New Joiners - Landscapes #806
Chris Saunders

New Joiners - Landscapes #806

August 2024

This is an impressive scene and a beautiful sky. The file is nicely processed, with contrast and exposure well controlled. The image maybe lacks a link between foreground and the background rocks, though. It is also difficult to get a proper sense of scale.

Entry 21410333
26th
4
Entry 21410597
37th
7

It is really important to frame your landscapes carefully and keep the horizon level. A wonky horizon will spoil an otherwise good photo. If you struggle to get things right in-camera, compose your shots with a little extra space around your subject and then crop and straighten your shots post capture.

Entry 21410732
35th
5
Entry 21412564
31st
1
Entry 21412691
16th
21

I quite like this shot. Its certainly different and eye-catching. The low perspective works well, making the driftwood look more imposing and striking. The conversion to black and white highlights the shape and texture of the wood and overall this is an interesting shot, with an almost a fine-art look.

This is a lovely elevated vista with the temperature inversion creating drama and beauty. My issue with this image is actually a technical one. When you view this image at 100%, you notice that there is really bad fringing around the outline of the hills and mountains. I'm assuming this is a result of aggressive processing - over-sharpening and maybe shadow recovery too?

Entry 21418910
33rd
5

Although overall I find this image a little bit too busy for my taste, I really appreciate the idea behind the shot. The photographer has done really well to identify a great 'frame-within-a-frame' to produce an original take on a well-photographed landmark. Well done for being creative and original.

Crowd
winner
Entry 21424256
1st
14

I'm not an astrophotographer, but I can still appreciate the practical and technical challenges involved in capturing a shot like this. I agree with the photographer - the moon does look like the sun, which does create a bit of visual confusion. But overall it is a nicely processed image - lovely tones, detail and sharpness.

I love a good silhouette! This image is brilliantly simple, bold and graphic. The image is well considered and timed - the pyramids frame the motorcyclist neatly. I wonder if it might be worth reducing the shadow detail in the foreground to simplify the shot even further?

Meet the expert judge

Entry 21426636
44th
6
Entry 21427826
15th
7

This is a striking shot of an impressive landscape. The composition is good, but attention to detail is important. The slither of out of focus rock/wall on the left of the frame is distracting. A slight crop/change of aspect ratio would exclude this and make the composition stronger overall.

Entry 21429589
5th
10
Entry 21443567
25th
11

Shots like this go to show that you don't always need golden light or colourful skies to capture successful and atmospheric landscape shots. The dreary, low contrast conditions really suit this scene. The low cloud and moisture in the air create an attractive level of diffusion. The skeletal tree makes a lovely subject and focal point

100 Images entered

Expert
winner

Great light and conditions can transform an otherwise ordinary scene. In this instance, the rising mist and warm, low sunlight produce lovely contrast and drama. The little group of trees provide a focal point - and I love the rays of light streaking through the branches. A well seen and captured photo.

92 Photographers

Nice frosty conditions and morning light. While I like this image, I do find the branches a bit too inky and dominant - rather than frame the scene, they have become the focal point. In this instance, maybe using a slightly longer focal length (to isolate the distant trees and their shadows) would have been a better option.

Brief

See more contest details

Welcome to Photocrowd’s ‘Landscapes’ contest for New Joiners! These contests are a chance for new members to introduce their photography to the community, and get a taste of how Photocrowd contests work. They can be entered by anyone within their first 28 days of joining Photocrowd. After 100 images have been submitted the contest closes and the Crowd will start rating the images. The Expert Judge will also be judging the images and writing reviews at the same time. All the winners, both Crowd and Expert, will be announced after 3 days of judging. Make sure you also check out our two other New Joiners contests - ‘People’ and ‘Animals’.

10,007 Ratings

Entry 21438421
3rd
12

Gorges like this are often dark and tricky to photograph well. However, the photographer has done well in this instance, recovering sufficient shadow detail without the image looking too false. There are plenty of shapes and lines directing the viewer's eye into the composition to create interest and depth.

Entry 21442344
48th
2

This is a thoughtfully composed and balanced composition, with the footpath leading the viewer's eye into the frame and toward the birch tree. Unfortunately, the highlights are slightly blown in to the top right - and there are a few dust spots visible in the sky that need tidying up too. The midday light is a little harsh. This exact view captured in golden hour light would have far more impact and atmosphere.

I would probably categorise this photo as an environmental portrait opposed to a landscape, but I still think it justifies a top 10 place. Photographers like David Lloyd and Tom Way are well known for this style of fine-art, black and white nature shot. This is nicely captured, simple, and eye-catching photo. There is a dust spot just left of the bush that needs cloning out - don't forget to check your files for 'dust bunnies'!

Entry 21444961
57th
2