Glass

Beautifully composed and technically flawless, this portrait of maiko Fukuyuri has plenty going for it. The exposure is expertly judged, the focus is exactly where we want it (on the face in the mirror) and the contrast between the soft fabric and the angular shapes painted on her neck is wonderful. The tight crop at the top works well, drawing attention to her state of mind as she applies her make-up.

It’s hard to convey the sense of wonder you experience when standing inside Sainte Chapelle in Paris, but the photographer has done a wonderful job of communicating a sense of awe here. Using a 24-70mm lens at the wider end has allowed plenty of the chapel to be included and resulted in converging verticals that encourage our eyes to soar skywards.

When you’re playing around with reflections and refractions it’s easy to get things wrong – if one object is slightly misaligned it can spoil the whole illusion. Here, however, every square, line and curve is just where it should be, creating a still life that is incredibly satisfying to the eye.