New Joiners - Landscapes #735

There is nothing lucky about putting yourself in the right place at the right time. The photographer had clearly worked hard to scout this viewpoint and finally - after much patience and determination - got the 'luck' they deserved. This is an extraordinarily beautiful scene, thoughtfully composed and well-captured. Well done.

The northern lights are an amazing spectacle and this is a beautiful photo. It is not easy shooting in semi-darkness in freezing conditions, but this is a sharp, well-captured shot with great aurora. Its been sensitively processed too - too many northern lights shots are over-processed with strong, false green casts.

I like the repetition of all the lines in this scene, and the pattern they create. The little stilted buildings dotted around the frame add interest and a focal point - and the almost square aspect ratio suits the landscape well. A engaging travel photo.

At first glance, this looks like an impressive astro shot. However, the shooting info doesn't really correspond, with a low ISO being used but a relatively fast shutter - settings you'd expect for a sunny, daytime shot. I'd also be surprised if this was taken at a focal length of 600mm. Without any supporting background story, it is hard to give an opinion on this photo.

This is a well composed and nicely-balanced city scene. However, the bridge isn't perfectly level and the buildings are leaning. This might be due to distortion - or simply that the camera wasn't level when the photographer released the shutter. Thankfully, this is quick and easy to correct in editing.

This is one of those photos that doesn't necessarily jump out at you at first glance, but the longer you look at it the more you enjoy and appreciate the scene. It is thoughtfully composed and I love the layers, depth and soft, subtle light-play. A really interesting and atmospheric scene.

What a beautiful woodland scene and well-captured too. The frame is balanced and the long exposure and water motion adds interest and mood. I find the little slither of mossy rock at the bottom of the frame (just left of centre) distracting. Otherwise, an eye-catching landscape.

Credit to the photographer for spotting this composition - the gap in the marram grasses creates a lovely frame for the lighthouse. Meanwhile, the dark, contrasty processing provides drama. I would be tempted to crop this photo into a square, to reduce the amount of blue sky. From a technical viewpoint, the ISO (and resulting shutter speed) seems excessively and needlessly high, and will generate unnecessary noise.

This is an impactful and disturbing photo. Photography is a powerful medium when it comes to storytelling and conveying conservation messages. This particular contest is not the correct platform for this photo, but it is important to take and share photographs like this to try and trigger change.

This is probably more an environmental portrait than a landscape, but it is a lovely shot regardless. It is bright and seasonal and the shallow depth of field creates a really arty result. However, toward the bottom right corner is a distracting dark circular mark which looks like a spot of cloning gone wrong?

This photo is all about the light. The photographer has captured one of those incredible transient moments when the light brings the landscape alive. The sky is full of interest and drama. It is little too contrasty for my personal taste - I'd probably process this shot slightly less aggressively. But overall, a photo with great depth, drama, and impact.

This is a thoughtfully composed image. The photographer has recognised that the cut straw provides a strong lead-in line, directing the viewer's eye into the shot toward the setting sun. Meanwhile, the silhouetted trees frame the low sun. A lovely, atmospheric rural view.