Fences

This is a fabulous abstract image, and the perfect choice in a "fences" contest. A bold decision to put the fence exactly on the diagonal, but it really works. Another success I think comes from the presence of the longer tufts of grass on this side of the fence, with nothing but white on the other side. Wise decision to convert to black & white, as it adds to the graphic, abstract feel of the shot. Great work, well done.

The beautiful gentle lighting and soft muted colours first attracted me to this image, and puts it in my third place. A classic scene of the Yorkshire countryside, bringing back memories of countryside walks, with the ground wet from rains, but the land green with the promise of spring. The wire fence leads us nicely in to the cottage in the centre of the image and the little bit of sunlight on the distant fields. I really like the limited colour palette, just soft greens, greys and browns. Great work, well done.

I imagine there will be a lot of people who see absolutely no merit in an image like this, but I think it has a strange kind of beauty and I love it! The square format lends itself to such a minimalist landscape shot, and you have done well to realise the potential for this image in such grim weather. Nothing is in sharp focus, but with this image that does not matter - and actually adds to the mood of the damp foggy bleakness. Starkly simple, but excellent image. Well done.

A classically composed and beautifully lit landscape image. This is a great example of a location which would look totally different had you stayed in bed for a few hours longer and headed onto the ridge at noon! You have captured the lovely golden dawn light and the mist in the valley below. I think here the fence is an essential compositional element, as it leads us into the shot and takes us way along the ridge in the distance. An image giving reward for your early morning venture. Well done.

You have managed to turn your local council's grey concrete walls and fence into a fabulous abstract image. It works really well having been taken on a diagonal, and for me makes the image more attention-grabbing. The abundance of grey works well for this shot, being stark and yet soft at the same time. Great abstract shot. Well done.

There is no shooting information attached to this shot, but it looks to have been taken with a very slow shutter speed which has rendered the water milky and added to the gentle of the scene. Lovely colours - sofy pinky greys also create a feeling of calm. The fence adds an anchor to the image and provides an initial focal point. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

Deciding my final placings in this contest was a challenge, but eventually this beautiful image claims my top spot. Wonderfully atmospheric, it looks to have been taken at dawn on a chilly day, as the mist slowly rises from the water. I do not know if the shot took a lot of planning, but it certainly is a case of right day, right place, right time! The exposure is spot on, with no areas too dark or too bright. Colouring has also been well controlled, saturated with gorgeous golden yellow, but not over done in processing (I suspect a gradient has perhaps been added in processing, but that adds to the mood. However, if I am being picky, I would perhaps try a gentler blend between the colours to avoid such a strong central band) Composition is great too - the central horizon works well due to the symmetry of the reflections in the loch, and the all important fence coming in on the lower third. The more I look at this image, the more I like it. A classic big print for the wall! Congratulations on your winning image.

This image was always going to feature near the top of my placings from when I first saw it. I love it! You have done really well to spot the potential for a great shot, and been careful to select the most appropriate viewpoint. I really like the stark contrast of the black & bright white, which adds to the abstract nature of the shot. Whilst it is abstract, there is also a story to be told. I am not sure whether you took this image from the "inside" or the "outside", but I am sure many people will look at this scene and recall a similarly splayed fence which they used in their younger days as a short cut or to access forbidden grounds. Great image, well done on your second place.

I surprise myself by commending quite a few images of little birds on fences (as it is not a subject I would normally go for), and felt this one deserved to be placed. Whilst the subject of image at the point of capture was undoubtedly the bird, the fence features strongly enough to do well in this "fences" contest. I really like how you have composed the shot with the bird bang in the centre, and the perfectly symmetrical, slightly rusting, geometric fence filling the rest of the shot. Gentle, natural colouring and well focused on the fence and bird. Lovely image, well done.

I have seen this fascinating image in previous contests, but it is the first time I have reviewed it. It really is great. I also commend you being in this location in the first place, I imagine not the easiest of going underfoot, even with snow-shoes! Lovely composition with the fence tops snaking in a gentle "S" into the distance and over the horizon. You have done well to be able to retain the vague shape of the distant hill in the sea of whiteness, which I think further improves the shot. Wonderful image, well done.