Perfect simplicity. Dunes are the ideal subject for black and white photography with big curving shapes and broad highlights and shadow areas. The thing I like most about this photo is the way you can zoom in and out and the image stays basically the same. The curve of the crest remains while the space between the glider and camel rider expands and contracts.

Wow, I don’t think I’ve seen a leaf frozen like this before! Great attention to detail and use of macro photography; I appreciate that I can see all of the cracks and bubbles in the ice, in addition to the veins of the leaf. The use of color and contrast here is also great. Well done!

This theatrical portrait could be a scene out of a musical. It's perfectly constructed and timed. The crop and framing work so well and the low camera angle takes our eye straight to the light source that the model is stretching out to. The muted colors of the clothes and buildings work so well against the light of the sky in what is a wonderfully constructed image. Great capture and well thought out.

Viva Fiesta - Congratulations! I'm always looking for alternative approaches to crowd photography, and you have delivered that with this entry. A wide frame offers more to the narrative here, and the colour tones have so many film aesthetics here. Very well done!

This is a wonderfully composed portrait where nature and subject work together. The twisting tree roots create an organic frame that draws the viewer directly to the two Dogs. Their black and white coats pop against the earthy tones, and their alert expressions add energy. A creative use of environment to highlight character and connection.

This beautifully presented and composed portrait radiates quality from the flawless technique and understanding of lighting to the color scheme which is vibrant and the different hues of reds jump off the screen. The close crop and side on view work very well as does the bride with their eye's closed. The dense black background frames the sitter and veil perfectly and the highlights on the face jump out. A superb portrait that really stood out. Very well done.

Beautiful photograph of an amazing location, the fog just adds gorgeous layers to this shot with the mountain in the background gently revealing itself then too.... Your depth of field was just perfect on this shot. My wife walked in when I was compiling my top ten images and she just went "Wow that's so beautiful" when she saw your shot. Congratulations on Fourth place.

A difficult image to capture, as it is such a tall structure and you have employed photo-editing skills well to correct verticals. The building appears to tower over very other building in Chicago, of which there are many fine and important historic skyscrapers. Can you photoshop out the tower name?

This is a very interesting angle and very different from anything else I had seen. I like the use of the wide lens looking directly upwards from the ground. It creates a nice composition of the red poppies standing out against the blue sky and whispy clouds.

Great action moment for an overall very nice photo. There were a lot of rodeo images submitted to this competition, and this is by far one of the best. My eye is drawn to the horse standing on two legs as the other two are kicked so highly in the air. The cowboy has a great look on his face as he falls and prepares for impact. The photographer exposed this photo perfectly and the cowboy is tack sharp as he falls. The photographer had the perfect shutter speed at 1/2500 to completely freeze the action of both subjects. I would crop the photo tighter going up to the horse's feet on the ground and to get rid of some of the people standing to the left. This is a fantastic image and filling the frame more with a tighter crop would keep my eye focused on the great moment the photographer captured.

Beautiful shot. Great attention to lighting and detail; the reflections work well together with the textured names of service members to create a layered portrait of loss and remembrance. I like that the Washington Monument is visible in the background as well. Well done!

The first thing to catch my eye in this image is the unusual high angle from which it was shot, one we're not used to seeing this animal from. At first glance, it also almost looks like the animal's eyes are closed. It's interesting, and confers the shot an aura of peace. The sharpness on the beak and head is satisfying, adding precious detail for the eye to feast on. The intense vignetting beautifully isolates the bird from its surroundings, instantly making the image more powerful and artistic. Overall, this is a unique shot that certainly deserves its place in the competition.

The vivid colors burst across this scene. The tight crop really accentuates the dynamic between the brilliant pink and purple flowers and the gardeners who justifiably look content with this group of bloomers. The soft greens in the background shape and frame the intense scene in the foreground perfectly, in what is a lovely capture, the saturation is very well controlled and the quality of light shines through onto the main subjects. A stunning environmental portrait. Well done.

This is very well done, if a little formal in its arrangement. A really decent exposure helped buy the sun's rays nicely captured with the figure placed harmoniously with both the idol and the wall. Tricky exposure to balance highlights here and the dark interior but a careful metering and a (well-supported) low shutter speed has meant that a good balance has been struck between detail and mood. Well done.

This photo captures a rare and dramatic moment of the Tokaido Shinkannsen racing through a curtain of water, creating a visually arresting scene. The use of speed is pivotal here: the blurred motion of the water spray contrasts beautifully with the sharp detail of the train, underscoring its velocity and engineering marvel. The overhead web of catenary wires adds to the industrial aesthetic, framing the train and enhancing the sense of movement. The composition is strong, with the sleek, futuristic design of the train serving as a central focus, while the water spray creates a dynamic, almost surreal atmosphere. The lighting is well-balanced, emphasizing the train’s reflective surface and lending it a luminous, ethereal quality. While the image excels in drama and technical execution, the setting might feel overly complex for some, slightly detracting from the minimalist beauty often associated with trains. Still, it’s a compelling tribute to modern transport.

The clean background to this image ensures the foreground detail is highlighted and we can focus on the three subjects. We really like the subtle light gradient too, demonstrating perfect exposure control. The focus is also expertly done, while depth-of-field is spot on.

This photograph is a beautiful portrayal of public transport. The tram, the central character of the composition, is framed perfectly between the narrow buildings that lead the viewer’s eye directly toward it. The perspective and symmetry enhance the sense of depth, while the converging lines of the tracks and architecture pull the viewer deeper into the scene. The warm, golden lighting creates atmospheric mood and a beautifully rich colour scheme. Technically and artistically, the image captures the soul of public transport transport with Altogether, this powerful image captures the soul of public transport by blending authenticity, atmosphere and humanity.

A timeless image that is wonderfully composed like a painting. The striking choice of black and white draws the viewers eye immediately to the central subject. The mist creates a calmness which is intersected with a shard of dark clouds to create the illusion that the subject is sailing through the sky. The photographer provides mild 'anchors', but nothing reveals the full context of the photo. This result is the feeling of trying to remember a mysterious dream from a fleeting, blurry memory.

Spider's webs can be some of the most beautifully constructed things in nature. I love their geometric precision. When photographed in this way with backlit water droplets, they always remind me of sparkling diamonds on a necklace. Had the photographer photographed the foreground web in isolation, the image would have been excellent in its own right, but the inclusion of an out-of-focus web in the background adds another level altogether and gives the photograph so much more depth. I also rather like the placement of the web's centre in the frame and the way it breaks all the rules of conventional composition - this adds a drama to the image that it deserves. Also note how the background web has been carefully positioned so that central ring is in clear space. The light defraction creating subtle rainbow colours in areas of the frame is a bonus. Great shot.

This picture stood out amongst others because of its simple yet graphic and bold composition. The colour palette works well, with the red jellyfish bodies contrasting very nicely against the dark blue background while the lighter colour tentacles give a nice sense of converging and moving upwards in the frame.

There's a lovely, heartwarming energy to this engaging image. The protagonist's smile and connection with the camera are key to this. The bright colours of the pride flag contrast nicely with the background, which has been artfully rendered blurred with a shallow depth of field.

These are my favourite kind of conditions. To me there is little better than a frozen, misty morning in the dead of winter, where the sun is strong enough to burn through the low mist and create magical moments like this one. Your composition works well, with the sweep of the road in the foreground leading the eye to the sun bursting through the trees. I'm glad you went with a portrait orientation as it keeps everything tight in the frame. It's also great to see images like this being captured on a mobile device, going to show that the best camera is the one you have on you, enabling you to capture magic. The effect of the sun coming through the trees is what makes the image for me, and the light on the frozen road. I like the silhouette of the tree on the right of the frame, and all in all this works really well. Thank you for sharing.

This is a simple but effective image. The calm conditions has presented the photographer with a great opportunity to capture mirror like reflections and attractive symmetry. The soft, low contrast light suits the scene and the low cloud provides nice mood.

This is an excellent peak action moment. The photographer was able to keep both players in the frame without cropping off any arms/legs/heads, despite #44 jumping so high in the air. These moments don't come around too often, but the photographer was ready and nailed the moment.