Made from Plastic

I do not often tend to favour photos of toys or little models, but this for me is an exception, due to the high standard of the image. Perfect for the theme, this is a great setup of the scene, with the composition and framing somehow managing to portray action, even though we know the figures are static. I am uncertain how you have created the background and "ice", but it has been done very realistically. Focus and lighting are spot on too. Congratulations of your win.

Your choice of subject is very simple, but the image conveys to me a lovely sense of summer and the enjoyment of outdoor dining. The fairly wide aperture suits the scene well, as the main subject is in sharp focus, and the background thrown adequately out of focus so as not to distract, but still be recognisable. The colour contrasts between the pink and green bring brightness to the shot, and for me your angle of view, on a level with the subject, has worked really well. Great work, well done.

I really like the simplicity of this image and it caught my attention when I first saw it. The colours contrast beautifully, with the colours of the boat and float echoed in the rope. Also, I especially like how you have retained the lop-sided angle of the float and not looked for perfection!. The details in the knots adds interest to the shot too. Well done on your top ten placing.

Your capture of the vivid colours againt the dark floor and walls is what stood out for me in this image. The exposure of the shot has been well handled, as we can see detail in the dark areas, yet the highlights on the shiny plastic seats are not over-exposed or blown out. When presented with a scene such as this, it is difficult to know whether to shoot head-on, or at an angle as you have done. Whichever may be better, this works for me. Well done.

This image shows a subject which is currently very topical, but in a way which has created a rather beautiful abstract of colours and shapes, especially when viewed from a distance. The plastic bottles look to be backlit, so the light shining through them has brought a lovely quality to the image and I really like the inclusion of the single brown plastic bottle in the composition to add a contrast. Aside from an image of abstract art, as a documentary image, the shot becomes especially poignant through the inclusion of the bottle with the label "earth", which you use as the title for you image, and speaks volumes. Fabulous image on many levels. Well done on your second place.

There were a number of images of plastic chairs entered into this contest, but for me this one stood out. The longer lens has compressed the perspective, which adds to the abstract feel of the shot. What has worked especially well for me is the bold shadows on the backs of the seats, which adds another set of shapes and gives strong contrast to the scene, making the most of the bright sunshine, as they would have not been present on an overcast day. I also like the soft colouring, with no over-saturation of the colours, which may have been a temptation for some. Well done on your third place finish.

This is a rather mundane subject of hundreds of painted cable ties forming a fence, which has been well seen and very well photographed. Your composition shows us just enough to appreciate the actual subject, but is close enough to create a colourful abstract. Exposure is good, as is your focus, with the colours bright and bold. Well done on your top ten placing.

There were a fair number of images showing buttons entered into this contest, but this one stood out for me, I think in part due to the bright colour clash of the pink, blue and yellow. Due to your processing treatment used however, these do not overpower or become garish. Depth of field and position of your focus point suits the scene, as we have a reasonable proportion of the scene in sharp focus, and the out of focus areas do not become a distraction, as can sometimes happen. Great abstract image, full of colour. Well done.

Not an image I would usually go for, but something attracted me to this shot. Presumably someone will be missing their toy, but it was a great find from a photographic point of view, with the contrast of colours between the red hair and the grass and the juxtaposition of the discarded doll on the grassy sand. Well composed, and good viewpoint, makes the most of this little scene which interrupted your coastal wildlife shoot! Well done on your top ten placing.