New Joiners - Landscapes #728

I absolutely love this image. It's full of narrative and atmosphere. It's one of those image where the light and moody catch the attention and the content of the frame maintains that attention. The characters that fill the foreground, from the animals to the humans, have a surreal feel, especially as none of their faces are visible. They're all facing the mountains in the distance, and in turn that's where our attention settles. The monochrome processing is really lovely and adds to the narrative. A wonderful example of how human and animal elements in the frame can add a notion of magic to an seemingly mundane landscape.

This image has a little bit of everything; a dramatic sky full of atmosphere and colour, a really rather delightful reflection, and that little ribbon of mist floating along the water. You've done well to dampen down the light of the sun breaking through the cloud so it doesn't blow out the highlights and overwhelm the rest of the image. The bend of the river works well compositionally and I like the detail of the yellow field on the hill in the distance. Lovely work.

This is a classic landscape scene that I've definitely seen more than a few times entered into this contest, but this particular take has something a little special that has ensured it's place in my top 10. The composition works well, with the trees acting as a frame on the left and right. This leads the eye into the gorgeous blue and turquoise colours in the the water below. The reflection of those puffy cumulous clouds really helps the tie together the composition but the thing that really sets off this photo for me is the low cloud permeating the right side of the frame creating a scarf around the mountains. It just adds something unique to the scene and elevates it above other renditions. I would recommend coping out some the branches creeping in on the right to ensure there are no distractions, but other than that, this is a marvellous image. Thank you for sharing.

Some images are about the mood they convey and this photo falls into that category. There is a dreamy feel to the processing, aided by the low cloud and mist drifting across the water. I'm trying to work out which body of water this was taken on but the mountains in the distance are too obscured to make a positive ID. For me, the element that makes this image work is the kayak heading into the frame from the right, with the vibrant red and blue clothing contrasting against the calm waters. The kayaker adds scale and gravity to the scene, elevating it above the norm. Nicely seen and framed.

This image is all about the layers in the landscape. I love the way the vegetation in the foreground arches round and frames the house just beyond. The three trees in the middle of the frame mirror the sky scrapers in the distance which are in turn dwarfed by the mountains in the distance. It's a unique perspective on LA that shows not only the human element, but how it co-exists with nature. Really interesting image, thank you so much for sharing.

There seems to be several sites frequented by landscape photographers that have earned the title 'Dragon's Teeth' but I have to say, the textures and rock formations you've captured in this image are completely fascinating although they feel more like dragon's scales than their teeth. Your monochrome processing places emphasis on highlights and shadows, pulling the eye into the patterns running throughout the formation. I like that you've included a little of the sea at the top of the frame to add a little context and there is some satisfying repetition between the textures and colours on the rock versus the sky. A quiet yet impressive image that deserves more than just a glance.

The light on the mountains works well, although there is a haziness to the atmosphere which has reduced the overall contrast of the image. The horizon looks a little wonky and could easy be adjusted in post. I like that you have a whole range of colours and textures in the image, from the sandy colours of the mountains to the blue colour of the water. However, what really stands out for me is the four birds traversing the middle of the composition which adds more interest and scale to the scene.

Beaches at sunset have always been a staple of landscape photographers. The hard horizon works well with those gorgeous pastel tones, glowing with light and the warm colours of dusk. What I like about your image is the low angle. We're at the same level as the pebbles, with their dark sheen contrasting with the colour of the sky. The ratio of sky to land works nicely and all in this a pleasing image that does exactly what it says on the tin. Nice one.

The light that you've captured in this image is compelling. That low sun is catching on the peaks, turning the white snow warm and orange. The same light is catching on the cloud above, making for a very dramatic scene. I'd consider a tighter crop to rid the image of the distracting elements in the bottom left of the scene and ensure all attention remains on those glorious snowy peaks.

This is an image that is full of atmosphere. I love that the fog is drifting through the city during the night, not something that happens particularly regularly, I'm sure. The lights of the city are visible through the fog, including a church spire and some intriguing industrial buildings in the distance. The colour contrast between the deep blue of the night sky and the stark orange of the city lights is the main feature of the composition, and although the artificial lighting is rather sulphuric in colour it helps to highlight the fog and contrast with the night sky.

I really like the light you have captured in this coastal image. It's bringing out all the glorious blue colours in the water and the high shutter speed has captured the waves just as they are about to crash into the beach below. The colour of the water contrasts well with the greenery in the headland. What I really like about this shot is the way that band of low cloud mirrors the headland on the far shore. It really makes the composition work and adds a touch of something magic. Nicely seen, processed and presented.

I like the perspective you've gone for in this image, which ends up giving the image an abstract feel. The textures and patterns caused by the water are fascinating, drawing in the eye and watching how they catch the light. The rest of the background is blurred out and doesn't add much to the overall composition but it does add a sense of scale. I'd be inclined to give the textured water more room in the frame to breathe. Glad it encouraged you to get a professional camera as you clearly have a creative eye.

Talk about an impressive leading line! I really like how you've used the road to lead the eye into the mountains in the distance. Patagonia is on my bucket list and images like this illustrate why. Those snowcapped mountains have incredible character and feel so remote and untouched. The colour in the sky compliments the cool blue tones of the mountains and the water below. Although the light is lovely, shooting directly into the sun has meant that part of the sky is blown out which distracts a little but that being said, it really does add an element of drama. Really nice composition.

This image is all about shadow and light. The silhouettes of the trees in the foreground lead the eye into the reflection of the sunrise in the water, swirling in warm colour, framed by more silhouetted trees behind and hills in the distance. The portrait orientation helps to keep the eye focused and overall this is a pleasing landscape image, thanks for sharing.

I always enjoy images that tell a story which is no easy job when you only have one frame. However, the sunken boat and the dark clouds on the horizon really speaks to the storm that has moved through. The light on the horizon is finding a way through, reflecting in the water filled with reeds. I like that you've given space to the boat and the water in the frame, but also allowed the sky to help maintain the narrative. The formation of the clouds are fascinating and add a little something extra to the composition.