New Joiners - Landscapes #900

I think that most would overlook this urban landscape, but that would be a mistake on their behalf, as it was an image that really stood out to me amongst this cohort of entries.

I'm a big fan of urban landscapes, of which this is undoubtedly one, but it's also more than that. It is a study in the lines and shapes that make up an image and asks the viewer to stop an consider the uniformity of the manmade against the chaotic backdrop of nature, in this case the clouds in the sky.

The undulation of the roof material leads the eye in the diagonal fashion up towards the three chimneys that sit atop the structure. This is turn is set against a background of clouds making all kinds of shapes.

The monochrome conversion works well, ensuring we are not distracted by the colours and focusing our attention on the highlights and shadows present.

Nicely seen, captured and converted, thank you for sharing.

This is fabulous use of 'human for scale', although it certainly isn't just for scale in this image. For me, photography is all about telling a story, which can be difficult when everything in the frame is static. The inclusion of the boat with the two fisherman tells us plenty about where we are and helps to add useful context.

That alone doesn't make the image, but the way you've positioned the boat against the morning mist drifting across the water, and added in the mountains to the background, ensures that this image also ticks all the boxes when it comes to the landscape as well.

Everything sits nicely in the frame, benefiting from the warm glow of the morning sun, and it was one of those images where I immediately knew it was would be in the top ten.

Nicely seen, captured, composed and edited, thank you for sharing and congratulations on making the top ten.

I rather like that you've gone for a different composition to the traditional view I seen from this part of the world. Most would focus on the bridge and the monument on the other side of the water so it's good to see you think outside the box.

This also demonstrates my constant mantra, that the best camera is the one you have on you, as you took this on an iPhone.

The portrait orientation works well, with the structure on the left of the frame grounding the rest of the composition. I like that you can see the bridge and the first hint of autumn in the trees. The clouds add some texture yet there is enough light around to make things interesting.

Well seen and captured, thank you for sharing.

I really like this image. It's one of those where you have to stop and really take in what you're seeing. For a moment I thought I was looking at snow on the beach, but that felt off because of the greens that suggests this was taken during the summer months.

The white of the sand really works well with the green of the foliage and the blue sky above. I like that you've used the post and the rope as a leading line into the image and I love how the shadows are creating patterns on the sand.

A simple, yet effective landscape, that is helped by your willingness to compose low to the ground. Nicely seen, thanks for sharing.

This image is all about the amazing cloud structures of the incoming weather front.

I like that you've included some of the landscape to create a sense of foreground, looking out towards the water. However, this image is dominated by the clouds. I love the way they're seemingly moving across the sky, threatening and foreboding. The textures are really magic and the light on the left of the frame adds something a little extra to the composition.

Nicely seen and captured, a photo that is all about the weather.

This is a classic landscape image of a location that lends itself to the dramatic light.

You've used all the elements in the frame to powerful effect, with yellow flowers in the bottom left of the frame balancing out the warm colours in the clouds occupying the top right of the image.

The mountain in the background becomes the focal point of the image, partially obscured by the low cloud base, but still visible and impressive.

I like that you've gone for a high shutter speed, capturing the waves breaking on the shore and the light falling on the landscape. You've done well to make sure none of the highlights are blown. All in all this is an impressive image of a gorgeous location, deserved of a place in the top ten. Thank you for sharing.

Light can make or break an images. Some photos can make work with an absence of light, but it is the main component that can change or transform a scene. This can be seen in action in this image. The light that is casting over the landscape from the right of the frame is beautiful, illuminating all the trees and fields in its path.

You've done well to position yourself so you're high up enough to allow us to look down on the scenery and take it all in, from the illuminated foreground to the snowcapped mountains in the distance.

Alas, some of the highlight are blown out where the light is strongest. This distracts a little from the rest of the image, which is a limitation of mobile photography, but other than that there is a plenty to enjoy here. It must have been beautiful to witness, thank you for sharing.

The title of this image is 'On the Doorstep' and when I first looked at it, it brought to mind many of the suburban landscapes that we are surrounded by yet regularly ignore in favour of more impressive landscapes further away.

One thing that I gained from the lockdowns during 2020 and 2021 was to appreciate the landscapes around my home, and it made me think about the nature of beauty and how we perceive it.

This is a lovely example of making to most of what is on your doorstep, and shows with the right composition and light, almost anything can be interesting. You've done well to control the highlights, especially as you're shooting into the sun which is low in the sky. The portrait orientation helps to keep everything tight in the frame and I like how the light is finding its way through the trees in the foreground.

The circular nature of the cirrus clouds complements the straight trees and diagonal lines on the grass. The strong vignette works well and I like that you've leaned into the cool tones during processing.

An intriguing image that shows off your style as a photographer, thank you for sharing.

When I was looking at this image for the first time, there seemed to be something surreal about the light, and then I read your description and realised that that's because this was shot in the Arctic Circle during the midnight sun. To me, this takes the shot from being an average landscape, to something much more intriguing.

I've seen these mountains during the winter when they're covered in snow, so to see them bathed in endless light is fascinating. I like your composition, going for a portrait frame so there is room for a little bit of foreground, the mountains in the mid ground and then the warm glow in the sky.

An intriguing image of an even more interesting natural phenomenon. It must have been extremely surreal to witness, so thank you for sharing your interpretation with us.

This is an impressive scene that is helped by your high-up vantage point, allowing us to look down and out at the mountain range and the fjords below.

I like your composition, using a little bit of the landscape closest to you as the foreground to help lead the eye to the rest of the image. Although the sky is overcast, there is enough atmosphere around to make the scenery work, particularly those wisps of low cloud that are clinging to the mountains, and the snowcapped peaks that seem to merge into the sky.

An impressive view that must have been awesome to witness in person. Thank you for sharing.

This is a bombastic panoramic image that has a surreal feel to it. The colours seem otherworldly, with the deep blue of the mountains bleeding into the warm oranges and pinks in the cloud base above. This is turn contrasts with the silhouette of the islands in the water in the foreground.

There is a graphical feel that lends itself to the surreal nature of the colours, and the panoramic aspect ratio allows each layer to exist independently. My only suggestion would be to crop out the think layer of orange sky at the top of the frame as it isn't big enough to add anything and I find that it pulls my eye away from the the rest of the image. That aside, there is plenty to enjoy here.

Well seen, composed and captured, thank you for sharing.

The lone tree trope is a popular one amongst landscape photographers, as it evokes a sense of thriving and surviving against the odds. The stalwart tree, individual and alone, battered by the elements, overseeing the surrounding landscape like some kid of benign guardian. This is what is evoked by your image, with the tree standing tall against the blue sky.

The colours are bold, dominated by blue and green. I like your framing, but I'd be inclined to crop out the vapour trail right at the top of the frame because it pulls the eye away from the tree and the rest of the image.

That aside, plenty to enjoy here, thank you for sharing.

I love a good cityscape, especially at either end of the day when the light is low and everything becomes a little more magical.

You don't mention what city this is, so that is left to our imaginations, but I do love that you took this as part of your 16th birthday celebrations. It demonstrates that you already have a good eye for this kind of image, one that will only improve if you continue to invest in your photography.

You've done well to ensure the highlights aren't blown out, especially shooting directly into the sun, and the consequence of that is backlit buildings and a real sense of atmosphere.

There is one little detail that makes the image for me and that is the plane flying out of the frame on the left hand side. It just adds a little bit of movement and narrative.

Nicely seen and captured, long may your interest in photography bring you joy. Thanks for sharing.

I see a lot of this location while judging these competitions and it's one of those places that never fails to amaze me. I've yet to have the opportunity to visit, but each time I see another rendition of this marvellous rock formation, it piques my interest further.

I see a lot of images where the sky is blown out so it's nice to see you've not fallen prey to that because the blue adds something and complements the reds and oranges of the rock.

It also means that light is finding its way through the gap, highlighting all kinds of intriguing textures and bringing out amazing colours. I particular like the stream of light near the bottom of the image.

A fascinating natural structure, your photo of which does justice to the beauty of the place. Well seen, composed and captured, thank you for sharing.

The Old Man of Storr is one of those locations that pulls in photographers far and wide and your image is a lovely demonstration of why it's such a point of interest.

The rock structure is fascinating, visible from the surrounding landscape, and acting as a brilliant foreground with the wonderful landscape of Skye in the distance.

You've gone for the classic composition, although I like that you're a little further back than some photographers choose to go as it allows the composition to breathe a little bit and the pathway becomes a leading line up to the Storr.

It's nice to seen the greens of summer, combining with the blue sky above and I like that the low cloud is drifting through in the distance, it helps to separate out the Storr from the rest of the landscape.

A compelling rendition of a fabulous location, thank you for sharing.