of circles and curves. I thought the warm colours worked well to reveal the style and age of the house, in addition to the taste of the owner. Technically it could be improved and I'd like to have more clarity to the object's rotund outline as well as removing some of the more distracting elements in the reflection.

I love this shot! Its gentle and whimsical humour makes it a very engaging image to view. The contrast between the manly denim material with the soft fluffiness of the tutu is delightful. Cowboys are normally very rugged and with manly expressions doing manly things so I love the way this cheekily subverts this genre. He's smoking a cigar but wearing a tutu and the body language holds it all together brilliantly. The black and white works very well here too.

This image was very close to being a Top 10 selection. The richness of the red is quite lovely in this image. What I love as well is that though this particular fleur is looking dormant, it is possibly close to unfurling itself with a promise to be exquisite. The petals seem so perfect, the colour so gorgeous. What can be compelling in an image is when it hints at what its subject might become.

I really like the art, or maybe more apt the science of fluorescence microscopy because it invites you to see the unfamiliar aspects of objects that are not possible in conventional photography. One of my favourite books to dip into is Ernst Haeckel's Art Forms in Nature and this image reminds me of the visual that is not commonplace and that makes you in awe of the intricacies of nature. This image fulfills the brief so well in terms of providing circular shapes but also an aesthetic visual which transcends its scientific purpose. I also like the solitary pollen that has escaped from its confines and is on the loose to create havoc no doubt to allergy sufferers.

I was really impressed by the visual impact of this image – an extreme graphic of circles and lines that pop out magnificently through the use of black and white. Very simple but very effective interpretation of contemporary architecture in progress. The variations in the size of the circles gives it an almost hypnotic quality. My suggestion would have been to fill in the lines and tidy up any extraneous lines. My understanding is that this image is part of a project so maybe these “flaws” were integral to the project but for a single image it does take away some of the graphic perfection.

I really like the way the light and mist conspire in this image to model this magical landscape. This is a picture of growth and thriving vegetation nurtured by the sun, and you can sense the warmth emanating. The photographer describes it as a celestial glow which describes it well and I prefer it to the often shot but sometimes no less dramatic 'fingers of god' light.

This was a very close contender for the Top 10 selections. The ratio (circular terminology here!) of circular shapes to people creates this whimsical mis en scene. Tourists visiting to a new place are an interesting subject to describe photographically. The photographer himself titled the image 'wandering around'. His composition has certainly suggested there is a lot of wandering going on, emphasised by the body language of participants in the scene and the scale in relation to each other. There is graphically a lovely visual going on and I like the reflections which help set off the blandness of the environment. Overall a curious and well observed image.