A beautifully calm image with a light that hints at the warmth of the day to follow. Great control has been shown to match the bright highlights with the darker regions, keeping the details in both. A wonderful colour palette with warmth in the highlights and cooler tones in the shadows. The perfect symmetry of the reflection and straight horizon is very pleasing to the eye. A simple scene with demonstration of sophistication and deliberate intent.
The golden light bathing the main structure in the town immediately captures the viewers eye. The same light and colour can then be found dotted around the smaller buildings. The tilt shift style works wonderfully on this snowy little town. A great example of the beautiful light available to us during golden hour.
2,918 Images entered
The more you look the more you see and feel. A seemingly simple image explodes with features and meaning. The industrial silhouette emitting heat that ripples the air, almost cupping the yellow sun like a hand. The distant wind turbines evoke the idea of a cleaner future of energy with the cranes in the mid range demonstrating growth and progress. A well exposed photo for the challenging light will lots to find for those that go looking.
Great composition and exposure. Managing the bright highlights from artificial city lights as the natural light begins to fade takes careful attention. The centring of the Burj Khalifa is balanced well by the satellite buildings and highway system. A clean and controlled image of dusk that is wonderful to explore.
This shot definitely hits the mark of "golden hour in the city". A well balanced exposure and composition with gold everywhere you look. The bright sunlight behind the Palace of Westminster, with a hint of glare, draws the eye to the middle of the frame. Even the Thames looks beautiful in this photo!
1,139 Photographers
Meet the expert judge
Brief
See more contest details
The rising and setting sun is not always so easily seen in the disrupted skyline of a city, but the warm light still brings a special ambience to the streets. Glass-clad buildings and city-centre rivers can offer interesting golden hour compositions, and there are usually accessible elevated locations, both inside and out, that allow more traditional cityscape imagery.
You've captured a beautiful moment here with some spectacular golden light. The star burst from the sun is a great touch and I love the molten gold look to the paving stones. The proportions are well thought out with the strong lines of the bridge curve and the perspective line by the river. My brain had to work extra hard to make sense of the shadow on the left due to the low angle of the sun and curved surface! But then I worked out it was owned by the father with the extra child on the back.
An everyday occurrence captured in an extradentary way. The dominating feature of the Arc de Triomphe stands over the hustle and bustle of the street below. Strong photographically technical features are abundant. The triangle created by the two in-focus cars and the Arc, the leading lines of the road and trees, a horizontal symmetry combined with a vertical separation into thirds, and a depth of field that draws you away from the dominating highlights to explore the in-focus foreground. I may be guessing her too but the lack of sharpness in the distant bokeh show a heat to the air that complements the warm light.
I love the dreamy morning feel of this image. Just enough warm tones throughout with a hint of morning chill. The contrasting turquoise colour of the domed building draws the attention of the eye but allows it to drift to the distant and distinct church in the misty background. Highlights on the lower central buildings guide the viewer to the wonderful details in the foreground, creating a strong central triangle of varying scenes. Wonderful work!
That light! The photographer has done well to stop and appreciate the breath-taking moment presented to anyone willing to stop and look around. The mundane nature of the people going about their day as if this is nothing special only magnifies the importance of photography to capture moments like this before they slip away. We so often take the natural world for granted when the complexity of our lives occupy our minds. This photo shows us the beauty all around us can quiet the mind and make the day-to-day a little more special.
Definitely a striking panorama with depth of distance and detail. The vertical symmetry between the stadium and roof adds to the strong imagery. There are two things that could set this photo up for even more success. Although the light from the sky is yellow/orange in nature, the interior of the stadium takes on a less appealing yellow/green feel. Whether this is a sky replacement or a blend of exposures, the masking throughout the windows around the rim of the stadium detract from the otherwise professional look of the shot. These are minor points that I mention so this image could go even further than it already has.
A story in silhouette. Everything about this image works well. The bright sun gives off just enough glare to force the eye away as if it were real. The sharp contrast of the silhouette of the tree and human figure then immediately capture the eye, only for it to drift to the distant hint of the city in the background. A gentle glow and warm light give a dreamlike essence that is captivating and calming.
A well framed view of the Blue Mosque with the autumn foliage. The warmer colours of the leaves and golden spires contrast well with the cooler tones of the domed roof. A clean and balanced exposure with directional highlights adding dimension to the structure and life to the trees. A great composition and well taken.
Wonderful details, light and colour. I can almost smell the tannery with this photo. The brightness of the sunlight shining on the left accentuates the deep earthy colours of the buildings. This is neatly contrasted in colour by the blue in the shadowed pools and a few other scattered specks. Despite the variation in light conditions, the depth of details remains through both extremes.
