Drab and Dreary

I have no doubt that on the inside, Shiv stores is likely bright and cheery, selling a range of products to serve the local customers. However, the exterior of the closed shop, with the shutters down, certainly conveys a feeling of the dull and dismal. Despite the dreary subject, there is great clarity and contrast to the image, and some fantastic black and white work, which really makes the image stand out. It goes to show that the most mundane of scenes, whilst maybe not appealing to all, can still make for a great image. Well done on your top ten placing.

There are few places as consistently soulless as a waiting room; whatever we are being required to wait for, there is usually a distinct lack of cheer within that room. Here we see a typical example, characterless and certainly rather drab. One glimmer of hope is the wall of windows affording a view to the outside, but today the view lacks promise, being as dreary on the outside as the inside. The way the scene has been captured really conveys this mood. Conversion to black and white also helps in the portrayal, as does the uncomplicated viewpoint and symmetry. Congratulations on your second place finish.

This image was a late entry to my top ten, but one I kept coming back to. I especially love the composition, with the curving line formed by the reeds/grasses protruding from the surface of the water, leading the eye through the image. The scene is perfect for this contest, and can only be described as drab and dreary, no doubt also rather damp and chilly to be out with your camera. Your willingness to take your csmera out in all conditions however has paid off, as you have been rewarded with a great image that captures the real essence of the day. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

Something about a bandstand on a damp and foggy day strikes as particularly dreary, maybe as it stands in such stark contrast to a bright sunny day, with folk happily seated around as the bands play some rousing music. Harking back to times gone by, this elaborate structure stands in a damp and foggy park. The image works well in black and white as it helps accentuate the dullness of the day. Composition is good in that we are close enough in to get a good view of the structure, but far enough out to get a sense of the surroundings too. Congratulations on your third place finish.

I never like to describe any animal as boring, but a field full of grazing sheep on a day of dismal weather is about as dull as it comes! The composition and framing only serve to accentuate the dull, by being cropped to square with the added border, and an expanse of misty grey extending above the field of sheep. Superb! Congratulations on your winning image.