Doorsteps

I like this image for its simplicity and naturalness. It is well composed and framed, with just enough space around the subjects for a balanced shot. The pots of flowering plants on the doorsteps ensure the steps remain the focal point. Everything is in clear focus, and there has been no over-editing, which has kept the colours and the overall feel of the image very natural. A calm, gentle scene, well captured. Well done on your top ten placing.

A lovely architectural image, immediately attracting attention as a result of the capture of the gorgeous earthy reds and oranges, contrasting with the rich blue colour. Whilst the door is an initial focal point on which the eye settles, the shape of the steps, across the lower part of the image is very obvious, aided by the angle of view, which shows a little of the blue tread of the steps, which makes them stand out against the wall. I like the direct head-on viewpoint for the composition, with everything as upright and level as in reality. A shot full of interesting textural details, congratulations on your winning image.

This is a well composed image, very pleasing on the eye, and the door being half open seems to be inviting us in. The steps are a key focus of the image, and the hydrangea, whilst large, does not dominate the rest of the scene as the saturation of the pink colours is not over-done. Lovely image of a welcoming entrance, well done on your top ten placing.

This was an image I kept coming back to, and decided in the end it should be placed. Perfect choice of subject for this "doorsteps" contest, as we see just the doorsteps and the subject upon them. The image has been well exposed in what looks to be a shady spot, and you have managed to capture the surface of the steps in a way which indicates the cooling effect it may have on this dog, having a siesta away from the hot midday sun. I am sure the dog is placed as you found it, but it is wonderfully positioned with its head lollong down onto the step below. A well seen and well captured image, well done on your top ten placing.

I am not usually a great fan of the selective colour editing technique, as I generally find it rather contrived and clichéd. Here however I think it has worked well, possibly because the saturation and tone of the yellow is not too harsh. I still think I would have preferred to have seen the composition in all its true colours or in black and white, but it is still a quality image. There were a number of entries of people on doorsteps in this contest, and the people tended to dominate and become the focal point. Here however, the woman is small enough in the frame to not dominate the shot, and there is a good balance between the figure and the architecture. I really like the head-on point of view and the central composition of the main elements. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

The vivid blue paint is a strong draw to this image, with a few little pops of terracotta on the lower steps to add a bit of contrast. Light and shadow has been used effectively in this virtually monochrome shot, to enable the shapes and features to be obvious. There was a virtually identical image entered in the contest which I presume was submitted by the same photographer as the shooting data is also identical, but of the two shots I like whe richer colours here, and the angle of view gives this image a greater dynamic. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

A little unusual to see a shot of Venice without any water, but this is a great image. The steps are an immediate focal point due to their central composition and light colour, and the sides of the steps lead the eye up to the building they approach. I really like the variation in the colours you have captured, avoiding any temptation to over-saturate them. A detailled architectural image, with plenty to hold the interest and for the eye to explore. Congratulations on your second place finish.

This is a very strong black and white image, with a great range of tones and contrasts to show off the shapes and lines of the steps and building. Everything looks well focused and there is good detail across the entire image. I have not seen a colour version of this image, but I imagine it is a stronger shot through being in black and white. I may have been tempted to loose the white digital frame as I do not think it adds anything, but it has been kept just slim enough not to become the focal feature of the image in itself. Congratulations on your third place finish..

A simple but well executed image, a perfect subject choice for this contest. Exposure of the shot is good, as there is good lighting and detail in the dark-coloured areas which cover most of the image, but the bright white of the flowers has not become over-exposed and blown out. Well composed, for me everything is framed just right, leaving neither too much or too little space around the subject. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

This is a great example of the type of image I was looking for in this contest, which has the focus at ground and doorstep level, and not focusing instead on the actual door. The pretty flowers have been well captured in clear focus. Framing of the shot works well, as we can see just a little of the door to show us where the steps are leading. The inclusion of the wellington boot pot adds a little fun to the image too. A charming scene, well captured. Well done on your top ten placing.

This was a stand-out image for me in this contest, with beautiful lighting and a lovely blend of colours. The viewpoint is a little different, but there is plenty of interest at this low height to capture the interest. However, the contest brief requested that a door step, or steps, be clearly visible, and in this shot there is nothing to indicate that this is a step rather than a level entrance with no step. A super image, but unfortunately cannot be awarded in this "Doorsteps" contest as there is no obvious doorstep.

This is a striking image of blue and white, well exposed to show details in the white parts of the scene. I really like the image, however I have not awarded the image as a watermark signature has been placed right across the main subject for this contest, which for me ruins the image, as it draws the attention and becomes the focal point for the image. I personally feel watermarks are unnecessary on contest entries, but if felt to be necessary, I would suggest a far smaller mark, positioned away from the subject and in a colour which does not in any way draw the eye. A shame, as it is a great image, but the essential feel of simplicity and minimalism has been interrupted by the added digital signature.