This is a nice idea, but it feels a little too contrived and could have been better executed. The heart-shaped shadows created by the rings are pretty effective, but the whole image feels too dark. Selecting a relatively wide aperture (f/4.5) has thrown the back ring out of focus, which hasn’t worked so well, but with a little time spent on the basics it could be a great earner with stock libraries etc.
There is a wonderful serenity to this shot, created by the simple components and muted colours. The water is incredibly smooth, thanks to a thirty second exposure, and this juxtaposes well with the rough texture of the quayside. The angle of the steps and stonework is unusual, which adds to its appeal.
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We are often told to avoid dividing the frame in half, but the balance of this picture is spot on. The swirling blue sea contrasts brilliantly with the smooth red deck, and the shadow of the painter stops the right-hand side from dominating the left. It would have been nice to see the top of the painter’s head, but the slice of yellow at the top corner suggests this was impossible.
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This aerial shot of cyclists crossing a bridge over the Ping River in Thailand is striking due to the unique viewpoint and the care the photographer has taken to apply the rule of thirds. The band of blue running across the bridge mirrors the colour of the water on either side, while the brown lines help to divide the frame up.
This picture has the dark tonality of a Turner painting, and it’s the kind of shot you could hang on your wall and stare at for hours. It’s tricky to get a pleasing picture out of a visually chaotic scene, but the white spume running from top left to bottom right helps to lead the eye across the frame.
Panning your camera horizontally or vertically to achieve an abstract effect is a popular technique amongst landscape photographers. It works particularly well when panning vertically to capture a group of trees and we've seen many great examples in this round. However, this one stood out to the judges. Devoid of colour, except the pop of warmth from the trunks, it has a monochromatic feel. But perhaps more eye-catching is the additional movement and shapes created from the falling snow, giving the image a three dimensional feel.
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Brief
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**Abstract photography** involves exploring the world through details. That doesn’t mean just getting in close with a macro lens, though. It means shooting a subject in such a way that it is separated from usual representations of that object. It can mean shooting and framing your images so the primary concern is squarely on the strange patterns, shapes and textures that make up the world around us. Finding abstract images means treating the world around you in a very different way. Every little nook and cranny holds potential: the moss growing on a garden wall; the rust of your car door; the melting ice found in your freezer. You can be as experimental as you like, even down to using in-camera techniques such as slow shutter speeds. Abstracts can be found everywhere, and in everything, from the street where you live to the darkest forest. We’re putting no restrictions on your subject. This is your chance to be truly adventurous.
The almost overpowering use of red in this picture seems to imply great heat, which suits the subject matter, chilli peppers, perfectly. The lines created by the workers are important because they provide visual breaks allowing us to rest a little as we explore the picture. The triangle created by the three women is also very pleasing.
