Dark, moody landscapes

This image almost slipped through my judging process, but I am so glad it didn't. Luckily I review the entries a number of times, as this shot isn't immediately obvious as a top contender but jumps out as a top 10 when you get a good look at it.

I really love the care that has been taken to preserve the shadows from total silhouette. Make no mistake, this is a dark image, but it is a well balanced dark image. The floor is bright enough to have detail and tonal range, while the background provides some backlighting that doesn't leave the eye lost and dis-interested.

The visual path through the greens on the floor is impressive and (if planned) one of the most meticulous choices of camera location I've seen for a chaotic environment like this one. It all guides you firmly towards the back right of the photograph where mystery awaits.

I also really like the choice of a slightly narrower depth of field than your usual landscape / nature shot. A tight F/8 aperture here allows the background to slip out of focus more than it might at a more normal F/11 or higher, which adds to the mystery and overall creativity of the shot and doesn't even try and pull detail out of the misty background.

I also think just generally that the placement of the camera in relation to these trees is expertly done, and reflects a photographer with serious skill and presence of mind. Well done.

Among all the entries, this image stood out for me the most for a number of reasons. Firstly, this image hits the brief spot on. There is deep mood throughout the photograph, with a clearly left leaning histogram, but plenty of depth in the dark and medium tones (i.e. the image isn't just a dark shot, it has great contrast throughout the darks and midtones).

The subject is perfectly placed in a solid and well balanced centre composition. For me, the real interest is actually the fantastically detailed grass in the middle and front of the shot between the fork in the stream.

The editing applied to this is absolutely top drawer, and the care that has been taken to make sure the photograph is well exposed and that all parts are sharp etc is clear from first glance. I also like that the bright parts of the image appear bright but actually on a histogram still wouldn't get anywhere near blow out.

Finally, the colours in this shot are absolutely spot on, which is difficult to get right in a dark shot. It's easy to over saturate when there is darkness in the frame, but this is right on the line.

Epic photograph and a well deserved winner in my opinion.

If there was an award for the "best dark moody photograph using the strongest leading lines", then this would win hands down. This composition is a solid 10/10.

Just as you mention in your description, this image screams "harmony". The darks aren't too dark, the brights aren't blown out. The leading lines etched into the railings are just the right luminosity. The reflections on the rocks are gorgeous and have good colour. The choice of aperture keeps everything in the shot crisp and clear.

I could go on for a very long time about why I think this is such a good image technically, but the reason this made the top ten of THIS contest is that it conveys tremendous mood. The mood is (for me) somewhere between ominous, hopeful and peaceful. The fact that I can't choose between those feelings when looking at this makes it even more intriguing.

Such a fantastic shot. Well done.

This image is a tremendous example of top quality cityscape imagery.

I love the way the mood has been conveyed by using a deep but subtle vignette across the frame with gentle lightening in the centre. I like that certain distracting elements (like the boat on the right) have been vignetted out so as not to distract the viewer from the strong Z line through the shot that takes the eye from the bottom right corner to the centre composed structure in the distance.

The level of detail, sharpness and overall technical skill in the image is clearly evident. Also, the edit has been carried out with class. This is clearly the work of an accomplished photographer with a great eye for interesting compositions and an appreciation for how to use dark mood to bring out a subject.