Colours in nature

Being a close-up specialist, I couldn't resist this shot. I love simplicity - and the use of negative space is very effective in this shot. The background texture and colour really compliments the butterfly. A great use of colour. Also, great technique to achieve such pleasing differential focus.

For this competition, colour is the name of the game - and this shot could hardly be more vibrant. I love the use of just one frame-filling colour and the intricate feather detail the photographer has captured. The feathers appear so sharp and lifelike that you feel like your could almost each out and touch them.

I know many won't agree with my choice of winner, but this photo is a real slow burner - the longer you look at this photo, the more pleasing it is. I love the flow of the wave and sense of motion the photographer has captured. The shutter speed is spot on and the square aspect ratio works wonderfully well. The cool blue hue makes this is a very calming and tranquil shot. Well done.

This is one of those images that smacks you right between the eyes. This shot oozes with colour impact. The lavender creates compelling lead-in lines and the barn is beautifully placed. No background information was supplied with the image, but this shot seems too perfect to be just one shot? But if it is a composite, it has been expertly created.

I really like this composition. It is a fantastic viewpoint, with the shapes and lines in the snow leading the eye towards the background hills and creating lovely foreground texture and depth. I might trim a slither of sky off the top, but otherwise this is a lovely shot. However, for me it doesn't really suit this particularly competition theme. I rejected countless great images (just like this one) purely because I didn't feel colour was a key ingredient.