Incredible Nature

The image makes me itch! To do well in competitions, it is not just about producing technically perfect images. There are flaws with the technical side of this image - the gull isn't perfectly sharp and some of the whites look blown. However, these are more than offset by the dramatic and dynamic nature of the image. The shutter speed employed no doubt added to the lack of sharpness in the gull, but it has also meant that the sand flies are captured in such a way that they almost seem alive and moving in the frame - this is the whole point of the photograph and is the very reason that makes it so interesting and eye-catching. A good photograph should elicit a strong response from the viewer - this image does just that and is why it is in the top 10. I challenge you to look at this photograph and not start scratching your hear furiously!

This is another of those images which is visually quite simple and uncluttered, yet the composition is so strong that the impact is huge. The wide dynamic range in this photograph would have been difficult to balance, but the photographer has managed this skillfully, retaining detail in both shadows and highlights. As a result, technically it is a very well captured photograph. It is the vision and the bold composition which really make it stand out, the use of light and shadow to highlight the Bison's trail is perfect; the line of the disturbed snow leads the viewer's eye through the scene beautifully so it comes to rest on the main focal point of the image - the bison itself; the contrast in the monotone snow and the warmer and darker tone of the animal's fur is striking; the fact that the Bison has its head down ploughing through the snow gives the viewer a sense of how tough the conditions are, conveying a real story. I also really love the choice of crop here and the positioning of the animal - so well balanced. A delightful and very different image.

There is a lot going on in this image, but all the elements have been beautifully crafted. Firstly, the subject itself is critically sharp and exposed well in relation to the remainder of the scene. The use of the warm tones of early morning light contrasts really well with the cooler tones of the flower the butterfly is perched upon and the out of focus elements surrounding it. The texture of these out of focus elements has created a dream-like feel and frames the subject expertly. A really beautiful image that is both simple and complex in equal measure.

This image looks so simple but, in reality, it is very complex. I love the simple use of colour to focus the viewers' attention just where it needs to go - the colourful ants dominate the scene, while the more muted colours of the background and railings provide balance and frame the image perfectly. The photographer has chosen just the right position to capture this image and the relationship between the ants. The perspective also means that the depth of field allows the ants to stay in focus, while the background blurs away, avoiding distractions. The relationship between the left hand ant and the group on the right tells a real story, and the moment of capture is perfect. This is such an extraordinary image which stood out from the thousands of others entered into this contest. My only slight issue, and this is such a minor point, is one of the rear legs of the left ant has been clipped by the side of the frame. Overall, a stunning image and a deserving winner of this amazing contest. Congratulations!

I like this photograph as the photographer has clearly gone through an iterative process to capture this shot; starting with a 'standard' macro image and adding extra elements along the way to make it more dynamic and visually appealing. The back lighting approach has been done before and can produce some really beautiful images, but the addition of water spray, captured with a shutter speed that conveys a sense of motion and drama is the element that elevates this image above many others. I also like the way the light is catching the water droplets accumulating on the caps. There is also a good depth of field allowing plenty of detail to be revealed in the caps. Perhaps the lighting is a little too harsh for my liking (but that is entirely subjective), and I would like a little more light on the base of the stems, but small issues only with a very inventive photograph.

Doing something different will get noticed in a competition and this is a great example of thinking outside of the usual box. Often, the simplest of images are also the most successful - this photograph is a great example of both of these things. I just love the inventiveness of this and the simple idea which has created a strong and very powerful image. The use of ultraviolet light is inspired and has highlighted the detail in the skin of this snake in a very unique and graphic way. The symmetry and detail revealed is very pleasing, but the photograph also plays with your brain a little too. Your eyes are drawn towards the empty eye sockets bulging like empty glass domes on either side of the head - the dark recesses akin to dilated pupils, the scales in the upper portion like partially closed eyelids. The blank central part of the head like a vacant face - all rather sci-fi. This is a very clever concept which has been executed perfectly - bravo!

Simplicity often creates the strongest and most powerful images. This photograph represents a good example of that through the use of a high key approach. By choosing to over expose the background, the photographer has adeptly brought all the attention to the Gannet. The position of the head is unusual, but the symmetry is sublime, that bill anchoring the whole photograph with such a strong central line. The eyes of this species are quite incredible, and most photographers seek to include them as a central part of their compositions. Here, they are a supporting role, but a subtle and vital one. The use of the neck to highlight them is so clever. In complete contrast to the perfect lines, proportions and positioning in the frame of the bird itself, is the chaos of the feathers and vegetation it is holding in its beak - these are the elements that the viewer can come back to again and again and discover something new each time. The flush of colour in the background from another gannet is another nice little surprise.

Macro work with invertebrates was a popular choice in this contest - jumping spiders are very photogenic subjects and these featured heavily. Therefore, it was going to take a special image to grab the attention. Let's start with the technical side - everything is as near-perfect as you could want, the eyes are the central part and in sharp focus, the lighting is subtle and even, the post-processing of the image skilled. But what really makes it stand out from the crowd is the clever composition - the flower provides the perfect frame around the subject which sits centrally in the bottom half of the frame; the darker outer edges of the plant frame the brighter petals which curve inwards towards the dark centre, forming the illusion of a gaping mouth engulfing the spider - the predator becoming the prey almost. It reminds me of a fictional sci-fi creature - fabulous image.

The subtle use of light in this photograph is simply sublime. The rim lighting has revealed so much detail in the fur and outlined these monkeys with such skill. The loss of detail on the bodies and faces simply adds to the image and lets your brain try to fill in the blanks. The contact between all the individuals, and their arrangement in the frame reveal an intimacy within the group you feel privileged to be allowed to enjoy. A great example of using lighting to create an image which both challenges and entertains the viewer.

Making images stand out in competitions is tough - you need that extra element to elevate the photograph above the crowd. This image is a perfect example of one that provides just that. Fungi are amazingly diverse and provide a whole host of photographic opportunities. I really like the close attention to the underside of this group; the composition of the various caps would have been quite difficult to balance, but it has been done so well here. Many would have chosen the stem of the main subject as the main point of focus, but selecting the outer edge of the gills was entirely the right choice here, highlighting those delicious water droplets. The lighting is sublime; so subtle and soft, you can really sense the moistness of the environment. All of this is very accomplished, but there is one little surprise which elevates the image from the great to the sublime. The small spider sheltering from the rain adds that magic element - it contrasts beautifully with the surrounding fungi and offers an extra delight for the viewer to savour. A really delightful image.

Who could not be moved by the appeal of this photograph? There is so much to like about this simple, yet very effective, portrait. Firstly, there is the lovely smooth pastel-toned background which draws all the attention to the animal and compliments the tones of its fur beautifully. Then there is the clever use of shallow depth of field which further narrows the viewer's focus on the eyes, nose and paws, the rest of the animal softly grading away into the background. Perhaps most pleasing of all is the use of the grass stalk as a leading line from the bottom left of the frame to the animal's face, a really nice touch. I find the out of focus vegetation on the left of the frame a little distracting and would have cropped in closer to exclude this element. Also, there is slight motion blur in the paws - a higher ISO would have allowed a faster shutter speed to avoid this.

Of all the woodland scenes entered in this contest, this is the most interesting and accomplished of all. This has the ultimate 'enchanted woodland' feel about it - the areas of light and shadow are well balanced, the path leading the eye through the frame to that little pocket of light in the distance. The boughs of the trees overhead lean over like joists in a roof. There is so much detail in this photograph, it has a magical quality to it that keeps you coming back to it again and again. Personally, I would have cropped out the bright patch of light at the top of the frame which I find distracting, and raised the shadow area on the left a little to reveal a bit more detail.

This is a great example of photography revealing things which you are unlikely to ever see for yourself. When you combine this intrigue with great composition, you have a very powerful image indeed. The thing that strikes you about this photograph immediately is the contrast in colours from the cool blue tones of the water to the warm red tones of the fireworms, and the dark rock they are clinging to. Then there is the detail in the animals themselves; the individual segments, the tiny 'legs' and the interaction between them are all fascinatingly captured. The out of focus rock in the bottom right corner is a little distracting, but that is being ultra picky! I could stare at this photograph for hours and still find new things to discover.

I have seen hundreds of images of Mandrills over the years, the vast majority understandably focusing on the brightly coloured facial features that are the hallmark of this species. To ignore this element and create a black and white portrait is a bold move, but has been achieved so expertly in this photograph. Not only does the viewer immediately recognise the species, but the use of light to sculpt the subject and create an image of such mood and power is exceptional. Black and white photography is all about using shape, form, tone, and texture - taking away the colour should add to the power of the image. There is so much detail in this photograph - surprising to say when most of it is black - it is the simplicity which makes it so strong. Fantastic shot.