Inspired by... Salvador Dalí

I spotted this image early on when I was looking for a banner shot for the competition. I really like the idea of the cloud as an umbrella, and there's a lot to admire in the photo. The bleached colours and darkness are all very dream like, and the overall treatment fits the brief well. I do feel the composition could benefit from some other elements to lift the image to top ten, maybe shadow from the figure, but overall a good photograph.

This image is very reminiscent of Dali's "Swans Reflecting Elephants". It may even be the exact location for all I know, as it looks so similar. All that's missing is a couple of swans and of course, some elephants in the reflections. I love the dreamy and serene colours in the sky and reflection, and there is front to back sharpness. I might have been tempted to play with the reflections to give it a more surreal double meaning, but as it stands, this is a worthy top ten image for a photograph inspired by Dali.

A great homage to the painting Archeological Reminiscence of The Angelus by Millet. The technical ability in this shot is impressive, with all the elements blended together seamlessly. I'd be interested to know if the landscape and sky were shot by Dale, and if the figures were hand drawn, as they are perfect for the scene. The post production work is equally impressive, and the general colour work matches in each element. Although a direct pastiche of an actual Dali painting, the technique used is unrivalled. A worthy winner.

"There is only one difference between a madman and me. I am not mad” said Salvador Dalí once, but there has been much speculation about his mental state, and about mental illness and creativity in general. This image expertly portrays the suffering of depression, of feeling uncomfortable in one's skin. The keyhole frame lets us see what goes on behind closed doors, the taboo of depression, how we fail to talk about it, how one suffers in silence. It is a truly great image, and the post production work is top notch.

I chose this image as the banner because I feel the dream like surreal nature of it perfectly summed up what I was hoping to see in the competition. The lighting is fantastic and the photoshop work has been expertly achieved. I love the contrast of colours between the blue sky and the red of the dress, and the cat adds a bizzarre interest. The different elements all have the same direction of light source, which is imperative for making a composite look "natural".

I like the imagery in this and I think the composition is great. It's difficult, however, to see many photographic elements, and I'm not sure what has been painted, and what has been photographed. There are elements of Salvador Dalí, particularly with the elephant, but I would have been tempted to warp some elements, probably the legs, elongating them using the liquify tool. In my opinion, the lighting doesn't entirely work, as the light source can be seen in the background, but the shadows on the elephant and the balloons don't tally. Overall though, a good image.

I really like the colour treatment of this image, which I think adds to it's dream like quality. I've had nightmares like this, where I'm being dragged back from soemthing I really want, or from where I want to get to. I really like the composition and I'm intrigued as to how this was achieved, as the hands look very realistically emerging from the water. Was it staged? Or have they been added in post? It's this intrigue that keeps my attention, and why this image has a desreved place in the top three.

There is a meloncholy and sadness portrayed in this image which I find appealing. The technical elements are all spot on, the sharpness is crisp in the right places and the lighting befitting of the subject. The black and white treatment adds to this sombre feel. I can't help feeling the meaning in the shot is loss and bereavement, and the portrayal of the dark time spent between awareness and sleep is something I was hoping to see i the competition.