The city at night

This second place winner proves it's not always about what you photograph, but what you leave out! Cities after dark are bursting with light, and this colourful shot really catches the eye. The photographer has been clever with composition - by focusing on the reflection rather than the person, they play with our sense of balance and add intrigue. A high ISO boosts the shutter speed without flash or a tripod, though it doesn’t matter that the bold reflection is less than pin-sharp.

Well done to James, who has captured the familiar sight of Westminster Palace in a less familiar way. This well-known London landmark is a popular subject for night photography, but James' painterly take on the scene really made it stand out. By underexposing and making use of the heavy clouds hanging over the scene, the overall feel is moody and dramatic. He’s also used a long exposure to blur the movement of the river, adding to the subtle aesthetic.

This mysterious image is a worthy first-place winner, and the brief was interpreted in a really original way. A one-second exposure and tripod blurs the person in the doorway, and as a viewer, we're left wondering who the ghostly figure is and where they're going. The black and white conversion strips back the image for a haunting final result, and avoids garish colours that might have come from the underground sign. The timing and tone is spot on – well done!