This image is all about the interplay between light and dark. In the foreground, we have this imposing, dark, intriguing, hill that stands out against the rest of the image. Behind, we get a glimmer of what the landscape looks like when it's illuminated, and this is in stark contrast to the looming foreground.
The mid ground is filled with rolling hills stacking backwards into the distance, and the image is elevated by the side light that is catching on the tops of the hills and illuminating the foliage.
Above, we have a warm evening sky that contains plenty of texture and elevates the rest of the composition. I like the way you've placed all of the elements in the frame, allowing the landscape to take up 2/3rds and the sky occupying the final third.
I also like the detail of the small dwelling on the right hand side of the image that is catching some of those sun rays, it feels as though that's where my eye always ends up. A classic landscape image that does what it sets out to do. Thank you for sharing.
As you can imagine, I see this particular location many times whilst judging these new joiner contests, but it always impresses me. These locations can be seen as cliched, but they are cliches for a reason, and that is because they are dramatic and beautiful in equal measure.
Your rendition of this particular location certainly does justice to the scenery. Your composition works well with the rocky foreground leading the eye into the stillness of the water below. From there, we have the trees on the right hand side of the image, leading the eyes to the mountains above. The snowcapped peaks are catching some of the low light. Although you don't say whether this is sunrise or sunset, my inclination is towards morning, just because of the stillness of the water, but either way that low light, catching on the snowy peaks, really adds something special to the composition.
The reflection of the mountains in the water and the complimentary blues of the water and the sky really help to make the image work. My only criticism would be that there is a dust spot visible in the top right, which distracts a little bit, but other than that there is plenty to love about this image, and it must've been fantastic to stand where many photographers have stood before and create your own version of this scene. Thank you for sharing.
It's always nice to see a little bit of creativity when judging these contests and this certainly demonstrates that you're willing to think outside of the box.
This is one of those images that leaves me wanting more. I really like how you've framed the wintery scene in the wing mirror of the car and allowed for a little bit of context around the wing mirror. The scene in the mirror looks pretty amazing, with a line of mist and fog giving way to the crisp, snowy mountains above.
An unconventional image that works well due to some intriguing framing and interesting conditions, thank you for sharing.
This is a colourful and dramatic landscape image that uses all the elements in the frame to powerful effect.
Firstly, there is the intriguing dwelling, sitting on the shoreline, that is illuminated by some of the strong side light which is highlighting the red roof tiles. This is in contrast to the splendid show of autumnal colour that's happening behind the dwelling and all the way up the hillside in the distance.
Here, the strong lighting is also playing its part elevating that colour and showing off all of different variations of autumn.
You have wisely decided to break the rule of thirds and place the horizon in the middle, so we really get to enjoy the reflection of both the dwelling and the foliage in the still waters of the lake. The clouds in the sky, which are also reflecting in the water, are adding some much-needed texture, and although the image is a little bit over process to my liking, processing is a personal choice, and you certainly do a great job of pulling out all the colours in the trees and emphasising the season in which this image was taken. An impressive scene, thank you for sharing.
This is a dramatic sunset that has been well captured and presented.
Your creativity is on show through this image and how you've decided to frame all the elements in the photo. The sky, and that dramatic sunset, is taking up the majority of the frame, with the low cloud adding some texture.
However, you allow a slither of landscape to sneak in at the bottom of the frame to ground the composition, and include a silhouetted figure right in the centre of the frame for context and scale. This evokes feelings of solitude and isolation.
The processing enhances the scene and all in all this is an image of which you can feel proud, well done on making the top ten,
Landscape photography is a broad umbrella, and within it there are many genres, including woodland, and this is a lovely example of woodland photography.
The image is elevated by your precise composition and attention to detail. You evoke the ‘power of three’, which is one of those landscape photography tropes that is a cliche for a reason. Odd numbers of elements in the frame just look good together.
You've done well to exclude the sky, because with the overcast conditions, I doubt it would've added much to the composition.
You've managed to capture some really fascinating and evocative conditions with the hoar frost in the background complemented by the last of the autumn colour clinging on to the oak tree. This pattern is repeated behind the trees, but also in the foreground and the colours and textures of both the foliage, the frost and the bark combine to make this image sing. This is turn is elevated by the subtle processing and all in all, this is a fabulous scene and a worthy winner, thank you for sharing.
It's always a pleasure to see a different kind of image in these contests, and this image certainly meets that criteria. Instead of your typical ‘above ground’ scenery, you have treated us to an underwater landscape. Through your camera lens, we get to experience the seabed from the perspective of an underwater creature and look out into the frame, exploring a place where humans rarely go.
This is aided by your composition, where the angle of the camera, low to the ground, so it appears as if we're in the shallow sea grasses experiencing what it might be like to be a fish.
The image is elevated by the atmospheric conditions that you've captured, aided by the light that shafting through the surface of the water and illuminating the grass is below. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue because we can only see so far into the distance, and then the water becomes murkier and obscured. I enjoy the complimentary blues and greens that dominate the image, and I particularly like how the sun is sparkling on the surface of the water.
A unique and interesting perspective, worthy of a top three position. Thank you for sharing.
This is an interesting scene that has a real mysterious vibe.
The dead wood in the foreground becomes the focal point, silhouetted against the fog and the sky, the branches reaching in all different directions. It points towards the background, with Smith Rock looming out of the fog, imposing itself on the surrounding landscape.
I like how the two elements co-exist in the frame. It is a shame that the one branch cuts through the top of the frame as it makes the composition a little uncomfortable, but that might have been the feeling you were going for.
Intriguing image, thanks for sharing.
This is a dramatic image that does a really good job of showing off the mysterious Uluru in all its majesty.
The image is elevated by your choice to shoot towards the end of the day, and catch the warm glow of the setting sun reflecting on the red rock.
The scene is elevated further by the warm tones in the sky above, and the lack of cloud cover, which means all of our attention is fixed on the rock itself.
The deep tones stand in contrast to the dull colour of the woodland in the foreground, and the low light pulls out some of the details in the rock. This is one of those images that begs you to look closer.
It must have been quite an experience to both witness and photograph this, thank you for sharing.
This is a classic Lake District scene that shows off why this part of the world is so loved.
The big sky is catching the colour from the low sun and the cloud base is adding some texture to the sky. The rolling hills and pastoral landscape of the Lakes stretches out from the front of the frame to the back and the sheep in the middle just makes the image work and ties everything together.
It's moments like this that iPhones were made for, and you've done justice to the scene in front of you. Thanks for sharing.
This is a classic landscape image that uses all the elements in the frame, the powerful effect. The composition benefits from a portrait orientation, which means that everything sits nicely in the frame and has a relationship to other elements within the composition.
The rocky outcrop makes for a decent foreground with the stairs, leading up to the building on the clifftop acting as both a leading line and a built-in s-curve. The side light catching on the building is rather lovely and the inclusion of the people enjoying the architecture adds both scale and context to the image.
Although I may be mistaken, I think the sky is probably composited from a different image, just by looking at how bright the light is, and how far along the sunset appears to be in the sky. The bird right at the top of the frame also appears to be large in comparison to the building below. Composite or not, the sunset sky adds some interest to the image, and elevates the mood. This is a nice marrying up of both man-made and natural elements. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations for managing to get two images into the top 10, which isn't something that happens very often, but both images deserve their place.
This image relies more on composition over conditions, but the light really does help to make the image work. The two trees are standing in relationship with each other, splitting the image into two, and also framing the sea in the middle.
You have leaned into the green tones of spring/summer and I can almost free the warmth emitting from the sun.
The pink flowers in the foreground really help to add a splash of colour, complementing the turquoise hues of the sea in the distance. Again, you’ve made the decision not to include too much sky which is a wise one as it keeps our attention on the two trees.
Some images just have a way of conveying a feeling or a sense of what it feels like to be standing where the photographer is stood and this is one of them. Thank you so much for sharing!
Meet the expert judge
99 Photographers
10,399 Ratings
Brief
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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’.
100 Images entered
This is a fabulously atmospheric image that benefits from your high vantage point and demonstrates the power and beauty of nature. It also shows why I love mist and fog so much -- they can turn an otherwise mundane landscape into something altogether different and special.
I like that there is some light that is catching on the fog and the hillside on the left of the frame and I like that the fog is more dense in the foreground but thins out towards the hills in the distance.
This is one of those images where it feels like there are 5 or more little compositions within the bigger composition and it asks the viewer to take a closer look. There is a blue colour cast but that compliments the overwhelming greenery.
Well worth your hike, thanks for sharing.
There is plenty to like about this image, from the warm tones of the wetland to the myriad of trees that are existing on the various parts of the landscape. This is all elevated by the warm morning light that is flooding the scene. illuminating the grasses and the pines.
The golden tones of the landscape complement the cool blues of the water that is in turn still enough to reflect the sky.
Unfortunately the horizon is a little off which means the important parts of the image are on an angle and that is a little distracting. This could be easily be fixed in post which would make this image even more impressive. That aside, there is plenty to enjoy here, thank you for sharing.
There is plenty to love about this landscape image. There is the warm, late autumn colours that seem to invade every corner of the frame. There is the clean crisp light that's flooding the entire image and illuminating those warm autumnal colours. There is the hint of a reflection in the water that covers much of the foreground, and there is the dramatic, imposing mountainscape in the distance, with low cloud drifting below the summits.
This scene is elevated by your composition where you've tried to give each element in the frame a place and show off just how beautiful this landscape was when you captured this image. I like the vibrancy of the colours, and how the oranges complement the blues, you can feel that there is chill in the air and I can also sense that you thoroughly enjoyed standing in front of the scene and capturing this frame.
A lovely rendition of a fantastic location. Thank you for sharing.
