Construction sites

Sometimes this kind of technique works, more often than not it doesn't. Here it's used to very good effect. It's a technique I've used before, using a long exposure and the zooming in or out at the same time. It's quite liberating and exciting because you never know what it's going to look like. This shot works – I think because it's interesting and for its strong central composition. And the mix of fiery bright vibrant orange with the greyness of concrete. The asymmetry and mess of the orange light trails work well with the tidy column.

This picture stood out, I think partly because it was different, and because it's quite a humorous and interesting shot. The isolated colour of the yellow hats and their reflections, make the composition work. The viewpoint is such that you get a real sense of height and the scale of the place. I'd love to visit to shoot it, it looks amazing.

I've given the shot a commendation, not because it's a visual stunner, but because it's a great moment in time.

As a thumbnail, this shot looked like all the other wide shots of tall clusters of tower block type buildings. In that context, I liked it. The black and white treatment is nice and very dynamic. When I enlarged the shot I saw it was concrete pillars, piles for a new building. And I liked it even more ! It's a nice visual trick – made to look like tower blocks, but actually the scale is a few meters. I think it's a long exposure to make the clouds blur, which makes the columns stand out even more. Nice shot, well done!

This is a great view, with a juxtaposition of subject matter that works really well – it tells a story. The people give it a sense of scale and the moment in time. The tight composition helps the visual, making sure the viewer concentrates on the two parts to the picture. It's got a story, a narrative, which always helps to make a photo powerful and meaningful. We see so many shots of the Dubai skyline, this is a different viewpoint and it's more telling than a standard view. I think this shot could still be meaningful in 100 years time because it tells the story of the construction boom in that part of the world – how extensive and fast and high. Nicely seen.

I like this a lot. It's got so much to it and the bloke – hands behind his back with a spirit level – is perfectly placed with a good stance and expression. Using the gates as a frame works really well, it says 'building site'. And it draws the eye into the scene. Almost like a stage. The posters add some interest. A nicely seen and composed shot, and a good example of why seizing the right moment and frame is key.

There weren't enough of these kind of photos for me. It's hard in a competition where adversting and editorial style photos are judged alongside each other. The sunset skyline is always going to stand out. But this shot is nice, and full of detail in both quality and content.

I shoot a lot of editorial. It's important, for history, to record the reality of the world and not the glamour. So thank you for this view into a stone carver's world; how he works, some of his tools, the plans pinned up, his mugs and brick collection – it's lovely.

I've always been a big fan of silhouettes. It's a visually strong aid to composition. If you're going to shoot people as silhouettes, you have to get it right – time it right and seize the right moment so that the human shape is a recognisable and interesting form. This shot achieves that, the men are sharp, nicely spaced and doing interesting things. I don't know whether you waited for them to form a nice image, or whether you got lucky – whichever way, it doesn't matter if you got the shot, which you did. But it's a good example of getting it right. Sometimes the opportunity appears in front of you and sometimes you have to wait a long time for it all to click into place.

For capturing a moment in time, this photo is great! It's full of drama and fun – although having said that maybe a split second later you'd have captured them getting hurt. I certainly hope not and it looks like they're far enough away. The smile on the guy in the green cap makes it fun, plus the mad, dangerous but hilarious way of pulling a wall down! I'd love to see the next frame... or, did the steel bars bounce and you had to run?!

I like this shot – it's a powerful black and white image. The way the sunlight is catching the cables on the bridge creating a great contrast makes the composition interesting and dramatic. It didn't get an award because I think these are cranes at a port or a large crane depot. You haven't given any info about where and what this is. Sorry to be harsh – it's a really nice shot, but it doesn't fit the brief. Enter it into a different competition!

This shot is nice and stood out for me. There were a lot of shots of views like this, from high up. They're always interesting because they're full of content and shapes, and are views we're not used to seeing. And it's a human condition to be wow'd by big impressive views. I like this because the distant view of the hills is lovely, the city or town itself is pretty and interesting, the foreground building site is great.

Compositionally, it's good but could be better. Sorry – you may have only had a split second, but better positioning and actions of the workers would make a good picture great. You may have to wait one second, or five minutes or longer if you have the time and opportunity.

There were a lot of photos of construction sites from buildings surrounding the site. They're all nice shots becuase they're full of interest, shape, pattern and for people interested in constuction they're even more interesting and beautiful. I've singled this one out for review because the first thing I thought was 'it's empty, except for one van and three workers, it's either lunchtime or a Sunday'.

I think it would be more interesting with the construction workers in the shot, as it would add scale and more interest. It's a grey day, so you're up against it with light – this site would sing given the right light. So get up there and do it again at a different time! If you were shooting for the construction company or any subcontractors or suppliers the health and safety must be spot on. There may be someone working where they shouldn't, not have a hat or gloves on, or any number of other construction issues.

This one caught my eye because it's an interesting way of looking at what would ordinarily be a dull scene. There's not much construction going on but enough to fulfil the brief. The isolated colour or the road sign and the sky bring it to life, and including a passer by adds more interest. The light is nice, the sun at an angle which adds texture and depth to the building. Compositionally, there are different layers to this shot: the crumbling wall, the view through the gap in the wall, and the 'looking in' element.

Visually this photo is really strong. The composition is nice. For me, what lets it down is the odd sky colour and exposure – maybe you over exposed on purpose for effect? You haven't left any comments about the shot. I think if you're going to over expose, do it on a grand scale and get all the highlights, and maybe midtones too, to blow out. The composition and viewpoint and symmetry is very strong. It would also be really nice to see the baskets of the cherry pickers and the workers in them, or perhaps you just didn't get the opportunity.

This was one of the best high level shots, and one of the best of London – and there were lots of both. It's a dynamic, crisp, symmetrical but also asymmetrical, dramatic, clean image. And a good example of when great light, great sky, great viewpoint, careful composition, technical ability all click into place.

It's helped by the fact the building site is an interesting shape, I'm sure the construction company will love this, and the crane company as well! I'd also like to see it in colour – I'm sure it works in both.

There were a lot of shots of Sagrada Familia entered. I suppose it is one of the most glamorous building sites in the world.

I've singled this one out because it's striking and nicely composed. As with all architectural and construction photography, light is paramount. I presume you just hit lucky with the weather, sun direction (the shadows of the other towers are nice), haze factor (seeing the city and hills in the distance). If I was to be picky, I'd line it all up a tiny bit more in Photoshop for a true 90 degree tower and skyline composition.