Made of Metal

It was the legendary Hungarian photographer Andre Kertesz who in 1918 made what is considered to be the first surrealist photograph entitled 'The Fork' this stunning example carries on that tradition and then some. The attention to detail is wonderful as is the posing of the forks which then just feather their own shadows. This is subtle and very clever. The use of black and white declutters the frame whilst the exposure against a white backdrop is superb. To come up with such an idea really elevates the photographer then having the skill to execute such a difficult image really sets them apart. Well done. Stunning. Would look amazing in a frame on a gallery wall.

This is a wonderful example of how a scene can be elevated by a photographers ability to really make something special out of a potential picture. This photograph has been considered then made. It is not a snap. The deliberate use of black and white really allows the highlighte to shine off the bridge. The movement in the water works well againt the sharpness of the buildings and bridge and softens the scene againt the hard metal structure that is the main point of focus. A classic shot. Well done.

This is a novel interpretation of the competition brief and it stands out for it. This type of domestic photography that really looks at the day to day and banality of many of the things we do has really come to the front in contemporary photography since Stephen Shore did his iconic series 'American Surfaces' The use of black and white really allows the tins and utensils to really shine and showcase the metallic sheen. It's a lovely example of why you dont have to travel far to make great photographs you just need to be open minded and be able to see something amazing from the ordinary. Great capture.

This is a superb example of how to photograph a public sculpture. Everything has been considered from the stunning evening light, The exposure is spot on even getting detail into the foreground which is not easy given the amount of light elsewhere in the scene. The framing and use of a wide angle lens really works well as does the angle the photographer has taken the image. The colors are warm and their is a sense of glow from the night sky and illumination from the Angel of the North itself. Where this picture is really elevated is the man mimicking the same pose whilst illuminated themsleves they become another piece of sculpture but importantly act as a sense of scale to the giant iconic peice. This is a really wonderful image.

This is a simple photograph but done so well it really is elevated and makes me look in awe at the ingenuity of people. The use of black and white really adds to the image and we can focus on the graphic nature of the subject. This has been elevated higher by the use of high contrast within the frame and the lovely grain in the wood behind the complex lock. The star is the lock. How simple, how perfect it works, seen here in all its wonderful unique parts. This is a great almost still life photograph. It's fantastic. Well done.

This is a lovely controlled and well timed photograph. The steel staircase structures work so well in their setting and the photographers use of light really adds that extra element of shadow that the image needs to elevate it above the rest. The three people walking are a key element within the frame and give perspective to the entire scene. The elevated camera position means it looks like we are spying on them or the building. I love the graphic quality which has been aided by the choice to convert to black and white. A classic image of the fabrications of a building.

This is an unusual and unique viewpoint of a well known structure that crosses the river Tyne. The use of black and white adds drama and a surreal element to the scene. It feels solid and replicates the heavy metal structure and bridge. The use of a wide angle lens means everything is sharp uisng a F22 aperture which allows us the viewer to see everything in great detail. It has that feel from a scene from Metropolis by film director Fritz Lang. This is a great photograph. Very imaginative. Very well done.

This is a photograph of contrasts. It would be a wonderful photograph if the rusted shed was not in frame, its inclusion adds an extra dimension. Set against this monochromatic backdrop the shed sits almost in an alien landscape out of sorts with its new environment. The picture is beautifully composed with the winding road and the hills in the background offering a light haze of color. The exposure is perfect and the building is almost like a giant question mark. Why is it there? It's a surreal elememt and makes this picture really stand out. Lovely capture.

The light is lovely. It ;looks like it has been lite with additional lights but I suspect it is just the photographers great ability to spot a fantastic subject matter and wait for the right light to elevate this humble building. The brick work seems at odds to the majestic colourig of the building behind. The rust colors are wonderful and work so well against the deep blue wispy sky. The framing is perfect and in all its a photograph that wants to tell a story. That we will never find out. This is such a powerfully visual photograph. Well done.

This is such a soft and gentle photograph which goes against what the main subject is. The giant public sculpture - The Angel of the North. This heavy metal structure which welcomes visitors to the north of England has been transformed by using an Infrared setting to create this stunning and surreal photograph. It really works because the photographer has softened the view by shooting through trees and a low angle so that these lovely pinks and purples just wash over the entire scene. The use of people at the base act as a scale to the size of the structure. The photographer has created a stunning and unique image of a well documented vista. Imaginative and inventive. Superb.

Symmetry and great composition really make this photograph stand out from the crowd. We get a sense of vastness in this picture and the way the photographer has chosen to frame the structures works so well as does the use of black and white which translates this image into a classic road trip style picture. The tonality is superb and the dark sky really frames the metallic steel silos. The addition of the road and cable post and wires just add to that sense of photographic history. Great image.

This has the feel of a hollywood epic. The image shows the intensity and drama which is played out before our eyes. The deep saturated colors work so well with the warm sunlight masked by the billowing smoke which gives an additional sense of depth. The highlights on the cog at the top of what could be a totem pole is lovely and then the worker in blue overalls is dwarfed by the metal instruments they work with and in. This is an intense photograph that shows the dangers and also beauty of working in a geothermal works. Its a real stunner and is a perfect fit for the competition. I could live with this image on my wall. It's fantastic and a worthy winner

The attention to detail in this photograph is mirrored in the careful attention the metal worker is paying to the process involved in hammering the metallic object they work on. The close up detail really helps the image as does the use of black and white which means we get to see all these amazing tones in the hands, hammer and details in the trouser.The additional spot light to the main area of interest just adds that pop which is so well controlled. A lovely photograph which really is a detail showing a detail. This like the subject is a precise and well controlled photograph. Really well done. It's lovely.

It would have been easy for the photographer to be seduced by the metallic structure and concentrate solely on that but they have realised that to add contrast they have taken a step back and included the top of the red seats. This gives a wonderful additional element and softens the greys of the metal panels and adds that needed pop of colour. It gives extra depth to the photograph and elevates this image from the many others of abstract buildings that are in this competition. A very well constructed photograph.. Great capture..