Hand Tools

A striking image, and one I kept coming back to in the judging for my top ten selection. The colours are an obvious draw to the shot, and it makes me wonder exactly what has gone on in this store to create such an amazing splatter of colours on both the counter top and the hammer to create such a work of art! A simple composition, but effective. Well done on your top ten placing.

This image stood out for me as soon as I saw it, and it remained the one to beat. Everything is clear and in sharp focus, and the lighting brings a lovely atmosphere to the shot. Your image description reports that a new background has been added to eliminate distractions, and this has been done well and sensitively, as there is nothing about the image which makes the subject look like a cut-out and the backdrop looks in keeping with the main subject. It is not clear whether the shot is posed or a true action shot, but that does not matter as either way it illustrates the story of a stonemason at work. The composition and framing are spot-on for me, as we are in nice and close to see the details of the subject, his tools and the stone. Congratulations on your winning image.

This image drew my attention as soon as I saw it, and it was always in my top ten. There is a good balance to the composition, and although darker tones prevail, exposure is good as we can still see plenty of detail and textures in the snippers and the string. Focus and lighting on the point where the string is held in the snippers is especially good, as it draws the eye before allowing exploration of the rest of the scene. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

What I really like about this image is the great balance of the tones and colours throughout the image, giving a lovely feel to the shot. By choosing to place the sharpest focus on the middle section of the whisk, we can see plenty of detail in the metalwork which does a great job in visually describing this piece of kitchen equipment. Some may find the very blurred whisk ends in the foreground a little distracting, but I think had the entire whisk been in sharp focus, the image may have been a little too confusing and there would have been nowhere obvious to focus. Instead we have a more creative and artistic capture which is a pleasure to view. Well done on your top ten placing.

This is such a simple composition, but one which has been technically very well executed, I feel as though I could reach forward and take hold of this little screwdriver. There are some lovely textural details on the handle, highlingting the grain of the wood and the smoother metal. Aperture choice is spot on, as a good amount of the subject is in sharp focus, with the further parts falling softly out of focus, but still identifiable. Lighting is good, and the overall processing of the image has been very successful. Congratulations on your second place finish.

A simple but well executed photograph, showing the tool and all its little features and marks of use at its best. I especially like the detail you have captured on the ridged gripping "teeth" of the tool, and the viewer is left in no doubt how the subject would feel if they could reach in and touch. Lovely tones and colours throughout, using varying shades of warm browns to bring a nice richness to the image. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

An unusual and interesting capture of a rather large set of bolt cutters with their operator, perfectly getting the balance between subject and context. Difficult lighting conditions, shooting into the very low sun, would have been challenging, but you have exposed the image appropriately to avoid a silhouette effect. The image would make a great advert for the construction industry! Well done on your top ten placing.

I am not always a great fan of HDR- type images, but I think the processing used on this image has worked well. There is a lovely depth to the shot, and the punchy contrasts of the black and white conversion suit the subject. Focusing and control of depth of field is spot on, as the eye is immediately drawn to the hands and the tool, with the rest of the image softly out of focus, but still clearly identifiable with no distracting over-blur areas. I especially like how you have captured the textures and details on the hands and forearms of the craftsman. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.