New Joiners - Landscapes #521

This is one of those images where breaking the rules makes sense. It would be a travesty not to have placed the horizon in the middle and really bring out that marvellous reflection. Although the reflection is what drew me into the image, it's those gorgeous greens, yellows and turquoise tones that kept me enthralled. The side light is bringing out the colour in the trees and the water beautifully. The only thing that detracts is the blown out highlights in the sky, the addition of which would have made the image even more satisfying.

This image is a story of dark and light, evoking imagery of rivalry between the two peaks depicted. The framing places the two mountains in opposition to each other, one covered in snow seemingly facing the darker, more foreboding peak on the right hand side, and appears to tower over it's opponent. The mood is further enhanced by the monochrome conversion which avoids the distractions that colour photography can sometimes bring to a scene. Overall, this demonstrates an understanding of how to create compelling landscape imagery.

There's a lot to like about this image; the snow mountains, the interesting cloud in the sky, and the smattering of trees in the foreground. I like the feeling that's conveyed by the moody editing. The crop is rather extreme and I'd be interested to see more of the mountains and less of the sky to help focus the composition and bring out the best in the scene.

What I love about this image is the complimentary colours that run throughout. Those burnt oranges against the blue sky, permeated by the greens, really draw in the eye. The tree on the right hand side is balanced by the smaller one on the rock jutting upwards into the sky and the twisted trunk adds another element of interest. The hint of cloud in the middle seemingly links the two halves of the image. Overall, an intriguing scene.

This is an intriguing image that pulls the eye into the heart of the scene. The composition works and helps tie together the boats on the left hand side with the hills in the background. The still water helps to elevate the composition further. The saturation is a little too much for my taste and I'd be interested to see you reduce some of the blues in post-production to even out the colour palette. That aside, there's plenty to like here.

I like that this isn't a traditional landscape, yet still uses natural elements to create a compelling composition. There's a satisfying juxtaposition between the urban and natural parts of this scene, and the aspect ratio helps to elevate this. However, for me the real magic of this image lays in the composition. You have deftly used the two trees to encompass the urban scene, creating a tight frame that leads the eye from one side of the image to the other. Additionally the curve of the buildings mirrors in the curve of the wall/hillside. This stood out to me. It would be interesting to see this scene in some low light.

Sometimes people can enhance a landscape image, and this is one of those times. Photography is about conveying emotion and sunsets/sunrises are universal experiences that we understand as a species. This particular sky is a spectacular example and it's clear that those on the shoreline are aware of this. I like that they are kept as silhouettes. I also enjoy the reflection of the sky in the tide pool. It might have enhanced the image further if the image was taken from a lower angle to include both the reflection of the sky and the people in the tide pool. However, overall this is a pleasing, warming image.

This is a super image that demonstrates a knowledge of how to balance out a composition. The looming figure of Mt. Hood is mirrored in the peak of the the roof in the foreground which is satisfying. This is further enhanced by the colour of the roof complimenting the snow on the mountain, and the red of the wall adding the colour pop needed to make the image stand out. I would have liked to have seen some further definition in the sky, but overall this is a very pleasing image.

This image has an emotive feeling to it, with the cold, soft pastel tones of wintery light casting a calming mood across the scene. In juxtaposition to the beautiful sky, two different engines of industry permeate through the scene, demsontrating different ends of the spectrum and echoing the climate crisis. The photograph has a lovely sense of balance to it, with the three turbines on one side and the tanker on the other. The editing is complimentary and overall it's an image that pulls in the viewer.

It can be very difficult to control exposure when shooting into a low sun, but you manage to do this well. The ensuing warm, evening tones are enjoyable to behold, and the pier silhouetted against the sky adds a further point of interest. The image may have benefitted from a 16:9 crop so as to focus more closely on the relationship between the pier and the setting sun, but otherwise it's a pleasing image, well done.

I'm a fan of the dramatic feeling this image conveys, enhanced by the tight, 1:1 crop that demands the viewer fall deep into the scene depicted. I can all but feel the swirling cloud alternating between revealing and obscuring the peaks. The monochrome conversion is a clever choice as it removes the distraction of colour and strips the image back to the basic elements. The use of the telephoto removes the distraction of the sky and compresses the depth of field, and the inclusion of the trees in front adds to the sense of scale. Overall, a very satisfying image.

This image shows a clear understanding of how to create compelling work combining conditions and composition. The foreground leads well into the rocky outcrops, and the side light is delightful at enhancing the character of the landscape. It's evident you have knowledge of not only what to include in the frame, but what to exclude for maximum impact. The sky adds further to the scene, with the fluffy clouds providing interest and the soft colours of the golden hour topping everything off. This does justice to a beautiful area of the UK and is a worthy winner.

This image is a tale of two halves. On the one hand there is a plenty to enjoy about the snowy, sunlit peak against a pale blue sky, but the addition of the foreground with the lone house elevates the entire composition. This is further enhanced by the stillness of the water reflecting the house and providing a sense of scale to the image. The editing suits the cool, wintery mood and I'm left wondering who lives in the house. Excellent composition and compelling mood.

Some images have tonnes of mood and this is one of those. I can feel the wind whipping through and the ease of impending weather. The moody sky enhances this further and the lonely clump of trees gives the images a focal point. The line of the stream and the undulation of the surrounding landscape bring the eye to the trees and create a pleasing composition. I'd be inclined to crop the image so the trees were less in the centre and more towards the left hand side, as well as straightening out the horizon and reducing the blue hue in the sky a little. This aside, I really do love the mood in this shot.