New Joiners - Landscapes #834
Chris Saunders

New Joiners - Landscapes #834

January 2025

Your image captures a dramatic and rugged landscape, where a fast-flowing stream carves through rocky terrain under a heavy, brooding sky. The wet stone path to the right leads the eye into the distance, where the muted tones of a misty valley come into view. The earthy reds and greens of the foreground vegetation provide a vivid contrast to the moody, desaturated backdrop, enhancing the sense of depth and atmosphere. The composition effectively balances dynamic energy in the water with the stillness of the surrounding hills, evoking the untamed beauty of nature. Accentuating the textures in the rocks and water further could enhance the immersive quality of the scene.

Entry 22700419
43rd
6
Entry 22702165
12th
10

This image captures a striking scene of a solitary stone tower reflected in still waters under a dramatic, colourful sunset sky. The warm hues of the sunset contrast beautifully with the cooler blue tones of the sky and water, creating a serene and balanced composition. The reflection adds symmetry and depth, enhancing the visual impact of the scene.

The tower stands as a bold focal point, its texture and form juxtaposing the soft, fluid reflections. To further enrich the image, you might consider enhancing the saturation of the sunset tones or sharpening the texture of the tower slightly to make it stand out even more against the tranquil backdrop

Entry 22710304
42nd
3
Entry 22712370
63rd
1
Expert
winner

Your image beautifully conveys a sense of solitude and tranquillity.

The near silhouette of the dock and the trees against the vibrant sunset creates a striking contrast, while the stillness of the water reflects the fiery hues of the sky perfectly. The placement of the sun near the centre, with the bridge leading the eye into the scene, adds depth and perspective. It's a serene composition that effectively captures the quiet beauty of a sunset by the water. Excellent work!

This image captures a tranquil countryside scene with an intriguing balance between the natural landscape and man-made elements. The railway tracks lead the viewer's eye into the distance, while the mist softly veiling the fields adds depth and ethereal quality. The interplay of light on the horizon and the crisp morning atmosphere is beautifully rendered. The bare trees contribute to the mood, framing the composition effectively. A compelling depiction of a fleeting moment in a rural setting.

Entry 22721062
2nd
30

The lone tree on its tiny moss-covered island serves as a captivating focal point, The mirror-like reflection adds symmetry and depth, amplifying the tranquil mood.

The distant trees emerge faintly through the mist, creating layers of visual interest and mystery. The composition is well-balanced, with the foreground reeds grounding the scene and the distant hills providing a subtle, brooding backdrop. The diffused light enhances the ethereal quality of the image, making it a truly evocative piece.

Entry 22722441
17th
7

This striking image captures a jagged mountain peak bathed in soft, golden light well. The framing provided by the overhanging branches in the foreground adds depth and a sense of intimacy, inviting the viewer into the scene. The play of light and shadow across the rocky surface emphasizes the texture and scale of the cliffs, while the hazy background layers of distant ridges add a sense of depth and vastness.

The warm tones of the light filtering through the branches harmoniously balance the cooler, shadowy hues of the cliffs, lending the image a dreamlike quality. The sparse branches in the foreground serve as a subtle reminder of the natural environment, contrasting the massive, rugged mountain formations.

Entry 22724679
91st
1
Entry 22724986
26th
16
Entry 22726169
10th
10

Your black-and-white image beautifully captures the rustic charm of a wooden barn set against the majestic backdrop of snow-capped mountains. The tonal contrast emphasizes the rugged texture of the barn and the stark, towering peaks of the mountains. The addition of barren tree branches in the foreground enhances the composition, framing the scene and creating a layered perspective.

It would be worth just spending a little bit of time tidying up the dark mark in the clouds though, as this will help the image stand out more

This image captures the industrial development against a lush natural landscape. The dam, with its structured lines and utilitarian design, stands out amidst the rolling green hills and dense vegetation. The winding river in the foreground adds a sense of movement and life, connecting the viewer to the environment.

The dramatic overcast sky enhances the mood, creating a sense of scale and emphasizing the interplay between human-made structures and the untamed natural surroundings. The lone grazing animal in the foreground adds a touch of serenity, grounding the scene in a sense of everyday life.

Entry 22727317
19th
6
Entry 22736179
14th
9

This image beautifully captures the essence of a remote road cutting through the striking, arid landscape. The composition is compelling, with the road leading the eye to the horizon, emphasizing both journey and perspective. The warm orange tones of the earth contrast vividly with the clear blue sky, creating a bold and dynamic colour palette.

To enhance this image further, consider increasing the vibrancy slightly to make the warm tones pop even more. You might also see an improvement from experimenting with reducing highlights in the sky to bring out subtle details in the gradient.

Entry 22740623
56th
3

This aerial photograph is a stunning representation of the harmony between sustainability and nature. The wind turbines and solar panels are elegantly framed by the vibrant green farmland, creating a strong narrative of innovation and environmental awareness.

The golden sunlight casts long shadows and adds a warm glow, enhancing the mood and depth of the composition. While the image is visually striking, reducing the lens flare and slightly refining the glare from the sun could bring out more texture and detail in the foreground.

Overall, it’s a compelling and inspiring shot that effectively conveys a message of progress and renewable energy.

Entry 22753950
27th
3
Crowd
winner

This is an awe-inspiring coastal sunset scene with breathtaking use of long exposure. The blurred motion of the water creates a silky effect that contrasts beautifully with the rugged cliffs framing the bay.

The warm golden and orange hues of the sunset blend seamlessly with the dramatic, streaked clouds, giving the image an ethereal and timeless quality. The inclusion of two silhouetted figures on the beach adds a sense of scale and narrative, inviting viewers to connect with the tranquil moment. To enhance the composition further, reducing any visual distractions in the darker areas of the foreground could focus attention more strongly on the scene's central elements.

100 Images entered

97 Photographers

Meet the expert judge

8,577 Ratings

Entry 22730167
22nd
3
Entry 22762080
49th
4

This image captures a peaceful seaside scene with a gentle, nostalgic charm. The curved shoreline draws the eye naturally from the foreground to the distant horizon, while the architecture along the promenade adds a timeless character to the composition. The soft light and muted colours create a relaxed atmosphere, emphasizing the leisurely activities of beachgoers. To further enhance the impact, increasing the clarity of the buildings and adding slight warmth to the overall tone could heighten the inviting feel of the scene. It’s a simple yet evocative image that celebrates the tranquillity of a classic coastal town.

Your image captures the serene mood of a misty morning, with modern row houses receding into the fog. The repetition of triangular roofs creates a rhythmic composition, while the fog softens the details, adding a mysterious, dreamlike quality.

The muted tones and subdued light amplify the quiet and introspective atmosphere of the scene. It’s an evocative depiction of urban architecture blending with nature’s transient conditions. Highlighting foreground details like vegetation or enhancing subtle textures in the buildings could further enrich the visual storytelling.

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’.

Entry 22763816
31st
6

This image presents a stunning coastal vista, with lush green fields descending toward the ocean, creating a striking contrast against the dark blues and greys of the water and sky. The dramatic cloud cover adds depth and a sense of scale to the composition, enhancing the raw, untamed beauty of the scene. The layout of the small village nestled among the fields provides a human touch, grounding the landscape.

To elevate the visual appeal, emphasizing the textures of the green slopes and softening the shadows under the clouds could create a more dynamic balance. This is a breathtaking representation of nature’s grandeur interwoven with rural simplicity.