New Joiners - Landscapes #617

Astrophotography has to be one of the hardest sub-genre of landscape photography. You're operating in low light and working with your knowledge of the lens and focal length to ensure that everything is sharp. Then you have to work out the length of the exposure so has not to blur the stars but capture the Milky Way. You've done a grand job to balance all those elements. The light emanating from the the statue of the car pointing up to the sky is a nice touch!

This one of the most famous landscape scenes in all of Iceland, and quite possible one of the most recognisable locations in the whole of the world, and for good reason. The iconic shape of the 'sorting hat' paired with the waterfalls on the left were absolutely made for photography. I like your composition here, although (and I could be wrong) but it appears you've replaced the sky because the lighting on the mountain doesn't match the sky. There's no harm is replacing a sky, but it can sometimes make the whole image look a little unreal and your image suffers from that. However, experimentation should always be encouraged.

This image just embodies winter and demonstrates compositional talent. It's hard not to perceive this image and feel the chill in the air, yet as you describe, there is a feeling that the snow is melting, that winter is losing it's grip. The South Island of NZ is one of my favourite places in the world. There is a clarity to the light there that is evident in this image. The snow capped mountains and the snow laden trees contrast well with the light and blue sky. The reflection is glass-clear, completely perfect and using the tree on the right of the frame leads the eye into that reflection and pristine scene beyond. Nicely seen and captured!

Some images are all about the moment, when the different elements in the frame pull together to create something wonderful. The boat in the middle of the frame, traversing the waves is what pulls in the attention with it's silhouetted darkness. Above, the sky is creating a dramatic show, with the low sun breaking through the cloud and covering the frame with warm light. It's an image that's all about movement and narrative, with the light catching off the waves and adding a sense of dynamism.

There's something about the landscape of Yosemite that makes it easily recognisable. I like this angle and composition that you've gone for, pulling back from the scene but also homing in on that waterfall. The exclusion of the sky and the tight framing works well. I would have been inclined to have given the tree on the left just a little bit more room as it works well to balance out the lighter tones on the right. Sometimes it's good to work with one focal length, as it makes us move and consider, promoting creativity. Thanks for sharing.

This image is all about the play between the light and shadows traversing through the composition. Where the light is falling it gives the impression of liquid gold, molten and flowing through the frame from right to left. This is in stark contrast with the darker, shadowy areas, where the texture is still evident but the lack of light helps to elevate the rest of the scene. The moody sky works well with the shape of the cloud mirroring the shape of the land. Majestic image.

Who can resist the powerful of a lone tree? Especially when that lone tree appears to be in the middle of the bay fighting again the waves and power of the sea. From your description you were also standing in the waves, emulating the same struggle as the tree, and the image you've captured is testament to your dedication. The sense of movement in the waves adds an element of narrative to the scene, and the dramatic morning sky adds some much needed colour. It can often be a struggle to shoot towards the sun because it blows out easily, which has happened here, and that big bright blob of light is a little distracting. That aside, there's plenty to really enjoy about this image and it's one of which to be proud.

I really like what you've done here, accentuating the tunnel and using that as a composition tool to funnel the viewer through to the scene beyond. The processing decision to darken the sides of the tunnel works well to avoid any distraction and the position of the train track dead centre makes the composition work. The eye cannot help but follow the line to the hint of autumnal colour beyond. Nicely done.

All the elements in this image work well together and the scene is given a little something extra by the low light and clouds. The way you've composed the image works well, using the diagonal line of the red roof as a lead into the vertical lines of the buildings beyond. These are in turn balanced out by the buildings on the right of the frame. Everything just has it's place in the composition which is satisfying.

This is a fine example of why the best camera is the one you have on you, and demonstrable evidence of how phone cameras have increased in quality over the last decade. Camera aside, the image also works because of the composition and how the path on the bottom right leads you through the image to the formations beyond. The light catching on the left side is well balanced and the processing has a fresh feel to it. Lovely stuff, thank you for sharing.

The light in this image works well flooding in from the right side and illuminating the two prominent trees on the shoreline with their late spring/early summer foliage. The light is also picking out the detritus on the surface on the water. All those greens and yellows are offset by the blue/grey of the stone boathouse which is reflecting nicely in the water. The tight crop, eliminating the sky works well and focusses the attention.

This is an intriguing image that leaves me with more questions than answers. I'm intrigued to the location and why/how this singular tree is existing on the barren sand/earth. There is a lovely symmetry between the colour of the land and the colour of the foliage and this contrasts well with the greys and blues of the sky and the sea. The vignette that has been deployed helps to focus attention on the tree although the image may benefit from a 1:1 crop.

As per your caption, this is a rather peaceful image. The descending sun is caught behind that cloud and giving off rays into the evening sky, covering everything in the scene with a warm glow, gently reflecting in the water. The person on the kayak adds a little bit of interest and scale. There's a bit of white in the bottom right that is distracting and could be easily cropped out. That aside, a compelling image.

This is a highly stylised, yet compelling monochrome image that may not be to everyone's taste, but I really enjoyed the processing and the end results. The mountain rises out the middle of the frame, the shadows deep and the highlights bright. The lenticular cloud that sits atop the mountain peak is particularly pleasing, as are the details in the snow-capped peak itself. The panoramic crop ensures that attention is pulled directly in the heart of the image and all in, this is certainly a feast for the eyes.