Man vs nature

This image immediately stood out due to the quality of the compositional elements and the impactful use of a vertical crop to pull all of the attention to the drama of the scene. If this photo had been shot in the middle of the day, it may well have lost some of the glorious light that is so pleasing. The photographer has done a marvellous job of capturing that the often fractious relationship between manmade structures and the sea, and yet the lighthouse stands stalwart against the aggression of the waves, an act of ultimate defiance. Overall, a splendid, well composed image full of drama.

Aerial images have the power to demonstrate change and destruction across vast swathes of the landscape and this image does this particularly effectively. This seemingly abstract image demonstrates the other, more sinister side to our relationship with nature, and also our dependance upon it. The small settlement in the left hand corner juxtaposes with the small water source on the right, and the rest of the scene is desolate. The photograph does well to fit so much information into a single frame and the composition works particularly well.

Sometimes the most simplest of images are the most effective, and this is a great example of this. The image is mostly consumed by negative space, only interrupted by the figures of 4 individuals making their way across the snow/ice. There is an obvious sense of adventure, and the photographer has composed the image in a way that we follow the adventurers out of the frame, begging the question, where are they going, and what will they discover along the way?

I really like the concept of this image, and it certainly fits with the remit of 'Man vs nature'. The decay of the building demonstrates our precarious relationship with nature and how quickly it can reclaim our so-called safe buildings. I like that this image shows the reclamation from the ground upwards, and there are some complimentary colours. However, there are some parts of this image that could be improved for overall effectiveness. Firstly, with a little editing in lightroom, the verticals could have been straightened, which would be more pleasing to the eye, and the colours appear to be slightly over saturated which ups the contrast and can appear somewhat garish. However, that aside, this is an intriguing image that's been well captured.

There is something really likeable about this image. It encapsulates a moment of action, clearly demonstrating the power of nature which is compounded by the expression of awe and excitement on the gentlemen's face. The black and white processing adds to the drama of the scene and allows for some mystery, as it's not overly clear if they're sheltering from snow or the sea. Overall, this is a well composed and executed image that manages to tell a complete story of man's relationship with nature.

When we imagine man vs nature, it's often on a dramatic scale, but this image is a demonstration that this struggle can be powerfully depicted on a smaller scale, too. Using the simple concept of a weed breaking through decking, the photographer shows a microcosm of a wider conflict, a battle between the two factions of man and nature. The photographer works to compose the image in the small shaft of light, and the processing brings out the scene, skilfully drawing in the eye of the viewer.

This is one of those scenes that has been captured on numerous occasions, with good reason. The vastness of the landscape juxtaposed with the tiny figure on the right hand side alludes to our insignificance as a species against the ancient earth. This image has the added drama of the encroaching weather, further reminding the viewer of nature's unrelenting ability to move from benign to inclement. A well composed image that uses monochrome effectively to enhance the sense of danger and awe.

This is clever image that demonstrates that the photographer has a particularly good eye for a composition. Using the shadow of the winter tree cast across the garish red of the building is particularly effective, however this is enhanced by the staircase winding up the brickwork, as the two mirror each other – the metal structure against the natural shapes of the branches. The bright, low light helps illuminate the scene and the bright paintwork ensures that both the shadow and the staircase stand out. This is a well composed and well seen image.

This is a great example of how the struggle of man vs nature can be demonstrated through the use of a single individual. The evident effort that the climber is using to pull himself up through the ice and the snow invokes the indomitable spirit of explorers who have pushed their luck and their bodies to the extreme in the pursuit of adventure. Shooting from below as the light illuminates the climber and his terrain adds to the compelling atmosphere. This image stands as a reminder that man will struggle against the elements, despite the dangers.

There are few events more breathtaking for a landscape photographer than the drama of a cloud inversion. Here the photographer has been clever enough to compose the image with power station to the right, elevated enough to peak through the cloud, complimenting the surrounded with its steam bellowing into the sky. There is a sense of serenity and vastness encapsulated in the mood of the golden light, and yet just the hint that nature can easily consume the structures we build. Masterfully crafted, this is a compelling image.

This image is full of atmosphere and mystery. The abandoned house has all been consumed by foliage, standing as a reminder that nature would quickly reclaim the places we consider safe and sturdy. The scene is further enhanced by the encroaching, ethereal fog draped over the bare, wintery trees, looming towards the edge of the image and adding to the uneasy sense of decay. Overall, an uncomfortable and skilful image that demonstrates the true power of even the less dramatic parts of nature.

This image does an incredible job of demonstrating the juxtaposition of the vastness of nature in comparison to the insignificance of the fisherman and his boat. The vertical composition works well to bring out the expanse of the iceberg, and the tonality of the scene leans towards the cooler hues which enhances the chilly feel of the image. Overall, this is a well composed image that eludes to a wider context of our destruction and dependance on the ocean in all its forms.

There is merit in this image, and it's certainly relevant to the theme. The photographer has captured the decay and destruction well, but with a few adjustments the overall effectiveness of the image could have been improved. For instance, it would have been great to see the wider context of the hut; although we have some foliage, it's hard to grasp the narrative. Is the hut isolated? One of many? Situating the hut within a larger composition would have helped to give that context. Conversely, the lighting is fairly harsh, and might have been more appealing when the sun was lower in the sky to bring in some softer, warm hues and add a little atmosphere. Overall, there is certainly potential in this image, and it's certainly on topic.

This image does a good job at telling a story, with the fisherman running from a impending wave, and demonstrates the precarious relationship we have we the ocean that oscillates between fear and dependance. Using a shallow depth of field and focusing on the human element helps to add an enhanced sense of drama, which is further helped by the fact we cannot see the expression on the face of the fisherman. The image might have worked better with some attention to the compositional elements. For instance, a crop so we don't see the sky to give a feeling of claustrophobia, and the possibility of cropping so the fisherman was further to the edge rather than the centre where he just seems somewhat out of place. However, overall, this is a tense image that works as a narrative.

I like the concept of this image, with the individual shining his light into the night sky, leading our eyes up to the heavens and the galaxies above. It demonstrates our relationship with the unknown and our ongoing thirst to understand. This image has potential, but some of the elements could be improved. For instance the foreground is minimal, but actually quite distracting, and because the figure is leaning on a sign, it's hard to tell what is being shown at first. Perhaps elevating the figure and coming from a different angle would increase the effectiveness and help remove some more distracting elements.

Part of the human condition is our occasional pull towards danger, especially when it comes to the ocean. We underestimate its awesome power and yet know that getting just close enough can be thrilling. This image encapsulates this sentiment as the two figures rush along the sea wall, framed behind by the vastness of the ocean, and the wide horizon. This demonstration of our precarious relationship with nature is well composed, using the minimum amount of elements, and the monochrome processing ensures that there is an appealing tonal simplicity to the image.

There is much to like about this image. The monochrome processing gives it an appealing atmosphere and the faint hint of the wind turbines in the background demonstrate man's attempt to harness the power of nature. The positioning of the sculptures towards one side of the image so we can be lead into their position also works well. However, the furthest sculpture and its positioning is somewhat distracting, pulling the eye away from where it should be focusing. Taking a few steps either side of the closest sculpture could have solved this problem, so the furthest one was in the middle of the other two and our eyes would naturally move from one to the others. However, for the most part this is a pleasing image.

Iceland is full of natural wonders that make you stand back and ponder your place in the world. The many waterfalls are particularly dramatic and offer up opportunities to juxtapose the torrents of water against the small, almost nondescript people below. This image is particularly compelling because it has managed to combine the technique of long exposure and keep the lone figure sharp. Often colour select is a technique that can go awry, but in this case it works well to bring out the figure who would have otherwise disappeared against the backdrop of the scenery. Well composed and executed image.