Extreme Contrast - Pure Black & White

I really like this image but there were far too many outstanding images to compete with but this does deserve mention - it is an outstanding image and will do well in many other contests - possibly it could do with a slight straighten but this is one of the best tower images I have been privaleged to see.

Magical image catches the eye and despite the heavy b/w contrast, there is a lot of detail. A moment caught to perfection with the water the figures and the scenery, I love the dead space....... The grain actually works and you can sense the sun. This works on so many levels, I get the impression this tells a story of a holiday that will last in the memory.......

One of the few where white dominated the image and its simplicity won me over as well as the dead space used to perfection and the extreme contrast that I asked for. The reflection I assume is added and it has been used effectively but not to overpower. The positioning and composition are genius and the simple inclusion of the weed on the chain sealed the deal.....

Again I was unsure to include this one with so many fantastic images in this contest but this one gives us what a photo should - a story in one frame...... Beautiful softness to the b/w and the perfect moment...... The composition and positioning of all elements is glorious, the hair, fingers, torch, even the subtle shadows on the covers awesome, well done......

The class of this image is obvious and I would have been amiss if I had not included one of this photographers images in the top 10 far too distinctive. The contrast is perfection but the shadow lines do it for me, the eyes and the lips with the background give us the extreme contrast that was required...

There were many landscapes and most were very well done but just b/w, I wanted extreme blacks and whites and this one has. There is extreme contrast yet mood especially with the softness and the contrasts all over the image. Nice composition and even the dead space has interest.

I couldn't take my eye of this - there were over 1500 images and this stood out and grabbed me. So simple but done to perfection, extreme contrast black and white and the magic use of dead space. The mysterious spiral is so interesting and draws you in. I was very jealous. Is it lit from below, has the spiral been enhanced...... lovely.......

Astounding clarity on the feather and the luminous feel to the whites is glorious, this is perfection for the brief - I couldnt ask for more contrast in blacks and whites. There are some speckles on the reflection I would have removed but beautiful.....

This stood out for me from the start, I kept it in then out of the top 10 a few times but I had to. Even though it is with an iPhone and it is very soft this is just magical - the soft luminance gives it a painting quality. There is plenty of detail in the blacks but the eye is drawn and the peacefulness and warmth of the sun cannot be passed by.......

I really like this image but there were far too many outstanding images to compete with but this does deserve mention - the contrast is perfect yet the details are clear, there is a softness that pleases and the bokeh is magical.

I really like this image but there were far too many outstanding images to compete with but this does deserve mention - possibly the slight lack of extreme blacks and whites that I was looking for pushed it out of the 10, but this is pure beauty and I wouldn't change it, the softness yet clarity is awesome, you are drawn into the face and eyes, brilliant positioning of the model and the composition.. The slight blemish on the shoulder does distract me though.......

Beautiful contrast, the white is smooth and the blacks misty, great composition being minimalist and almost abstract. Brilliant dead space and one of the few where white was dominant. Lovely reflection and the whole thing has a sense of mystery. Impressive......