Handicrafts

A lovely flat-lay set-up of these pretty handmade garments, photographed in a high-key style which brings a lightness and crispness to the shot, which really suits the subject. The set up works really well, as there is plenty for the eye to explore without looking cluttered. Control of the highlights on the white fabric has been done well, and the colours have avoided being over-saturated and becoming garish against the white, so retaining a delicate look. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

A beautifully captured image showing the hands of the artist as they work with precision to shape the clay. Lighting is spot on, as there is good contrast between shadows and highlights without being harshly contrasty. Everything is in sharp focus, from the smooth clay to the textures of the skin, but there is a lovely softness to the image too. Excellent conversion to black and white makes the subject really stand out. Although we cannot see the face of the artist, the detail captured here shows the skillful precision of their work. Congratulations on your second place finish.

Skillful use of a wide aperture lens has created a strong portait of the potter at work. The resulting shallow depth of field works really well. The turning pot and the potters hands are in sharp focus, with the rest of the scene, including the artist's face, softly out of focus by just the right amount. The relatively wide angle adds an interesting perspective too, with the pot being very much in the forefront, but without looking over-distorted or exaggerated. The muted colours and limited colour palette work really well with the subject, as everything in the scene is more-or-less the colour of the unbaked clay. Congratulations on your third place finish.

An interesting environmental portrait photograph of what looks to be a glass-painter at work. The concentration of the artist has been well captured as has the precision of the work. Framing and composition of the image has been done well, with the placement of the figure ensuring they remain the focus, but enough of the surroundings and completed artwork to add interest and context. Well done on your top ten placing.

A simple subject but one which has been well composed and well photographed. The patches running across the frame on a diagonal adds a dynamic to the image, and the bobbins of thread placed on the thirds add to the visual appeal. The colours of the patchwork are harmonious and work nicely with the backdrop of lighter but similar hues, which makes the subject stand out. Well lit with a good balance of tones throughout, allowing plenty of details in the stitchwork to be revealed. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

This image stood out as the likely winner as soon as I saw it, and there are many elements that come together to make this a great image. Composition is spot-on, and the angle of view, being low down on the same level as the potter, brings an intimacy to the shot. We are close enough to see the detail of the potter and her work, but also get a glimpse of the surroundings too. The colours are lovely, with the pale aqua on the wall contrasting with the pop of vivid red on her clothing. The image has been captured at just the right moment, as it conveys a sense of care and pride that the lady has in her craft. Beautifully lit, even the tatty striped plastic bag bring something to the image, as it looks unposed and natural. Congratulations on your winning image.

The unusual lighting makes this image stand out, turning the image from a record shot of someone knitting to a creative environmental portrait. There is no information attached with the image to know the circumstances of the capture or whether it is a staged set-up, but the strength of the light reveals just enough of the subject to enable the viewer to pick out not only the figure working, but also the floor filled with balls of yarn. It may have been tempting to convert the low-key image to black and white, which would undoubtedly still have been impactful, but I think the retention of colour creates greater impact and contributes to a strong image overall. Well done on your top ten placing.

This image is so full of interest, details and bold contrasting colours it is difficult to ignore. There is no obvious focal point, but that does not really detract from the image, as the direct overhead view balances this out by creating a little simplicity. I like the composition of the shot, with the inclusion of some of the tools for leaded glasswork, and by showing a piece of work in progress it gives the viewer an insight into how stained glass masterpieces are constructed. I briefly dabbled in the art of stained glass some years ago but had to give it up when downsizing during a housemove, so this image is full of fond memories of a wonderfully creative hobby. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.