Country life

There has been a lot of debate about the use of drones, but with shots like this it's hard to argue that they can create some incredible artwork in the right hands. This is a quintessential depiction of country life from a unique perspective. The lines within the landscape act a natural lead to the obvious focal point of the image, the tractor itself. The variation in colour on either side compliment the browns of the field , adding some visual interest. This is an accomplished image, deserving of high praise.

Horses and all things equine are synonymous with country living. Yet, often we see them in a domesticated sense, existing alongside humans. This image demonstrates the opposite, showing the wild side of the animal, running free amongst the landscape behind. There is a stern calmness in the creature's eye, and the tones are suited to the drama of black and white. This is a well composed image that perfectly encapsulates its subject.

In terms of traditional idea of composition, upon first glance there are many things about this image that shouldn't work, most obviously the position of the sheep in relation to the sky. However, upon second viewing, it is clear that this disregarding of the traditional 'rules' really works well. The use of natural light draws the eye into the sheep on the foreground (those stalwart features of country life), and then the landscape behind is revealed in all it's splendour. The light is beautifully utilised to bring out the best in the scene, with the big sky above. It would be interesting to see how it would look cropped in a little tighter, but overall this is marvellous piece of work.

When looking for an image that screams country living, I don't think you can get any closer than this. It takes all the most obvious elements (lambs, hay bales) and combines them with a compelling human subject against the backdrop of a setting sun. Although many images like this can fall into the trap of feeling somewhat contrived, there is a serenity in this that shines through. This is an image of which to be proud.

This is a compelling image that tells a story in motion. The movement of the subject starts in the umbrella and travels to the feet. This is a masterclass in capturing the moment, and providing an insight into rural life in a different culture. The sun streaming through the trees adds an incredible sense of atmosphere and the winding road demonstrates a deft understanding of composition and how to get the most from a scene. The monochrome conversion adds to the overall impact of the image, one that would have pride of place in anyone's portfolio.

Some images just immediately tell a story and ask more questions than they answer. This is certainly one of those images. The composition is spot on, highlighting not only the subject matter of the men, the horse and their 'kill', but also the epic landscape stretching off into the distance. The clothing of the individuals provides a timeless feel, a small snapshot into country life in years gone by. The more I look at the image, the more I wonder how far they've travelled, where they're going and how many people have trod the same path over the centuries.

This image works in its simplicity, cropping the frame tight to bring out only what is needed to be seen. The crops, yellow in colour, fill most of the frame, and they curve from one edge of the picture to the other, dissecting the field. The figure of the woman harvesting the crop adds that element of life to the image and the smallest hint of red in the bottom left hand corner also adds a small hint of intrigue. It would have been better if the whole image had been filled with the crop, but the photographer does a great job of getting the best out of the scene.

There are some images that just embody all that is beautiful and elegant about the British countryside, and this is an example of that. Overcast, grim, and yet still so quintessentially dramatic, with fellsides caught under cacophonies of cloud. The vague hint of a path curves and leads the eye into the small cottage, demsontrating that this is someone's home, isolated from the business of life away from the countryside, dwarfed by the surrounding scenery. The treatment here is fantastic and adds to the atmospheric feel of this wonderfully composed shot.

When thinking about country living, fishing is always a pastime that jumps to mind. Its slow pace, and intrinsic link with the countryside align it as the perfect sport for those who like to experience the outdoors. This image makes the best use of the conditions available, with the low sun casting warm light across the ethereal mist, shrouding the silhouettes of the fisherman. These are tough conditions to shoot in and they are handled with skill.

Everything about this image screams country life in the most obvious sense. The white eggs in the metal, worn pan against the checked tablecloth. The image makes you wonder why there are so many eggs in one pan, and feels a little too contrived. However, I'd be interested in seeing what the surrounding room looks like and if the theme continued. I like the vertical crop, and the diagonal lines of the tablecloth add to the composition.

This is one of those images that you have to look at twice or else you might be guilty of missing the sheep amongst the foliage. The sheep almost blends into the grasses as the tones of the two are quite similar. Sheep are difficult creatures to capture, especially when the light is somewhat flat, and i'd be interested to see how a tighter crop might work, isolating the subject a little more.

This tree is incredible, and placing it in juxtaposition to the two riders to the left works well to give a sense of scale. The light is somewhat foggy and overcast, which flattens the subject matter, and I would be intrigued to see what this looked like when the light is low in the sky. This image might also benefit from a higher crop to enhance the relationship between the riders and the tree.

This is my quintessential understanding of what the countryside looks like on a bright, sunny summer day. When the sun is high in the sky it creates a bold and harsh light that brings out yellows and greens, as well as the blue hues of the sky. I can almost imagine walking up passed the tree with the sound of life buzzing around me. The colours are all a little too saturation and appear somewhat unreal, although that may have been your intention. I'd be intrigued to see what the image would look like if those yellows and blues were less intense. Overall, a well composed image that demonstrates a clear mood.

I'm genuinely intrigued by the image as I'm not sure what is occurring other than farming of some description, There are many layers to the composition, marching backwards towards the evening sky. The subject is hard at work and appears not to notice that his moves are being captured. It would be interesting to see how the image would look with a little less contrast and saturation (especially those blue tones). Overall, an intriguing shot that tells a story.