Handles

Old items can tell a story so easily when there are clear signs of wear and age. The colours of the wood and rusty ironwork blend well to produce a pleasing photo. The keen focus on the handle draws attention to where it turns and I am drawn to wonder about what might have been behind that solid-looking barrier, and how many people might have used it during its time…

This image is inspired. Without the stripey background, how could you gain interest from a transparent subject like this? It was also different from the other submissions to my “Handles” contest, so stood out from them. The image is cropped to exclude all but the handle, to address the brief particularly well.

I love the detail and colours of this neglected gate latch. A wonderful find. Thank you so much for adding to the value of this image by giving it such an imaginative title - many might have simply made a factual statement. The result is a thought-provoking subject, leaving me to ponder on its original purpose and what now hides beyond.

This is a lovely shot and you have adjusted the angle to show off the interesting shape of this handle. You can be rightfully proud of this but I exclude entries that exhibit any form of signature, however subtle, from consideration for a formal commendation. Please don’t feel chastised for that, but be aware that some judges may also disregard what is an excellent image for the same reason.

Another good shot that has clearly made a handle (or knocker in this case) the subject of the image, assisted by a slight vignetting. Not only is this an interesting piece of craftsmanship, but the patina of the brass also suggests that it has been a well-used one. I am left to consider how many have used it and if the fruit has any significance? Gorgeous colours!

I like the colours in this image. It was fortunate that the patina of the handle matched the pristine paintwork of the shutter it is fixed to. By including the width of the shutter frame, we get the full context of the setting. I’m wondering if the handle has been deliberately distressed to achieve its interesting appearance. Thank you for capturing it and submitting it to my “Handles” contest.

A subject as generic as “handles” was bound to encourage a variety of subjects and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to submit an entry to this contest. That variety made it all the more interesting to judge.

This image caught my attention because it was different. Not only is there more than one identical handle, the handles disappear into the background as if continuing to infinity, aided by a ‘dreamy’ lack of focus. I’m sure that many of us might have had the opportunity to capture such a shot but passed it by without exploring the possibilities. Congratulations on gaining my first choice.

This is a wonderful composition. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to put it together. You have managed to arrange some mundane objects in an attractive way. No two handles are the same and the random nature of their assembly adds to the interest (although I can imagine that it may have taken some time to arrange).

Thank you for explaining what this image is of in your title. It had reminded me of an old bow-fronted fridge I once had (that refused to ‘die’). It is the background that caught my eye – rust has a captivating effect on some people. Then, I studied the handle and wondered what material it was made from. Compared to the rest of the vehicle, the weather seems to have had little effect on it and it’s probably as functional, today, as it ever was. Well captured, and thanks for your contribution to my “Handles” contest!

This is such a simple image, yet one that contains a lot. The woodgrain of the rolling pin is captivating, with added detail being gained from the reflection. The lighting throws interesting shadows across the subject and the angle provides extra dimension. Thank you for taking the trouble to produce a most imaginative contribution. (- Perhaps, next time, you could apply more thought to the title, also?-)

I often forget to consider a shot taken from an angle and take a quick ‘flat documentary’ instead. This one has worked well because of the judicious cropping, however, and the contrasting colour of the gold on red make for an eye-catching image. Stronger lighting might have lifted this more, but we have to work with what is available. Thank you for entering it into my “Handles” contest.

This shot is different and stands out because of that. I notice that it’s time that it was serviced – perhaps you might advise someone before it is needed for more than photographic purposes? Thank you for addressing the brief and avoiding the temptation to pick something ‘close’ from your existing portfolio.

Having worked with wood, I have a weakness for studying the different grains and colours it can produce. A carved handle, like this, gives a chance for the grain to perform greater flow and change of direction than that offered by a flat surface. The background is nicely out of focus to concentrate on the contours of the handle. I might have cropped off the left side of the image a little, to remove the darker shadow and improve balance. Many thanks for your contribution to "Handles".

This is a wonderful shot, especially if it is from a smart phone. The detail in the metal work and shading of the paint is remarkable. It’s exactly what I was hoping for in my contest for “Handles”, being focussed on the handle, yet providing some interesting background to give it more context.

This is a fine shot of what must have been a very fine door handle in its day. The layers of flaking paint suggest that this has served a purpose for some considerable time and the ornate decoration hints of “importance”. Thank you for submitting this image for my “Handles” contest and congratulations in reaching the top ten.

When you cannot find interest in detail, why not use colour instead? I like this shot because it addresses the brief directly, which helps a lot, and it is simple. When faced with door knobs and knockers in profusion, something different makes for a pleasant interlude. Many thanks for submitting this image to my “Handles” contest!