Mundane

I am sure there will be quite a few who fail to appreciate this image and wonder what I see in it, but it is just the type of image I was looking for in this contest - something which is un-staged, just happens to be there, and a scene which the majority would pass by without even noticing, let alone photographing it! I like the direct downwards viewpoint, and the composition and framing works very well - there is optimum space around the subject to prevent it looking hemmed in, and the main smashed slate is nicely positioned over to the right, with the stray piece over on the left, somehow balancing the compoition. The colours are natural, with just enough difference between the subject and the background for it to be clear. I am a little undecided about the little dark piece on the upper right, and whether it is something which could have been removed at the scene, or maybe cloned out afterwards, but I suppose it does create another point of interest, if only to try and work out what it is! For me, this was the image I had the strongest reaction to when doing my initial review of the entries, and so feel it deserves the top spot. Congratulations on your winning image.

For me this image demonstrates you have a strong photographic eye, to see a great shot in such an ordinary street scene. The lovely rich dark orangey-brown of the weathered wall was an immediate draw to this shot, as is the composition. I like the positioning of the main elements of the bicycle and bus-stop on the right third line, and the slightly jarring empty gap before the small door over on the left seems to work especially well in this "mundane" themed contest - it gives more of a statement of showing what is there, just as it is, rather than creating a pretty and perfect shot. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

A rather sad scene, an unfortunate reflection on the lack of respect for property shown by some in today's society. It does however make for a great mundane photo! Conversion to black and white has worked well, as it suits the subject, and has been done very successfully, showing a full range of tones from black to white, with good contrasts. The sky has been especially well exposed, as it is considerably brighter than the rest of the scene, but you have managed to retain good cloud detail which does not dominate, but avoids a large blank area within the image. The relatively narrow aperture has enabled focus to be sharp throughout. In this theme, the inclusion of the telgraph wires even adds to the shot. Well done on your top ten placing.

I recall seeing some images a while back from a photographer who produced a body of work on this same subject, and rushing out with camera in hand hoping to capture some creative shots, only to find the local bus shelters looking rather pristine and devoid of any markings and scratches!! You have succeeded here where I didn't, and have captured a creative, abstract image - mundane, but full of interesting shapes and patterns created by the light, the trees through the "glass" and the scratches on the surface. I really like the subtle colouring too, and the square crop works well. Very mundane, but very good too! Lovely image, well done on your top ten placing.

A well seen image, which has made great use of the light and the shadows created by the vertical blinds and the pegs to create an interesting image. It goes to show you do not need to stray far from home to capture a great shot. I did wonder whether I would have preferred the verticals to be straighter, but then decided I like it just the way it is, as it has a casual, natural feel, and echos the randomness of the pegs on the lines outside. I like the subtle variation in colours across the shot, which works well. Very mundane, but a great capture. Well done on your top ten placing. p.s. I think the answer to your question as to whether people can see your shadow from outside in the evening is not just "probably", but "definately"!!

It is not often that you can feel rather pleased with yourself if someone comments on your image and says that you take an excellent mundane photograph, but in this còntest, that becomes a real compliment! I don't know if this shot was staged or as found (I would guess the latter) but for me it sums up some of the best a mundane image should be. It is both unexpected but so completely ordinary at the same time. The central composition works well here, and I like the contrasts, such as between the straight line of the red cord and the random spread of the glove fingers, and the rough texture of the plaster and the smoothness of the pink latex. As always when viewing this type of image, I am always curious as to what people must have been thinking if they saw you taking this photograph, as to most non-photographers (and probably many photographers) the subject would be seen as far removed from photogenic. However, we are talking mundane here, which I think is great - love it! Congratulations on your third place finish.

This image was very close to the top spot. It is an excellent example of the mundane and ordinary, both in the subject matter, and how you have chosen to compose and present the image. Your decision to show the view through the doorway, leaving in the outer walls, really strengthens the shot for me, as I like that we are getting just a glimps into the room, which looks both quite spartan, yet homely too, with the photographs hung on the wall. The colouring of the shot is great, with muted creams, browns and terracotta, creating a very harmonious feel. Excellent image, congratulations on your second place finish.

This is a great image, making excellent use of the harsh sunlight, creating the wonderful strong shadows on the wall. The shadow are so strong it is quite difficult to work out the perspective, which I like, as it makes the image quite abstract. Ordinarily I may have been a little critical of the inclusion of the angled roof edge at the top left, but I think in a theme such as this, it actually adds to the image. An obviously mundane subject, but captured in a way which makes for a super image. Well done on your top ten placing.