Farm animals

A very striking image. The long horns are a central and dominant feature of the composition and the sunburst effect is a great touch. I like the way the horns of other animals are separated and distinct, as this simplifies the composition. I particularly enjoy the interplay of light and smoke.

This is a beautifully lit and composed image. I love the way the ewe's lowered head leads us into picture and the lamb; it is easy to imagine her stare being both trusting and alert. Against the harmony of a blue/green back-drop the black and white markings of the sheep are completed by the sheep dog, which provides a visual full-stop. A very engaging portrayal of farm animals.

This has all the charm and warmth of a children's picture book. The bright colours and expressive look, with a fantastic eye, all create an idealised farm, with an invitation to meet the animals who live there. With so many pictures following a predictable similarity, I really enjoy the creativity and fun in your approach - well done!

This photograph is far from the imagined charm of picture book farm animals. Here we see the reality of being unceremoniously carried to/from the local market. The composition works well; the basket is prominent and the birds' heads stand out well against the sky and draw our attention, whilst the farmer's face is hidden and his arm plays a strong compositional role in linking him to the basket. Great documentary shot.

This is a terrific example of the bucolic scene many would imagine if asked to think about farm animals. The portrait-format composition works well, as it provides a great sense of depth and open space, whilst the main subject is grouped effectively in the gateway. Well done.

There are few better ways to capture the charm and delight of young animals than to photograph frolicking lambs in Spring. The shallow depth of field throws the background out of focus, so our attention is firmly held by the antics of the main subjects. Great shot!

A strikingly different approach and I love the creativity in this image. The strong graphic design enhances the impact of these cows in a field with an unexplained cross. The cow with a white head provides a strong point of interest, whilst those grazing behind are a good foil.

The use of repeating pattern and shapes play a significant part in this eye-catching composition. The bold use of a light-coloured sheep is further exploited by only including half of the head and it certainly pays off in the way the shape links to the background. A great example of thinking differently and almost a Top 10 picture.

Although the image processing is (photographically) a little intense, there is no denying the horrors of some farming practices and the abuse animals suffer. I have assumed these pigs are still alive and it is culturally and economically acceptable for them to be treated this way - truly awful and thankfully we have organisations to protest on behalf of these animals https://www.ciwf.org.uk/

A very pleasing and simple portrait of a cow, using a limited but effective colour palette. The square format works well ....and perhaps because of that, there is something about this that reminds me of the cover picture on Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother.

There is so much to enjoy in this image. I love the quirky composition and the way the bulk and shape of the tree is echoed by the bull. This would certainly have been one of my Commended pictures (and possibly Top 10) if it were not for image quality. I do not believe image quality is everything when judging competitions, but the sky has heavily pixelated areas that sadly spoil this image for me.

A pleasing picture of a parrot but unfortunately 'not on brief' for this competition. It is really important to check your entries against the competition title and the details in the brief. I am sure this is a picture that will do well in other competitions, so keep your eye open for something more suitable. Good luck.

A humorous and delightful alternative view of farm animals. It is very reminiscent of the famous shot by Magnum photographer, David Hurn, who recorded sheep sheltering from the rain at a bus-stop in the Welsh valleys. Great shot and it shows sheep are not as daft as many people think..

A very nice cat portrait with beautiful lighting; the detail in the eyes really stands out. Cats live on farms but I am not sure they really fall into the category of ‘farm animals’, unless they are shown in context. I mainly think of farm animals as those reared for food or working animals like heavy horses. For me this is not on brief as it’s a picture that could have been taken in a wide variety of situations, but could do well in other competitions. Try again and good luck!

Sadly not on brief....your title even refers to wild, rather than the domesticated animals we would typically see on a farm. To increase your chances of competition success it is really important to spend a few moments reading the brief carefully, to make sure your selection is as strong as possible. Better luck next time.

A nice photograph of wild ducks but sadly not on brief. This competition was looking for farm animals, so domestic ducks would have been a good choice but mallards sadly don't count. Perhaps try this in another competition - good luck.

Oops- definitely Not on Brief with this one I’m afraid! This competition is for farm animals, not wild animals and it shows how important it is to read the competition title and brief to ensure you give yourself the best possible chance!

Oops- definitely Not on Brief with this one I’m afraid! This competition is for farm animals, not wild animals and it shows how important it is to read the competition title and brief to ensure you give yourself the best possible chance!

Oops- definitely Not on Brief with this one I’m afraid! Firstly you need to ensure you have the correct orientation, but this competition is for farm animals, not wild animals and it shows how important it is to read the competition title and brief to ensure you give yourself the best possible chance!

A really striking image. I would have considered this for a Commended/Top10 position but it was spoiled for me by the inclusion of a prominent logo, which pulls my eye away from the subject of your photograph. The convention for competitions, even if it is not explicitly stated, is to avoid identifying marks. It would be great to see this picture in another competition as a straight shot. I am sure it will do well.