Nature

Judging competitions like this can be very hard with the vast amount of images entered. On this occasion, though I pretty much knew my winning shot as soon as I saw it!

This beautiful subtle minimal image with its sumptuous pastel tones stopped me in my tracks as it was so different to anything else entered. The soft textures are very well handled and composition incorporating the faint wave line leading to the shell gives the image a very painterly feel.

This image is certainly one I'd have hanging on my wall, congratulations.

I've tried shooting jellyfish in a local aquarium and failed miserably so I can really appreciate the image which has been achieved here. It gives me the feeling of being deep in the ocean just watching these amazing creatures twist and turn, swirling uncontrollably in the current. The composition is very well considered, the colours are lovely and its the type of image that wouldn't​ look out of place in a gallery.

Now I really like this image and I have still commended it because it's a really nice​ shot. The one thing I am not keen on, however, is the photographers choice of the border and in particular the drop shadow. For me, this only serves as a distraction to what is a lovely image, I would strongly suggest if you do like borders then keep them simple in just white.

Big raging seas in misty conditions are my idea of pure photography heaven, but unfortunately, this image leaves me wanting more! As a documentary image, it works fine, I just wish it portrayed​ the atmosphere of the storm a little better. I'd love to have seen some variations on the composition (if it was possible) and different use of shutter speed, maybe showing some movement in the water.

Having said all that I appreciate it would have been very difficult shooting in a 200kph storm and it might not have been possible to grab other compositions or be creative in such testing conditions.

Wistmans Wood is a truly magical place, especially when the conditions are as good as seen here in this image. This image manages to contain so much detail within a small area but for me, the composition could be a little better, but that's easier said than done in the confined space at Wistmans. I also suspect the photographer had limited time with these conditions as they don't happen too often and can pass quickly.