Footwear

This image drew my attention as soon as I saw it, and it is an unusual but creative image. The model holding a photograph of her own shoes adds so much more than a simple posed portrait with a more incongruous prop. Lighting is well controlled, with enough gentle shadows to prevent a cut-out look, and I like that the background is not harsh and over-white, and although the white and red creates a strong contrast, there is still a lovely softness to the image. Congratulations on your winning image.

I like the abstract nature of this image, with the blue outline of the flip-flops against the white sand. Composition and framing is done well, and although part of the upper sandal is missing, it does not look cropped off as clear sand surrounds the entire frame. Lighting has been well controlled, with just enough light shadows to show depth and form, and to prevent the subject looking like a cut-out. Well done on your top ten placing.

A simple but effective image of some pointe ballet shoes "in action". The close-up view ensures the footwear is the key focus of the image, without being just a static still-life of some shoes. Lighting is good and there is plenty of textural detail in feet and the creases of the fabric to add interest. Converting the image to black and white has ensured the brickwork in the background does not dominate, along with good control over the depth of field which has kept everything aside from the subject in soft focus. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

A photo of a child playing on a swing will often be more of a family snapshot that an interesting or creative photograph with wide appeal, but the low viewpoint pointing the camera up from the ground gives an unusual perspective and a point of difference. Use of a wide aperture has ensured the shoes are in sharp focus, but there is sufficient detail in the out-of-focus distance for the face of the child to be seen. Interesting and different, well done on your top ten placing. (Let's all hope such 'good old times' return soon)

A great image of some well-worn hiking boots. Technically spot-on with regards to focusing, lighting and exposure etc. What made the image stand out for me is the well considered accessories of the map in the backdrop and appropriate hiking "tools" alongside. Framing is good, with just the right amount of space around the subject to help create a harmonious look. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

A great still-life image of these iconic boots. What I especially like is the low-key effect of the black boots against the black background, with just the bright yellow laces and stitch detail popping out of the shot. The boots have been well lit, with the light picking out highlights on small areas of the leather and soles to show the form and textures of the creases and sole patterns. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

One of the key strengths of this image is that the subject completely fills the frame, with no extraneous bits of shop fittings, people etc on the edges of the frame. This adds to the abstract feel of the shot and allows full focus to be on the subject with no distractions. Obviously the shoes were already displayed for you with no opportunity to set the scene yourself, but your capture of the vast range of colours looks realistic with good capture of details. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

A well composed close-up of some striking red boots. With a close-up shot it can be very difficult to know where to frame the shot for best effect, and what to include or leave out. Here I think you have it just right, as the subject is obvious, with a touch of the abstract too. Placing the lacing on a diagonal across the frame works well, and there is lovely contrast between the red and the black, without over-saturating the red. Highlights on the shiny areas have been well controlled too. Congratulations on your second place image.

One of the key successes of this image is the low to the ground viewpoint from which these sandals have been captured. Composition is great, with the footwear large in the frame, but importantly giving a good sense of the surrundings by showing the sea in the far distance and the figures on the shoreline. Good textures in the sand, both on the beach and on the sandals create a very realistic shot. I personally find the film-effect digital frame unnecessary, but that is personal preference and here it does not detract from the subject. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

An unusual image, but one that works especially well through the creative processing style used. The high contrast black and white is very effective and has been used to best effect to allow the white bands and logo on the footwear to really pop out. I am not usually a fan of digital frames being added to images, as they can often become the main focal point of the image, but here it works well with the image overall. The strong diagonal across the frame of the paving, wall and feet strengthen the shot. Congratulations on your third place finish.