New Joiners - Landscapes #533

When I saw the thumbnail of this photo, it really stood out to me. There was just something about the tonality of the image that felt instantly calm and peaceful. When I looked at the full photograph, that feeling was confirmed. The reeds in the foreground help to lead the eye to the frozen lake and snowy mountain beyond. The cool tones throughout are just lovely, as is that hint of blue in the sky. I like how the strip of cloud in the sky is mirrored by the ribbon of mist at the base of the mountain. I can almost feel the cold. The composition could have been slightly improved with the exclusion of the rock to the left which vies for attention, but otherwise it's a cracking shot!

Upon first glance, one might be inclined to overlook this image from it's thumbnail, but the bigger picture reveals there's a lot going on in this composition. Often I can be put off by the distortion created by a wide angle but in this case it gives power to those overbearing pine trees and sets the mood for the composition. I like that you've composed to reveal a hint of the sun peaking through, and the flowers in the foreground add balance. The house itself is full of intrigue, hidden amongst the trees, and I find myself wondering who might have resided there. Interesting shot, well executed.

This is super example of astrophotography which can be a difficult genre to work with. The arch of the Milky Way is powerful, and the fact that it's a 6-image panorama just shows your dedication to getting the composition. I'm not sure what the object is on the left hand side, whether it's a sculpture or a bit of machinery, but on first glance it looks like a person with their hands in the air, taking it all in.

As powerful as the Milky Way is in the image, I think there's a more compelling composition that could be achieved with either a crop to the left side or if you'd managed to get closer to the lighthouse. That aside, this is a great example of astrophotography that shows talent and dedication.

I'm a big fan of this iconic Brighton scene and I really feel you've done it justice with this particular image. Although I've seen this shot done many times, I have seen few done as monochrome. As it's a grey day, this really helps to elevate the atmosphere. You've used those pillars in the water to your advantage and they act as great leading lines to the skeleton of the pier beyond. The long exposure gives an ethereal edge to the composition, and I even like the inclusion of the shoreline which helps tie the elements together. A well crafted image, worthy of a high placement.

There's so much going on in this image, with layer upon layer marching backwards. The mountains have a lovely quality to them, with the grey stone matching the colour of the overcast sky. The hint of orange moss in the foreground really sets off the rest of the colours in the image, and the light shafting through the clouds in the background is just delicious. It's a photo that I want to jump into and experience for real and I can only imagine what a sight it was to behold in real life.

Landscape photographey is all about how we use the elements available in our compositions, whether it's natural or manmade, and this is wonderful example of this. The diagonal line created by the pier seems to stretch on out into infinity, framed by the gorgeous warm colours in the sky that are reflecting back on the bridge. This shows that you understand how to create compelling compositions and are able to put that knowledge to good use. Nice work.

I'm a sucker for a good cityscape and this ticks all the boxes. You've got your verticals sorted so the buildings look right, and you've managed to capture a pretty impressive reflection. The sky is the part of the image that's carrying quite a lot of the atmosphere, with those warm hues bouncing off the shiny surfaces of the skyscrapers. The long exposure creates some interest in the sky and adds a sense of movement to the image. A tighter crop to exclude the distracting trees on the left may well make the image a little more impactful, but overall, this shot demonstrates skill and talent, well done!

Gosh, this must have been quite a sight. This really shows the power of nature and you've managed to capture it during the golden hour when the light is low, adding some warm tones to the landscape and trees behind. Because of the contrast in colours, there is a little bit of a blue cast which could be easily adjusted with the white balance option of your favourite editing software. Also, the sky is a little blown out which detracts slightly, but overall this is an impactful image, deserving of being commended.

This is a lovely mountainscape that stood out amongst the rest of the images. The foreground of grey rock punctuated by puddles of sea water really helps to lead the eye into the mountain beyond. The colours of shallows adds to the cool tonality of the image, and the mountain itself, reaching out towards the sea, is something to behold. I would have left a little more space between the top of the mountain and the top of the frame which would give all the elements space to breath rather than being too claustrophobic. I can see why this place would be your father's favourite spot. Thank you for sharing.

I'm struggling to ascertain whether this is a single frame or a digital composite where the lightning has been added after the fact. Either way, this image has a tonne of personality and charm. I love the mood that you've created with the monochrome processing capturing the waterfall in full flow. There's a real sense of drama about the photo that just pulled me straight in. The bolts of lightning add to the drama and intrigue. It's an image that makes me wish you'd written more in the description as it creates more questions than answers. Impactful stuff!

Love the atmosphere in this shot. The wide open road disappearing into the distance with the hint of another vehicle far ahead. The wind turbines, standing stalwart and marching alongside the road, keeping time with the telegraph poles on the other side. The side lighting is delightful, casting shadows across the road, and it's hard not to feel the warmth of the evening in that low, low sun. The colours are a little overly saturated, creating an almost unreal palette, but in a way that adds to the drama of it all.

This is a classy cityscape that really evokes a sense of place. Civil twilight in the city is one of my favourite times to shoot, and you've captured that feeling in this particular image. I like how the mood of the sky is reflected in the blues of the water, and the buildings themselves stand out, especially the one that is lit up in pink on the right, which adds a much needed colour pop to proceedings. You've managed the exposure really well, and there's a real sense of life happening in the frame. Great work.

This image has an almost filmic, cinematic feel to it, as if it could have been shot on a Hasselblad. I absolutely love the colours and feel to the image, as well as the narrative presented via the subject matter. The hint of colour in the distant clouds is delightful and the shallow depth of field helps the eye focus on the trailer and pumpkins. I just wish that you'd composed to include the whole trailer, as without that the image feels a little uncomfortable. Otherwise, a compelling, beautifully lit image.

Sometimes you just have to capture what's in front of you. The beauty of nature in all it's glory, as seen through the eye of a telephoto lens. Picking out vignettes in a wider landscape is one of my favourite things to do when I'm in the mountains, and this reminds me why it's always good to have that reach in the camera bag. The contrast between the sunlit mountain top and the cool, shadow of the lower peaks works really well against that blue sky. It's a landscape image that does what it says on the tin, but still has lots going for it.