New Joiners - Landscapes #716

This is an intriguing scene and I'm a little disappointed that you haven't provided any details regarding this location and your creative choices with regard to the composition, because it's rather fascinating. I like what you've done with the scene, framing the three jutting rock formations in the circular entrance to the cave. The strong lighting outside contrasts with the darker tones inside the cave, and the pathway leading up the hill acts as a leading line for the eye into the heart of the composition. A really intriguing scene that has been well seen and tastefully processed.

What a morning you've captured in this image. That low laying mist is catching the rising sun perfectly, giving the scene a glorious glow. I don't know if you'd slept in the hammock all night or if it just happened to be there but if you did wake up to this scene, I imagine it was a great way to start the day. The composition mostly works, although it's a shame you've cut off the side of the hammock. If you'd given it some room in the frame it would make the image even more impactful.

This composition here works really well, leading the eye though the valley, following the weave of the road to the urban sprawl in the distance. The overcast sky ensures even tones throughout, and yet the textures of the hillsides are still very visible. The sky has a little bit of a blue colour cast but that doesn't detract from the overall effectiveness of the image too much. Thanks for sharing this lovely view.

This image is all amount the colour green in all it variations. I like your composition choice, using the trees on both the right and the left to frame the lake in the middle which is where the real magic is. The colours of the water are absolutely glorious, containing turquoise but also reflecting the green trees on the far shoreline. Your composition choice makes it feel as though we're looking in on something happening far below. The sailboat gives context and scale to the scene behind and all in this composition works well, thank you for sharing.

I always admire people who have the ability to stay up late enough (or I guess, get up early enough) to capture the stars. Astrophotography is one of those disciplines that requires serious amounts of trial and error, but the results can be astounding. I like that in this rendition you've opted for a rather compressed exposure that ensures you've got some movement in the stars but not too much as to give the scene a surreal feel. The texture and colour of the rock face in the foreground is in direct contrast to the blue tones of the night sky and that sneaking bit of light pollution creeping into the frame. I like the tight composition that gives little context of the surrounding area so our attention is focused on the rock and the stars. Nicely done, thanks for sharing.

This is an image if two halves. In the bottom half there is dark granite and rock, interrupted by the light coloured monastery jutting out from the cliffside. You have to wonder how they even managed to build something so beautiful in somewhere so remote. Certainly a feat of human ingenuity. Above, the second half of the image is a serene scene, either dusk or dawn, but either way the sky is full of pastel colours, devoid of cloud. This light colour palette is in complete contrast to the scene below and makes the image work.

A classic seascape that uses the elements in the frame to powerful effect. The driftwood on the right of the frame is seemingly reaching across into the water, acting as a leading line in the frame. The colour palette throughout the image is neutral and cool, with only the hint of warmth provided by the sun low to the horizon. I like that there is a little bit of movement in the sea adding to the mood, and cloud formations in the sky are delightful, full of texture and drama. My only suggestion would be to have another look at the horizon which appears to be slightly wonky, something which could be easily rectified in post-production. That aside, a powerful scene, well handled.

This image is all about those delightful autumnal colours that dominate the frame and elevate it above the norm. The trees are in various stages of autumn decay and because of that it is a cornucopia of colours from the reds of the trees in the foreground to the yellows and greens behind. The structure on the left adds some much needed texture to the scene. All in, an image that makes me look forward to autumn.

What I enjoyed about this image is the symmetry that you've captured. Not only is there symmetry in the reflection of the mountain, there is also symmetry in the two lines of the trees that dominate the foreground. Your keen eye has picked out the patterns and your decision to use the elements in the frame to create layers in the landscape works well and is satisfying to witness. I like the colour combination between the greens of the trees and the blue hue that dominates the rest of the frame. Nicely seen, captured and processed.

One thing you cannot argue when it comes to drone photography is that it gives us a unique perspective on well documented landscapes. In this image that perspective makes the image. The strong directional lighting pulls out the shape and textures of the headland and illuminates the bright white of the lighthouse. The frothing seas crashing on the headland adds some much needed drama, with the light bringing out some of the turquoise colours of the waves. There's even some interest in the distance with a hint of mist visible. A fabulous angle helped by great light and a thoughtful composition.

For me this image is all about the contrast in colours between the deep greens of the foreground and the blue sky above. The pools in the foreground add some interest leading the eye to the intriguingly shaped mountains in the distance. Above, the dramatic cloud on the left of the image helps to frame the rest of the scene, complimenting the cumulous clouds drifting along the horizon. The fact that you captured this on your phone shows that the best camera is the one you have on you. Nicely done, thanks for sharing.

Often we see large vistas of Stokksnes taking in the grandeur of the whole scene, so it's nice to see a slightly different take. The portrait orientation works well, giving priority to the black sand in the foreground that leads to the granite slopes of the mountain beyond. The moody, overcast sky enhances the overall effect of the frame, with the low cloud catching on the peaks, topping over the composition. Your processing is tasteful, allowing the landscape to do the talking. Nicely done, and a worthy winner. Makes me want to immediately return to Iceland!

If you hadn't pointed out in the description that they was a kangaroo in the distance, I'd be forgiven for thinking it was a human or missing it completely. However, the knowledge that it's there really rather enhances the whole frame. The portrait orientations works well, with the textured pools in the foreground leading the eye into that little figure of the kangaroo beyond. The colour palette of the foreground compliments the blue sky and overall this is an intriguing scene.

Sometimes your phone is the best way of capturing a moment, and what a moment you've captured in this scene. The stormy weather closing in, and the disappearing light catching on the clouds to create the hint of a rainbow. The crashing wave adds to the drama to the scene, and although there is some noise because it's a phone image, that doesn't really effect the atmosphere that you've captured.