New Joiners - Landscapes #585

The Lofoten Islands is one of the most photogenic places in the world and one I love to visit. It's really nice to see an image of it that isn't wintery. The distinctive shape of the mountain on the right dominates the composition, given scale by the bridge below. The low cloud consumes the peaks and that little hint of light breaking through just adds something else. I feel the composition is a little off, and the effectiveness could be improved with a tighter crop so more of our attention is focused in on the mountain, bridge and shaft of light.

There is a rather ethereal mood that you've captured in this particular image. It can often be a struggle when shooting directly into the sun as there is the danger of flare as well as blown out highlights, but you've managed to balance the overall tones of the image well. The portrait orientation works leading in the eye from the shoreline and the seaweed to the sunset beyond and there's a nice glow.

What drew me to this images the way you've used the surroundings in which you found yourself to frame the mountain peak beyond. It's a clever strategy that in this case works well as the branches swirl round nicely to lead the eye into the mountain in the distance. There is some noise on the branches above which results in some red tinted distortion that distracts a little, but otherwise this works well.

There is so much going on in this photo. It's a real feast for the eyes! I imagine that it was even better to witness in real life. I love the steam rising off the pool, dwarfing the people standing on the walkway. I love the different colours in the pool, from the turquoise blues to the yellows and the burnt oranges. However I think the colours in the image are a little overcooked causing some distortion and noise and might be even more impactful if they weren't quite so saturated. I'd also be inclined to crop the sky out of the top left as it distracts from the main event. Still, there's plenty to like in this image!

This is a dreamy, gorgeous image and a completely different rendition of Canada that is usually captured and shared. This image has a pastoral feel to it, with the soft pastel colours in the sky complimenting the rolling agricultural fields below. The line of mist adds to the atmosphere, as does the autumnal tree on the right. For me however, what makes the image is the horse in the field and the flock of birds above. It provides both a sense of scale and a focal point for the image. Beautifully done.

If photography is predominantly the study of light and how light interacts with the subject matter, then this is a fine example. There is something ethereal about sunlight punching through a canopy of trees, as photographers we are drawn to it and the metaphors it conveys. I like the square composition here, although I would be inclined to have included all of the tree on the left. However, the composition works, focusing on that light and the surrounding foliage. A lovely moment, well captured.

This is an absolute masterclass in composition and using the elements in the frame to great effect. The colours in the image work well together, with the blue hues of the lake complimented by the yellow foliage of the trees giving into autumn. This is contrasted with the grey tones of the shoreline and the mountain. The diagonal line of the trees pulls the eye into the scene, with the hint of snow mirroring the clouds above. The same can be said for the shape of the mountain and the rocky foreground. The tree on the left is the star of the show, and provides some enjoyable interest and flamboyance. Nicely done.

Some images are all about the mood they convey through the conditions that have been captured. Often those images can use those conditions as the most powerful element of the image, but here you've got something extra; the epic nature of the landscape that is entertaining the weather. The rugged mountainscape dominates the scene, consumed by the low cloud and demonstrating the ongoing battle between the landscape and the weather. The light that is catching both the cloud and the mountain is rather lovely, and the inclusion of the dwellings below add to the sense of scale and grandeur. This is well seen and captured. A moment in time that is unlikely to be repeated in quite the same way.

There's something magical about a woodland in winter, especially just after it's snowed and everything is still and quiet. You've captured that atmosphere in this image. I like that you've gone for a portrait orientation which really gives stature to the trees, seemingly towering over the photographer because of the low angle. The composition is a little lacking and I'd have been inclined to shift your position so to have included the whole trunk of a tree on the right to balance out the left. However, woodland photography is always tricky because you're making sense out of what is ostensibly chaos.

What I enjoyed about this image is the contrast between the land and the sky. The monochrome treatment strips the composition back to it's most basic elements, the contrast between the shadows and the highlights. This image reverses what you might expect from such a composition, with the sky muted and the land full of contrast and I think it works well. I like the way the clouds are replicated in the curve of the estuary and how you've given much more space to the sky, again subverting expectations. Nicely done.

On overcast days there is ample opportunities to create monochrome imagery, and this is a fine example of this. The elevation of the image works well as it gives an overview of the beach and the encroachment of the developments that line the shore. It provides a sense fo scale between the humans on the beach and the buildings behind. The sweep of the shoreline creates a natural lead in to the eye and the tonality of the processing gives it a rather timeless feel.

I included the is the top 10 because of it's simplicity and use of negative space. The compositional decisions you've made are interesting, almost making the viewer feel rather uncomfortable because there's so much 'emptiness'. The negative space is interrupted by the tree-lined shore appearing through the fog, almost like a mirage. A compelling image that demands a second look.

There is a lovely balance to this image which demonstrates an understanding of how to create a compelling composition. The 1:1 ratio works well, with the bare trees on the left dominating the scene, disappearing as the fog encroaches. The hint of the frozen lake beneath the snow adds some much needed contrast to the scene and the monochrome tonality strips the image back to it's most basic, and powerful, elements. A tremendous image, full of atmosphere. Gorgeous stuff.

What really stands out about this image is the contrast between all the bold, bright colours. There is the warmth of the oranges in the sky from the sunset and the turquoise blues of the clear water. In addition to this there is the bluey grey colour of the rocks that are partly submerged in the water and on the shoreline, some of which have been warmed by the low sun. The long exposure adds a sense of movement to the narrative. There are some blown highlights which is always a potential outcome when shooting into the sun. Bracketing can help if you feel confident combining images in post but that's a minor distraction in an otherwise powerful image.

This image is just full of atmosphere and mood. I can imagine it was incredible to witness, almost cinematic. You've done well to light the foreground because that lifts the whole composition and contrasts with the darker tones beyond. The mist traversing the field is absolutely gorgeous, illuminated by the giant moon above. I think that cropping out the shed on the right and ensuring the moon is more in the centre of the image would enhance the impact even further. Nicely seen and captured.