New Joiners - Landscapes #959

There is something cinematic about this frame. Perhaps it's the processing where you've leaned into the warmth, giving the image a surreal, dream-like feel. Perhaps it's the framing, with the majority of the frame consumed by a sail boat on open water, which feels calm and serene. This contrasts with the bottom quarter of the frame which is filled with people enjoying the beach in a chaotic fashion.

I like the movement of the people, particularly the boy with the ball, and how it contrasts with the sail boat. The 1:1 ratio works well and helps to convey the narrative.

A really interesting image, thank you for sharing.

I often talk about how much I enjoy urban landscapes and how they have a place alongside more rural landscape images. This frame is interesting because it contains both rural countryside and also elements of an urban landscape.

The main focal point is the building in the middle of the frame. It's catching the low light and reflecting in the water below. The building is dwarfed by the impressive mountain range in the background. It is also catching the low light, bringing out the warm tones and highlighting the snowcapped peaks.

I love how the two elements, urban and rural, co-exist in the frame and complement each other, helped by the panoramic framing, although I wish you'd included some more of the mountain's reflection at the bottom of the frame.

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

I often see pictures of Norway taken in winter, so it's nice to see a photo that's been taken during the autumn. It demonstrates that Norway can be beautiful at any time of the year.

Your composition works well, with the water leading the eye to the trees on the far shoreline, full of autumnal colour. This in turn leads the eye to mountains in the distance. The low cloud drifting along the slopes of the mountains adds some much needed atmosphere and although there is no direct light, the overcast tones works well.

Well seen, captured and processing, thanks for sharing.

When I think of California, and Big Sur in particular, this is what pops up in my mind. The vast, sweeping coastline with turquoise water foaming up the shoreline and the gorgeous, golden light.

In addition to the usual elements that you might expect in an image of this location, this frame also contains the iconic Californian fog as it encroaches on the shoreline. Even through it's a still image, there is a sense of the fog drifting slowing towards the shore like a threatened it really adds something to the frame.

The bits of foliage at the bottom of the frame are a little distracting and could easily be removed in post for a cleaner composition, but otherwise, this has got a little touch of magic so thank you for sharing.

I'm a huge fan of urban landscapes and believe that they are just as interesting as the more rural, traditional landscapes that you might see entered into a contest such as this one.

This is a really good example of why I find urban landscapes so interesting. The juxtaposition of differing architecture is writ large in this composition, showing off the diversity that can be found in cities.

The composition works well, with portrait orientation keeping us focused on the elements in the frame. I like that you've used the bridge as a leading line into the composition, pulling the eye towards the pointy structure on the right of the frame and ends up as a the main focal point.

The monochrome processing works really well in this instance, stripping the image back to its most basic elements; highlights and shadows.

A fascinating image, thank you for sharing.

This is such an emotive image, one that immediately captured my attention. It is one of those images that makes me wish you've been a bit more verbose when it comes to the description because I'd love to know the circumstances behind this frame.

For me, this is a perfect example of when to include an animal element in a landscape image. Often people make the mistake of making the animal the whole composition and neglect the landscape, but you've got the balance perfect in this image.

I love the dog-like creature in the foreground that appears to be asleep. It really adds something to the frame and the colours of the creature complement the warm tones of the rock formation in the distance. The animal helps to lead the eye to the landscape beyond, where the low light is catching on the trees and hills.

The portrait orientation works well, although I'd have loved it if the dog had been given a bit more room at each side of the frame to make the composition a little more comfortable.

All in all, a wonderful shot, thank you for sharing.

The Dolomites is one of those places that is instantly recognisable.

The iconic landscape contains mountainscapes that loom over the grasslands, imposing themselves on any composition. Here, they are where the eye ends up after moving through the frame. I like that you've used the path as a leading line, taking us through to the huts in the middle of the frame. The greenery of the grass is really lush, and complements the colour of the mountains.

Unfortunately the highlights in the sky are blown, and that detracts a little from the overall effectiveness of this image, but otherwise there is plenty to enjoy here. Thanks for sharing.

I'm a big fan of winter precisely because it means you are able to capture scenery like this. Although the landscape would have merit if it wasn't covered in snow, there is something magical about a white blanket covering the summit and the slopes.

Your composition works well, and is a good demonstration of when to use a telephoto lens. A wide angle would have lacked impact, but zooming in and finding a vignette really works., particularly the tree covered slope in the foreground.

There is some low cloud in this image that adds some atmosphere and elevates the composition. The low sidelight breaking through the cloud and catching on the tops adds some contrast to the frame. I like that you've leaned into the cooler tones and all in all this image works well, thank you for sharing.

This is one of those images that just epitomises summer. I can almost feel the last of the warmth draining from the day as the sun dips below the horizon leaving behind soft peaches and pinks in the sky.

In this frame the colours in the sky are complemented by the greens in the valley and the flash of red from the foliage in the foreground.. The river that bends through the frame helps to focus the eye and the dwelling on the left of the frame adds scale.

The horizon is currently in the middle of the frame which makes the composition feel a little unbalanced. I'd consider cropping out some of the sky at the top of the frame and make the ratio more like 16:9 which will position the horizon in the top third, making the image feel more intentional and satisfying.

Other than that, there is plenty to enjoy here. Thank you so much for sharing.

I like images that subvert the norm and this is one of those. You could have done the traditional thing of placing the horizon two thirds of the way into the frame and adhering to the rule of thirds, but instead you've decided to lean into your creativity and try something different.

Instead of following the rules, you've seized the opportunity to show off this sky as it's the most interesting element in the frame. I like that you've given it centre stage but also included the mountain range to ensure the viewer has some context.

The low light catching on the mountains works well, and I love the soft, pastel colours in the sky.

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

This is an impressive tableau that must have been wonderful to witness in person.

It's also a great example of when an animal element in the frame can enhance the composition. The bison in the foreground really stands out against the rest of the frame. The black coat is in stark contrast to the barren landscape in the foreground and the snowy mountains in the distance.

The cool tones of the mountains complement the warm tones of the grasslands and of course those darker tones of the bison.

The lighting is subtle but enough to bring out the details in the snowy mountains and overall this works really well as a composition, demonstrating how an animal element can make an image more interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I love urban landscapes and there is something about this image that just stood out to me. There is a sense of scale, with the motorway moving through the foreground, filled with traffic, people going about their day. In the distance is an urban sprawl covered in a hazy light.

The portrait orientation works well and keeps everything in its place, but what makes the image work for me is the low sun, partially obscured by the clouds, pushing through and bringing warm tones to the image. There is something cinematic about the image, as if it could be the opening frame of some dystopian sci-fi film.

One of those images that demands a second look, and I wish you'd have provided a description for it so we could have learned a little more about the location as well as your thought process.

That aside there is plenty to enjoy about this image, thank you for sharing

This is my kind of morning. Low mist in the valley and the sun breaking through to illuminate, creating something marvellously atmospheric.

I like your composition, using the fence in the foreground to lead the eye from one side of the image to another. It is silhouetted against the mist, which separates the foreground from the background. This allows the backlit trees to stand out in a way they wouldn't have done if the hills in the distance were visible.

Shooting into the sun can be tricky as the highlights can blow out, something that is evident in this image. However, in this case I wouldn't say it was detrimental to the overall composition and adds to the atmosphere.

Overall, a wonderfully ethereal image that must have been a joy to capture in the moment. Well done on making the top 10!

I'm currently writing this review in the Borrowdale Hotel, just across from Derwentwater so it's fitting that this photo turned up. Derwentwater is one of my favourite places in the Lake District. It just has so much to love about it, from the islands that sit on the water to the fells that surround it. Whenever I'm here I'm always hoping for a morning like the one you've captured in this image. They're rarer than you might imagine, but when everything comes together, it can be magical.

I love the scarf of low cloud that is drifting across the image, highlight some of the islands and obscuring others. The light that is catching on the top of the mist works well. I'd consider cropping the sky a little as it doesn't add a huge amount to the composition and a more 16:9 framing would work better.

That aside, I bet this was an amazing morning to witness, thank you for sharing.

I really like this composition. You've framed the church between two of the trees and made sure it's where our eyes end up after scanning the rest of the frame.

The autumnal colours work well, and you've leaned into that colours range for the rest of the frame. There is a hint of light, and I like the moody skies that sit above the church giving the whole image a dramatic feel. The clouds feel full of rain which adds texture and the foreboding feeling really elevates the composition.

Your description is very generalised and it would have been great to have some details about the actual location as well as some insight into your thought processes around why you chose this location and captured this image during these conditions.

That aside, there is plenty to enjoy about this frame. An intriguing scene that is well seen, captured and processed.

This is the kind of morning that I dream of as a landscape photographer. Unfortunately they are rather rare so it makes it all the more special when you manage to capture one.

This is also a perfect example of the best camera being the one you have on you, and the iPhone has done a great job at capturing the moment.

I love how the light is shafting through the trees. That would have made the image impressive enough, but the inclusion of the dog on the path just adds a little bit of extra magic.

Well seen and captured, thank you for sharing.