New Joiners - Landscapes #839
Chris Saunders

New Joiners - Landscapes #839

January 2025

Crowd and
Expert winner
Entry 22969629
1st
22

This image beautifully captures the rolling hills of a serene landscape bathed in soft, diffused light. The layers of the hills, emphasized by gentle shadows and mist, create a mesmerizing sense of depth and texture. The interplay of light highlights the undulating terrain, while the clusters of trees, including the iconic cypress, add visual interest and a sense of scale. The subdued colour palette, transitioning from warm earthy tones in the foreground to cooler hues in the background, contributes to the tranquil atmosphere.

This is a gorgeous, atmospheric image, but here's a little feedback to elevate it further. The soft pastel tones and the misty ambience work beautifully together, and the yellow flowers breaking through the haze add a lovely pop of contrast. That said, the composition feels a bit top-heavy, with most of the visual interest concentrated toward the upper half of the frame. Perhaps including more of the foreground to emphasize the flowers and create a stronger anchor would enhance the balance.

Entry 22981496
12th
12

This photo captures the beauty of autumn with vibrant, well-saturated colours and a nice leading line from the dirt road. The composition works well, but the sky feels a bit flat compared to the dynamic foreground. Perhaps cropping slightly to focus more on the colourful trees could strengthen the image. Beautifully seasonal!

Entry 22984733
58th
1
Entry 22988793
7th
45

This is a serene and atmospheric shot. The fog blankets the landscape beautifully, creating a soft and dreamy feel. The subtle reflection in the water adds depth and complements the pastel tones of the sky. The composition leads the eye toward the central silhouetted trees, which add a touch of intrigue. However, the foreground detail could be slightly enhanced for better balance against the misty background. Overall, it is a peaceful and evocative image that captures the mood wonderfully.

Entry 22990908
22nd
7

This is a striking composition with an impressive sense of scale. The vibrant greens in the foreground contrast nicely with the muted tones of the rugged mountain, creating depth. The lighting adds a dynamic feel, especially where it highlights sections of the slope. However, the vignette effect feels a bit strong and slightly distracting—it draws attention away from the centre. The sky, while moody, could benefit from a bit more tonal balance to tie it in seamlessly with the rest of the scene. A solid, engaging landscape!

This sunset shot captures a soothing palette of pinks and purples, creating a tranquil mood. The reflection on the water adds a gentle symmetry, balancing the darker silhouettes of trees in the foreground. The layered mountains in the background provide depth, but the image feels slightly soft. Sharpening or a touch of clarity could make the scene crisper, especially along the horizon. The power lines in the mid-ground slightly distract from the natural beauty but are minimal. Overall, it’s a serene composition with stunning colours.

This image of the lighthouse is wonderfully atmospheric, with the warm beacon contrasting beautifully against the cool blues of the sea and sky. The composition is strong, with the lighthouse positioned to draw the eye. The dark rocks and churning waves add drama and texture, giving a sense of the untamed coastline. Some of the shadow areas on the cliffs feel a touch heavy and could benefit from slight lifting to reveal details without losing the moody vibe. Overall, it’s a striking and evocative capture of coastal scenery.

This image beautifully conveys the stillness and cold of a winter landscape. The soft, diffused light enhances the serene mood, and the reflections in the water create a pleasing symmetry. The foreground log adds interest and guides the viewer’s eye into the scene, though it might benefit from being slightly brighter to reveal more texture. The blue tones dominate, giving a calm, cohesive feel, but a touch of warmth in the midtones could provide contrast. Overall, it’s a lovely capture with a soothing, minimalist vibe

Wow, this is a stunner! The vibrant, fiery sunset reflected in the pool is breathtaking and creates an incredible symmetry. The dark foreground elements, like the tree silhouette and the pool edges, frame the scene beautifully without overpowering it. The gradient of colours in the sky is captivating, though ever so slightly desaturating the magenta might enhance the natural feel. The sharp contrast between the serene pool and rugged mountains adds depth and variety. Overall, a striking composition that blends nature and architecture seamlessly.

The crystal-clear reflections in the lake are mesmerizing, and the vibrant mix of autumn foliage creates a wonderful contrast against the deep blues and greens of the water. The clouds add a dynamic element, almost blending into the landscape. Compositionally, it’s balanced with the shoreline guiding the viewer's eye. One suggestion would be to subtly emphasize the foreground to add depth. Overall, this is a gorgeous showcase of nature's brilliance.

100 Images entered

This stunning aerial view captures a vibrant landscape with golden rolling hills leading to a towering, rugged mountain peak. The winding roads carve elegant curves through the terrain, adding a sense of scale and movement. The interplay of light and shadow enhances the textures, with sunlight emphasizing the warm yellows of the foreground while the mountain stands dramatically shaded in the background. The contrast between the lush greens of the forest and the arid golden hills creates visual interest, while the expansive blue sky dotted with clouds completes the composition with a sense of openness and grandeur.

This is a striking shot of a serene lake framed by dramatic mountains. The emerald water contrasts beautifully with the rugged, textured cliffs and soft, moody clouds. The central composition works well, pulling focus straight to the glacier in the background. Enhancing the shadowed areas on the right could balance the lighting while still maintaining the dramatic feel. The colour palette is stunning, and the reflection adds subtle depth to the image. It's a powerful capture with a calm yet commanding atmosphere.

97 Photographers

Entry 22982791
76th
1
Entry 22987855
11th
4
Entry 22990591
50th
3
Entry 22994437
55th
3
Entry 22997130
35th
17

This is a striking astro shot! The silhouette of the tree adds drama and complements the vastness of the starry sky. The Milky Way's detail is well-captured, and the gradient from twilight to full night enhances the depth of the scene. The tree’s composition is great but slightly offsetting it from the center might create more balance. Overall, a beautiful blend of natural elements and celestial beauty!

Entry 22999810
49th
6
Entry 23001481
13th
9

This is a clean and minimalist capture of a snow-capped rock formation that really lets the rugged texture of the cliff take centre stage. The soft blue of the sky contrasts nicely with the warm tones of the rock. However, the composition could be enhanced by either cropping in tighter or including more foreground interest to balance the negative space in the sky. The lighting feels soft and even, which works well for this scene, but adding a bit more drama to the shadows might give the image more depth. Nicely executed overall!

Entry 23002690
85th
Entry 23003495
15th
5
Entry 23003548
41st
3
Entry 23004389
23rd
6

This image has a peaceful vibe, with the winding dirt path. leading your eye through a lush, colourful meadow. The mix of wildflowers and greenery contrasts beautifully with the darker forest backdrop and hints of mountains in the distance. The composition creates a sense of depth and exploration. Consider slightly reducing the vibrancy of the greens and purples to give the scene a more natural feel, as the colours appear a touch oversaturated. Overall, it's an inviting shot that captures the tranquillity of nature.

Entry 23006129
18th
3

Meet the expert judge

6,376 Ratings

Entry 23006068
65th
1

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’.