Interacting with the background

The success of this evocative image relies on the sharp focusing on the shy sister and brother, interacting with the defocused school yard. And what a full story! The framing is fantastic - an eyeball link from each cluster of subjects to another carries us around the frame, taking in each 'chapter' of this pictorial novella.. The black and white treatment declutters the frame - and how else would you appreciate the hair scrunchies? This worthy and original winner broke the mould of most of the entries with its punchy documentary style and with the pathos of its story-telling.

Thank you for sharing this evocative mystery. You've retained detail in the shadows to achieve a story throughout the frame - even in the background there are hints of shapes to keep the eye engaged throughout. We are definitely led through the passage and arrested with fear at the point where the main subject is glued, hands in pockets, weighing up his options.

Brilliant image. Cyclist brilliantly isolated with light, sharp focus and exact positioning in the centre of the base of the triangle. He interacts with the background due to the artistry of the geometry, without which he would just be a lone figure. I think that this was the only entry where geometry was required to fill the brief. Evocative burning, dodging and overall processing.

Excellently executed documentary which fills the brief of the competition originally and effectively. Very good isolation of main subject by means of colour and lighting - one needed the F8 to keep the required detail in the background. The foreground subject leads us in to the frame with his hook and his look (!) and the background leads us in to a murk which suggests an even bigger story. Your sharing this image is much appreciated.

Brilliant. The only minimalistic entry whilst the brief seemed to attract the busiest of images. So subtle. The subject unknowingly interacts with the stark background both with his form and with his shadow, and that interaction in turn relies on the shadow of the tree. The geometry of 'three' is also key. Color match of street and trousers is magical, as is the summery blue /amber toning. Wow! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for sharing this classic image.. The success of this story is the imagined casting of the sun's first rays upon the waters through the energy of the fisherman. His energy contrasts with the weakness of the sun and the framing of the net as a forward throw of the sun is very clever. As is the rule of thirds positioning of the sun in the first place. Exposure is magical - details in shadows and highlights. I love the twinkling spray in front of the fisherman's chest, trailing to the stern of the boat.