Handicrafts

I deliberated for quite a while over which image would take the top spot, but eventually this one won, as I felt the subject matter most represented the theme, in that we can see the artist at work, rather than just view their materials. You have captured the artist's hands at just the right moment as tiny precision marks are made on the clay. An excellent decision to convert the image to black & white - I imagine the colour version would not be nearly as strong. You say in your accompanying description that you found the lighting challenging, but you have managed it very well, as the light and focus on the clay and the hands is super, and forces our attention to the key part of the image. Great work, congratulations on your winning image.

I really love the delicacy you have achieved with this image. The lighting is good, as any heavy shadows are avoided, which would have ruined the feel of the shot. I really like the very simple colour palette, with the soft bluey-grey of the yarn contrasting with the pale brown wood. I may have been tempted to crop off a section from the right of the image to give a squarer framing, but that is just personal choice. Still a lovely image, well done on your top ten placing.

I really like this image, which shows just a small part of the tools of the trade in this artist's studio. Lighting is good with shadows and highlights well controlled, and I like your choice of a wide aperture which keeps the near objects in clear focus, and then the focus softens through the depth of the image with pleasing results. We can still see all the brushes etc, but do not become visually confused by them. Lovely image, well done.

This is a very clever image, and if just given a passing glance, the subject may not be immediately obvious. It is a slight shame we cannot see the view of the other side of the threads in detail and admire the intricacies of this weaving technique, as the work looks to be extremely fine. We are still able though to enjoy this image, taken from a very creative point of view. Well composed with the threads running across on a diagonal, with some bright, bold colours to complete the scene. Well done of your top three finish.

I have judged a number of contests now, and do not usually go for this type of multi-image compositions, but I think it works really well here, hence its place in my top ten. I think the reason it works so well is in your choice of subject, and you have limited the 16 mini-images to just one garment. This gives harmony across the complete image and does not become over-fussy or confusing. Lovely bold colours, a well constructed image - well done!

This image was in and out of my top ten for a while, but in the end, I decided it deserved to be placed. What initially left me undecided was the split colour toning, especially the bluish tint taken on by the skin - for me the image may have worked better in straight black & white. However, I do really like your subject choice and composition. It must have been challenging to capture spinning clay and working hands without too must loss of focus. Well done.

I really love this shot, and even though it was just pipped in the race for top spot, it still a very worthy second placing. What I really like is the gentleness you have managed to convey in your image, which is perfect for the subject. The wool looks delightfully soft and your capture of the colours is superb. Very well composed - it can be tricky when in close to the subject to get the composition and set up right, but there is just the right amount of needle poking through the wool, at just the right angle. Super image, well done on your second place.

There is something quite captivating about this image, and I felt it deserved a place in my top ten. Your focus on the wool is great, and you have been able to capture its very touchable texture. Your lighting is good too, and shows off the weave nicely, and you have controlled the highlights well to avoid blowing out the bright white on the wooly penguin. A simple image, but very well taken, and a perfect subject choice for this handicrafts themed contest. Well done.

This was a later entry into my top ten, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. Well composed, exposed and focused. I like the set up with the main sketch lines on a diagonal, and some of the tools coming into the frame to give more context to the work. It is a very strong documentary image showing the work of leaded glass construction. Well done on your top ten finish.
(Credit too on your leaded glass work. I have some fairly limited experience, but had to give it up with a house-move, as space was no longer available. Could never cut my curves as clean as yours!!)