New Joiners - Landscapes #921

This is an instantly likeable image and that is partly down to your choices as a photographer.

Many would likely photograph this scene in landscape, rather than portrait, but that would be a mistake, as we would lose the impact of the trees on the left of the frame. Also, some would be inclined to include some of the sky which I think is usually a mistake with woodland shots because it pulls our attention away from the focal point.

Thankfully, you've taken a more creative approach to this image, and the portrait orientation, as well as the tight crop, aid the composition.

I love the light that you've captured, bringing out the vibrant accents in the green moss, as well as the foliage. It's one of those images that has a real depth to it, and it makes me feel like I'm standing in that exact spot.

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

There is a lot going on in this image. We have the river in the foreground, and luscious foliage on either side of the river bank. In the mid ground there is a road that leads the eye to the mountainscape in the distance where the peaks are tall and covered with snow.

It's quite the change in landscape from the top to the bottom of the frame and you've done a great job of representing that. However, the colours are a little off, mostly because the image has a strong blue colourcast. This emphasises the difference between the mountains and the lowlands but also ends up giving the image a surreal quality. I'd consider backing off the blues a little in post to see how that could improve the final edit.

That aside, there is plenty to like here. It must have been quite something to witness so thank you for sharing.

This is one of those images that demands a closer look. Glaciers play such an important role in helping us understand climate change, and it is fascinating to just regard them and their textured surface.

This is one of those landscapes that plays with perspective. It's hard to tell the size of what we're looking at. It could be a microcosm or something on an epic scale. There is no way of telling.

The overcast sky really helps to even out the tones and this is one of those images I could spend some time just looking at and I'm sure it would reveal something new each time. Thank you for sharing.

A lovely image that splits the landscape into two halves; the rolling hills and the blue sky above.

This is a really nice demonstration of how to use low side light to your advantage in a frame. The way the light is cascading through the image and creating light and shadow works well and makes the image. I rather enjoy the detail of the pylon finding a way above the hill line.

Nicely seen and captured, thank you for sharing.

This image reminds me of an Esher painting. There is so much going on yet it all makes sense.

You've done well to compose the image within a portrait orientation as it keeps our attention focused and ensures that we consider the image from bottom to top.

The light is playing a huge part, but it's also how you've used the light, ensuring the low sun is catching on the windmills as well as the other buildings. This is turn is helped by your subtle processing, bringing out some of the warm tones but also balancing them up with the cooler ones.

A masterful image that demonstrates your understanding of composition as well as light. Worthy of a top three spot. Thanks for sharing.

This is a well timed and expertly crafted image that uses all the elements present in the frame to powerful effect.

The image is a series of layers, each more fascinating than the last, moving up through the frame. We have the rock at the bottom of the frame which feeds into the layer of greenery supplied by the trees. This is turn leads to the snow covered peaks in the mid ground and then the most impressive part of the image -- the peak catching warm low light again a blue sky.

An image that does justice to the landscape and demonstrates the majesty that can be found in the outdoors. The framing works well, as does the processing, emphasising the light. Your effort has certainly paid off.

A worthy winner, thank you for sharing.

I always think one of the trickiest asks of landscape photographers is to photograph a single tree in a woodland setting. It can be really difficult to separate the foreground from the background in a woodland because of the inherent chaos. However, you've done a decent job of that here, helped by the impressive shape and stature of the oak tree, twisted and broken, but still surviving.

The detail of the moss, creeping up the trunk, combined with the greenery in the backdrop, works well. The lack of strong light evens out the tones and all in all, you've done a good job of singling out the oak against the woodland. Thanks for sharing.

This is an image that epitomises autumn. The golden richness of the foliage catches the eye immediately, helped by the low sun backlighting the whole scene.

I like that you've included some greenery to contrast with the more autumnal colour, and it's nice to be able to see a bit of the landscape in the distance.

The image feels a little unbalanced due to the space on the right side of the frame and I would consider a 1:1 crop so as to lose the sky at the top of the right side of the frame and make sure our attention stays focused on the delightful autumnal foliage.

That aside, there is plenty to enjoy here. An image that really typifies the season. Thanks for sharing.

This is an iconic location and you've done it justice. The black sands at Vik bring photographers from far and wide and your image shows why that is. There is something primordial about the Icelandic landscape, a bleakness that is inherent.

You've offset the darker mood of this location by capturing a fiery sunset in the sky above. The warm tones hang over the majestic beach, with the iconic sea stacks visible in the distance. The use of long exposure adds an ethereal feel to proceedings, as well as a senes of narrative.

There are a few dust spots that have escaped the processing stage and removing them in post would make the image even more impactful. A powerful rendition of a glorious location, thank you for sharing.

I like what you've done with the framing of this image. It's unusual and demonstrates your willingness to think outside of the box and be creative.

Most would have a proportionate amount of landscape compared to sky but your instinct is to overwhelm the image with sky, making the moon the most prevalent focal point. Of course, this doesn't mean the landscape isn't important. In fact, it plays a huge role, and contains a lot of interest, offsetting the blues with browns.

An intriguing scene that is rendered more interesting by your compositional choices.

This is an epic landscape that really show off the location. I love the way the light is filtering through the mountains and catching on the clouds as well as the landscape to the left of the frame. The fact that the cloud is below the peaks also adds to the atmosphere of the image. The warm light complements the greens of the foliage, and the colours in the sky.

The foreground is a little lacking. I would have taken a few steps forward to avoid the chaos of having all those rocks in the foreground and just concentrated on having the grass. That aide, this is a really impressive scene that must have been beautiful to witness in person. Thanks for sharing.

A classic mountain scene that uses all the elements in the frame to powerful effect.

Much like the lone tree trope, the lone hut plays a similar role in providing a sense of isolation and survival against the elements. Here, it also helps that the colour of the hut compliments the rest of the image.

The hut acts as a sort of de-facto arrow, pointing us towards the mountain in the distance and the valley is an invert of that arrow. The warm tones are balanced out by the wintery peaks of the distant mountain, all against that clear blue sky beyond.

Your choice of portrait orientation works well and keeps everything working in the frame. Well seen and captured, thank you for sharing.

I'm of the opinion that rules were meant to be broken, particularly the rule of thirds, and this image is a good example of why that is.

Sometimes, in fact, often when we're photographing water, it makes much more sense to place the horizon in the middle, particularly if there is a chance of a reflection, as we can see with your image. Adhering to the rule of thirds would mean we lose the impact of that reflection and therefore the image itself would fall flat. Thankfully you understood the assignment, although the horizon is not quite in the middle and on a slight angle. I would straight it up in post for a more effective image, and potentially consider a tighter crop.

I love the cool tones that you've captured, from the colour of the water to the smattering of snow on both the mountain and the trees. The texture in the cloud adds some interest in the sky, and all in all, this works well. Thanks for sharing.

A classic seascape that works with all the elements in the frame to create an atmospheric image. The image is filled with the mood of blue hour with a hint of the day just visible on the left of the frame. The vibrance of the colour in the sky is needed to balance out the blues that occupy the rest of the frame and it acts as the focal point as it is where my eye will always end up.

The use of elongating the exposure time ensures that the foreground is also of interest, with the water moving around the boulders, emphasising their form and elevating their position. The movement in the water gives the image a sense of narrative. We, the viewer are experiencing the tide in real time.

A lovely example of seascape photography that does everything right and deserves a spot in the top three. Thanks for sharing.