New Joiners - Landscapes #885

The image is all about layers. On the bottom we have a layer of grass, with its jagged edges repeated throughout the frame on the far shoreline. Then there is the water that leads us to the shoreline and layer on layer of trees in varying shades of inky blue. This is turn gives way to the pink and orange sky above.

There is a delicacy to the blues with the various shades complementing each other. I like that you've included the sky, but there is a lot of it and it doesn't add a lot to the image. I'd consider cropping tighter to the hills, perhaps even as a 16x10 or 16x9 to see how that looks.

That aside, there is plenty to enjoy here, thank for sharing.

This is unmistakably the Lake District, one of my favourite places to walk and capture imagery. It's not often we see images from Scafell looking back down to what I assume is Wastwater? If so it's nice to see it from that angle.

I like the portrait orientation that means that everything has a place in the frame from the frosty, snowy foreground, to the body of water in the centre, flanked by fells on either side, and the sky above. The highlights in the sky are a little blown out which means we lose some of the detail but that doesn't impact the effectiveness of the image too much.

A beautiful view, thank you for sharing.

I'm a big fan of using telephoto lenses for landscape photography. It means you can push into the heart of a composition and isolate interesting details like you've done in this shot. In a wider rendition, the snow-capped peak might have been overlooked, but by ensuring it's centre-stage, we can appreciate it more.

It helps that the low cloud is swirling around the summit, revealing only the peak and blocking out anything that might distract the eye in the rest of the frame.

You've leaned into the cool tones that gives the image a certain feel and there's just enough negative space around the main element.

Nicely seen and perceived, thanks for sharing.

For me, this image is all about the different layers and how you've arranged them in the frame. There is the colourful tree in the foreground that gives way to the tea plantations behind. That in turn leads the eye to the top third of the frame that shows the hills in the distance, filled with fog and atmosphere.

The little s-curve shaped pathway in the foreground leads the eye into the frame and the bold greens complement the blues in the distance.

The fact you took this on your iPhone really demonstrates the power of mobile technology and I believe the best camera is the one you have on you.

Nicely seen and captured, thank you for sharing.

This is an impressive sunset that you've captured, with the last dying embers of the light just visible before the sun disappears below the horizon.

It's always a bold choice to shoot directly into the sun because you run the risk of blowing out your highlights or, conversely, rendering the image too dark to see the details. You've managed to handle this well and although the highlights in the sun are a little blown out, it's worth it to see that line of light illuminating the shore, catching on the water left by the receding wave.

Because this image has been shot on a phone, the quality isn't great, which is a shame. However, the composition works and the intention and mood shine through, so thank you for sharing.

This is an interesting perspective that makes the most of the elements in the frame to make a compelling image.

The main element of the frame is the crystal blue water and various shades of turquoise, revealing some of the sea below as it gets deeper. That alone wouldn't have been enough to carry the image, so the inclusion of the paddle boarder works well, providing perspective and interest to the frame.

Thanks for sharing.

There is something universal about a good sunset. We all understand why it's beautiful and yet there is something mystical, inherent and unifying about witnessing it.

I like that this image has captured the sunset in all its beauty and situated it in the top third of the frame. The bottom third is filled with rocks that act as a good foreground and in the middle is the water, interrupted by the boat cutting through the waves.

Without the colourful sky, the image would have felt like it lacked something, but with the oranges and yellows filling the clouds, the sky comes alive and adds something special to the frame.

Nicely seen, thanks for sharing.

Not all landscape images have to be these wide vistas, some landscape images can focus in on details and that still counts. In fact, it's refreshing when photographers think outside the box and notice the smaller details.

This is a lovely example of a smaller landscape that really shows how intricate and detailed the natural world is. On first glance it could be the precipice looking over into a canyon below. On closer inspection it is evident that you've found a whole universe in the granite stone and green moss beneath your feet.

The shallow depth of field keeps our attention on the details, and the strong lighting helps to bring out the bright green colour that dominates. The textures and nuances really pull in the eye and asks the viewer to look closer.

Really nicely done, thank you for sharing your unique perspective.

I love these kind of conditions, when the low cloud reaches ground level and consumes the landscape, revealing only parts of it, and giving the whole image a mystical feel.

I like your composition, with the portrait orientation keeping everything tight in the frame. I like that you've included a little bit of path going diagonally through the image, which complements all the straight lines of the trees. The overcast conditions bring out all the greens and greys.

The swirling mist and fog brings the image something extra, an ethereal quality. Well seen, captured and edited, thank you for sharing.

There is an argument that anything beyond a single image moves from photography to digital art, but for me, photography is all about interpretation and creativity should be encouraged. The skill it has taken to capture these images at different apertures, using various techniques, ensures this image stood out among the many others submitted to this contest.

I enjoy the different stages of this image, from the sorrel in the foreground, to the trees in the background, especially with the long exposure/ICM technique adding some interest. However, the part that really makes the image pop is the fungi in the middle. It's the part of the image that draws in the eye and just adds a magical quality to the frame.

The overcast and damp conditions really help, giving the image a fairytale feel and ensuring the tones are even throughout. I especially love the detail of the water droplets on the sorrel and the moss on the forest floor.

An enchanting image that demonstrations your skill in both photography and post-processing. Thanks for sharing.

Something about this puts me in mind of a car or truck commercial. There is something inherently cinematic about the wide open road, surrounded by mountains either side.

It could be the establishing shot of a movie or a commercial with the truck coming in the right of the frame and the red cab complimenting the yellows of the surrounding landscape. This is helped by the panoramic aspect ratio that gives room for the eye to move from left to right along the diagonal line of the road.

I love the atmosphere that's been created by the low cloud creeping over the mountain tops and all in all this image works well. Thank you for sharing!

What is more quintessentially English than a bluebell wood on a spring day? The UK hosts more bluebell woods than the rest of the world combined and every spring us landscape photographers get excited about the carpet of blue and purple that lines the woodland floor.

The hardest part about shooting scenes like this is that woodland can be chaotic, and the lack of uniformity can make good compositions a struggle. You've not ran into that issue in this image, with the trees evenly spread out and thin enough to let some of that light in.

I like how the light is finding its way through the woodland and illuminating both the trees and the bluebells, bringing out their colour. The side light is strong but you've managed it well.

A nice rendition of a beautiful display, thank you for sharing.

This is one of those classic English views, and for good reason. There is something iconic and timeless about a cottage on the edge of a cliff looking over the sea. It helps that those identifiable white cliffs can be seen in the background, undulating into the distance, replicating the colour of the cottage.

The repetition in the shape of the cottage roof is seen in the shape of the cliff and the vantage point from where you've captured this image makes sure that both the cottage and the cliffs are centre stage.

The early morning light really adds something here, especially as it's that thin, winter light that has a certain quality. It can be really tricky shooting into the sun because it's tough to balance stronger highlights with the rest of the tones. However, you've done well here and the image all is all the better for it.

A well seen and captured composition that makes the most of the condition. Well done and thanks for sharing.

What I like about this image is that you've managed to make sense of the chaos. There is a lot going on in the frame, from the foliage in the foreground, to the giant logs that are scattered round, to the rocks and land in the distance.

The weather conditions are far from ideal but they add a moodiness to the scene and the way you've framed the image means we feel as though we're there with you, peaking through the gap in the foliage and taking in the amazing views that are revealed.

The horizon feels a little off which is distracting, but that could easily be fixed in post to make an even more compelling image.

An intriguing scene, thank you for sharing.