Landscapes and Rainbows

I loved this sunny capture because it is an opportunistic moment over a different kind of landscape - a landscape of allotments. I also really liked the way the image is constructed with the use of the overhead cables to provide a visual vanishing point into the rainbow. I also really liked the accidental punctuations of colour around the allotment which either match the sky or accentuate the different shades of green. Another cheerful image and who wouldn't be cheered up by the sudden appearance of a rainbow? And where would we be without cameras on our smartphones? They certainly help us make our own luck. Very well done and thanks for sharing.

I am ignoring my general dislike of digital frames here. I am also ignoring the signature or logo on the image. In my opinion, all entries to photo contests should be anonymous. That's the whole point ... but, in this instance, I was drawn straight into the focal point of the composition before I noticed the signature so I'm letting that go to because I really like this entry. The rainbow is not overstated and it forms part of the whole. There is a seamless blended flow from the light in the storm clouds through to the soft tones of the sea. The breaking light beneath the rainbow illuminates the coastilne but nothing shouts or intrudes on this very tastefully processed landscape. Perfectly captured and a highly commendable Third Place ...

There were a number of images from the Skógafoss waterfalls submitted to this contest but this was my preferred shot because I like the way it captured the dominating scale and the drama of this impressive landscape. I also like the almost matter-of-fact inclusion of the rainbow in the framing because, with the right light and sufficient spray, rainbows come with the territory. A worthy inclusion in my Top Ten.

This is my winner! ...There is something about this cheerful and optimistic composition that immediately makes me think of leprechauns and hobbits. It must be Finian's Rainbow. It's picture perfect and perfectly captured. The image speaks for itself and I love it ... Nothing else to add except congratulations and very well done. I'm skipping away over them hills singing 'How Are Things In Glocca Morra' ....

Most rainbows are captured by accident. Right place, right time ... and what a fortunate place to be when this rainbow framed a full field of poppies, a rich blanket of poppies. I think the shot is well-framed and the balance is just right. Another composition that speaks for itself and a very worthy Second Place ... Well done!

Another great moment, another great capture. Right place, right time but the image still has to be framed and composed, technically accomplished and well executed. Great shot and, again, I love the lucky but perfectly placed house at the water's edge. The highlight and the focal point is right there and the rainbow knits the whole landscape together. Excellent work and another highly commended place in my Top Ten.

Rainbows and deserts are not expected combinations and I was so taken by this composition that, once again, I am ignoring the understated logo ... but please, in future, no more logos. This image would be even better without it because the rainbow is perfectly framed here between the taller cactus plants in the foreground. I also like the way the cactus have been used to give depth of field to this landscape and, once again, the colour tones are just right. This is a very well judged composition. Excellent work ...

There were some very tasteful entries in this contest and this lovely scene is completed by the full arc of the rainbow. Again, when the rainbow draws the composition together like this there is no need to over-dramatise the landscape in post-processing. From the sky all the way through to the foreground tussocks of grass everything blends together perfectly to create this quietly picturesque and peaceful scene. Love it! ... A certainty for my Top Ten from the start. Thank you.