New Joiners - Landscapes #829
Chris Saunders

New Joiners - Landscapes #829

December 2024

Expert
winner

Your photograph offers a stunning perspective under a pier, leading the viewer's eye through its symmetrical structure toward the vibrant sunset on the horizon. The dynamic interplay between the crashing waves and the stillness of the pier creates a captivating contrast. The sunset’s radiant oranges and yellows merge beautifully with the deep blues of the ocean and sky, while the pier's weathered, rugged pillars add a sense of timelessness and grounding. The long exposure effect on the water enhances the sense of motion, making this an evocative and visually engaging composition.

This image captures the lively atmosphere of a fairground against a backdrop of a vibrant sunset. The Ferris wheel on the left adds a nostalgic and playful element with its colourful lights, while the towering thrill ride to the right creates a sense of excitement and height. The warm tones of the sunset blend seamlessly with the silhouettes of the attractions and the fairground trees, creating a visually dynamic composition. The rides' contrasting vertical and circular shapes enhance the visual appeal, making this photograph a delightful portrayal of energy and evening serenity.

Entry 22442299
78th
4

Your black-and-white photograph beautifully captures the iconic suspension bridge against the night sky. The dramatic lighting on the cables and the structure emphasizes the architectural elegance of the bridge, while the reflections on the water add texture and depth to the image. The foreground element—possibly a mooring bollard—anchors the composition and provides a sense of scale.

The inclusion of the city lights in the background subtly suggests the urban context without overwhelming the primary subject, adding to the charm of the work.

Your image has a mysterious atmosphere, with the thick fog creating a sense of depth and isolation. The silhouettes of the trees, standing tall and stark against the misty backdrop, enhance the ethereal mood. The soft light filtering through the fog highlights subtle textures in the bark and the delicate outlines of the branches. The composition draws the viewer's eye along the barely visible path, inviting them to imagine what lies beyond. This photograph beautifully captures the quiet beauty of a foggy woodland scene.

Your image captures the tranquil beauty of a sunrise over rolling hills. The soft orange hues of the sky contrast beautifully with the darker silhouette of the hills in the foreground. The layers of mist resting in the valleys add depth and dimension to the scene, creating a dreamy and peaceful atmosphere. The placement of the sun just above the horizon draws the viewer’s attention and anchors the composition effectively.

Entry 22448389
4th
25

Your image captures a breathtaking scene of a mist-covered valley surrounded by mountain peaks. The rolling fog creates a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere, while the soft morning or evening light bathes the landscape in warm tones. The small chapel or structure atop the hill adds a focal point, giving the composition a sense of scale and story. The distant mountains in the background provide depth and contrast to the softer, cloud-like foreground. This photo beautifully showcases the interplay of light, shadow, and natural elements, evoking a sense of peace and wonder.

The vibrant flames and smoke on the horizon create a stark contrast with the dry golden-brown grass, emphasizing the intensity of the fire. The cranes, calm yet seemingly watchful, add life and movement to the otherwise desolate scene. The composition effectively conveys the delicate balance of nature and wildlife in environments susceptible to fire. It's a powerful visual narrative highlighting resilience and the relationship between wildlife and their rapidly changing habitat.

Entry 22457314
44th
6
Entry 22459659
21st
10
Entry 22459681
11th
11
Entry 22461127
12th
20
Entry 22470941
27th
13

This image is a stunning representation of the play between man-made structures and the natural universe. The windmill in the foreground provides a striking silhouette against the vivid starry sky. The long exposure captures the rotation of the windmill blades, resulting in a circular motion blur that adds dynamism to the composition.

I love the way the Milky Way stretches across the scene, its details beautifully rendered in the clear night sky. The colours, ranging from deep blues to purples, enhance the ethereal quality of the image.

Entry 22471287
18th
10

Your image captures a serene mountain setting, framing a rustic shelter in the midst of a captivating, layered landscape. The composition is beautifully enhanced by the dead tree branches that arch across the frame, drawing the viewer's eye inward and creating a natural vignette.

The background showcases rolling hills bathed in soft, diffused light, adding depth and a sense of endlessness to the scene. The shelter, with its stone and wooden structure, harmonizes perfectly with the natural surroundings, providing a focal point that adds character to the image.

The use of light is excellent; the muted tones and gentle contrasts evoke a peaceful, contemplative mood. The inclusion of foreground foliage adds texture and warmth, balancing the cooler tones of the distant mountains.

This scene captures the serene beauty of the sea, featuring a series of rocky outcrops emerging from the water and extending toward the horizon. The calm, soft golden light from the setting or rising sun casts a warm glow on the distant rocks, providing a lovely contrast to the cool blues of the sea.

The overall tonal balance is pleasing, with the light sky merging smoothly into the distant horizon. This photo successfully captures the understated charm of a coastal environment, offering a peaceful and contemplative visual experience.

This is a stunning capture of a glacial stream cascading through a lush, green forest with the dramatic backdrop of a glacier nestled between steep, rocky cliffs. The composition is strong, with the rushing water in the foreground leading the viewer's eye up to the glacier at the centre of the image, framed by dense greenery and rugged mountains.

The vibrant blue and white tones of the water contrast beautifully with the deep greens of the trees and the muted greys of the rocks. The mist or low-hanging clouds add an ethereal, almost mystical quality to the scene, emphasizing the raw, untamed beauty of the landscape.

Entry 22477974
33rd
1

This beautifully captures the turn of autumn with its vibrant display of foliage transitioning from lush green to fiery oranges and yellows. The scene is further brought to life by the presence of a herd of deer grazing peacefully in the meadow, adding a dynamic and tranquil element to the composition.

The balance between the natural elements—the trees, grass, and wildlife—is well achieved, making this a serene and quintessentially autumnal capture. This image would work wonderfully in a collection celebrating the beauty of nature through the changing seasons. Excellent work!

Entry 22479141
84th
2
Entry 22482875
91st
2

Your image captures the timeless grandeur of the landscape with striking rock formations and dynamic lighting. The monochromatic treatment accentuates the textures and shapes of the towering cliffs while also enhancing the drama of the shadows cast across the rugged terrain.

The sky plays a significant role in the composition, with soft, wispy clouds adding a sense of scale and depth to the scene. The interplay of light and shadow brings out the intricate details in the rock, drawing the viewer’s attention to the natural sculptures that dominate the frame.

Entry 22485063
36th
2

Your work captures the atmosphere of a tranquil lake surrounded by gentle hills and trees. The composition stands out with its use of reflection, creating a near-perfect mirror image of the trees and sky in the water, adding symmetry and balance. The colours are rich yet natural, with the blue tones of the sky and water contrasting harmoniously with the earthy hues of the trees and distant hills.

The placement of the trees on a small island draws the eye to the centre of the frame, creating a strong focal point. The scattered clouds above and their reflection below add a dynamic element, giving the scene depth and dimension. The gentle light enhances the textures in the foliage and brings out the subtle details in the hills and sky.

Crowd
winner

Meet the expert judge

100 Images entered

93 Photographers

Entry 22489178
26th
14
Entry 22489409
48th
6
Entry 22489508
17th
7
Entry 22490989
70th
2
Entry 22491470
50th
3
Entry 22491493
41st
6

This image captures the beauty of a lovely sunset, with a vibrant gradient of warm hues in the sky that transition from deep orange to soft yellow. The silhouetted mountain range adds a sense of depth and anchors the composition, while the palm trees and faint details of the shoreline provide a tropical context.

The calm, expansive ocean reflects the cool tones of the twilight sky, creating a serene and peaceful ambience.

Entry 22491710
51st
6

9,259 Ratings

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’.