New Joiners - Landscapes #962

This is an impressive scene that contains the kind of conditions that landscape photographers dream about.

It must have been tricky to shoot, but your timing is impeccable, with the snow gently falling, covering much of the woodland. The snow is creating a rather misty atmosphere which helps to separate the foreground from the background, allowing the trees in the foreground to stand out. I love that the bark of the trees is visible, with snow only falling on one side.

With woodland photography it can be tricky to make sense of the chaos, and there are some trees that are close to the side of the frame, particularly on the right side. This makes the composition feel a little uncomfortable.

Other than that, I enjoy the hi-key editing, leaning into the highlights, and there is plenty to enjoy about this photo. Congrats on making the top ten and thank you for sharing.

There is something really intriguing about this frame, particularly the juxtaposition of Mt Fuji, which dominates the top half of the image, and the urban sprawl below.

Photography is all about telling stories and the narrative of this image is the cohabitation of such an iconic landmark with the goings on of humankind in the valley.

I like the subdued tones of this frame and the composition works well, particular in portrait orientation which allows Mt Fuji to tower over the buildings below, adding scale and interest to the image.

The cloudless sky feeds into the cool tones of the image, although I like that the morning light is catching on the side of the snow-capped peak, adding some much needed warmth to the frame.

A fabulous image that shows once again that the best camera is the one you have on you. Well done on finding an interesting way to capture such a well-photographed location. Thank you for sharing.

When I first looked at this image I thought it was a computer generated frame because of the uniformity of the umbrellas. I'm delighted to discover that my first impression was incorrect and this indeed is a photograph. It's testament to your eye for a composition that you've managed to capture this image.

Cleverly, you've used the top end of your lens to zoom right in on the umbrellas, focusing our attention and minimising any distractions, such as the sea. The strong side lighting really helps to elevate the scene and brings out the bold, blue colours, as well as giving the frame a graphic feel.

There is a little bit of foliage that has snuck in to the right of the frame, but other than that there is plenty to enjoy here. Well seen, captured and processed, thank you for sharing.

Some images are all about crafting a composition, and finding the right framing that works, and others are more about capturing something unique and interesting in the moment. When everything goes right, the two combine, but for a lot of the time it's one or the other.

Here, you've managed to capture something that feels rather unique and interesting. When I think about sand dunes, I think about warm light and orange tones. Here, however, that idea has been subverted by the appearance of snow on the dunes. It's a surreal sight, especially as the snow is only on part of the dunes, creating an almost patchwork disappearing to infinity.

Although it's just a phone shot, I love that we all have cameras in our pockets ready to capture amazing phenomena like this. My instinct would be to crop out the footprints in the foreground and some of the sky above as it adds very little to the composition. This would allow us to focus more on the snow and the dunes.

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

The more I see of the Oregon coastline, the stronger the urge to visit, and this image has certainly contributed to that feeling.

I like the vantage point you've deployed for this shot, allowing the viewer to look down upon the coastal scenery and take in not only the landscape, but some of the water as well. The lush vegetation makes for a nice foreground, helping to lead the eye to the rock formation that is creating a natural arch into the sea. The water is cool and crisp, with a green hue that complements the trees that surround it.

I like that you've excluded the sky so our attention can remain on the landscape without any distractions and overall this image has a really good vibe, thank you for sharing.

I love a good coastal shot and this one has a little bit of the things I enjoy about seascapes.

On the beach itself there is a reflection of the warm tones in the sky due to the outgoing tide creating some wet sand. This leads the eye to the water itself, with waves crashing and I like that you've caught the wave as it descends onto the beach. Above is the sky, full of colour as the sun ascends. Sunrise is a particularly special time, and I believe there is a quality to the light that you just can't replicate at any other time of the day. This adds just a little bit of magic to the composition.

A simple scene that uses all the elements in the frame to create a lovely image. Well seen and captured, thank you for sharing.

I love urban landscape photography. I believe that the way we use light in the landscape can be equally as compelling in an urban environment and your image is proof of that in action.

I like that you've taken advantage of not only the conditions, but taken time to seek out a compelling composition to accompany the light. The portrait orientation works well, allowing for the buildings to move through the frame, creating a curve which is pleasing to the eye.

This is where the light comes into play, with that warmth finding a way through the urban sprawl to illuminate the stone work on either side of the street. I like that the road is devoid of both people and traffic, ensuring there is a stillness to the image.

Really well seen, captured and processed, thank you for sharing and congratulations on making the top ten!

Sometimes, when you're in extreme conditions, this is where the iPhone (or any camera phone) comes into its own.

I can only imagine how cold it was to be standing where you were to have taken this frame. The thought of having to drag heavy, professional camera kit up the mountain, then set it up, would have been tricky and risked missing the shot. However, with the phone, it would be much easier, and as I always say, the best camera is the one you have on you.

Conditions aside, the composition works well, particularly your choice of portrait orientation which keeps all the elements tight in the frame. I like the rocky foreground that is covered in snow which is turn leads the eye to the misty mountains the mid-ground. Beyond, is a sun that is either setting or rising, close to the horizon, adding some warmth to break up all those blue tones.

I wish you had provided a little more insight into your creative process, but otherwise well seen and captured, thanks for sharing.

There is something about this composition that just stood out to me.

It's always brave to shoot in 1:1 as a square format can be tricky when it comes to composition, but in this case it works well for a few reasons.

Firstly, there are some inbuilt layers to the scenery, particularly at the bottom of the frame. The snow, the reeds and the wall all work together to create interest and the eye explores each layer up to the thin sliver of sea.

Secondly, the sky is clear apart from the cloud close to the horizon and that one fluffy cloud in the middle of the frame. It really pulls the whole composition together and gives purpose to the sky above and below.

A composition that is easy to look at and enjoy, thank you for sharing.

Some landscapes are all about impressive vistas and panoramic views, but others are much more focused on smaller details. Both are valid and have their place under the umbrella of 'landscape photography'.

This frame is all about finding the smaller details in the landscape. I love that this is ostensibly a woodland shot, but the main focal point is a dandelion, catching the light and standing tall on the woodland floor. The cool tones of the tree trunks stand in juxtaposition with the brightly lit weed. Your title, 'Ray of Hope' fits perfectly, and this image is a testament to your ability to look closer.

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

This is a delightful seascape that leans into the conditions. I like when the sky does something like this, appearing in reverse with the bolder colours closer to the horizon. It makes for an interesting composition, particularly because you've captured the reflection in the sand.

I'm unsure if that's the sun or the moon, but either way it acts as the main focal point for the frame. The peach tones of the cloud and the sky complement the turquoise colours in the water, and I like that you've captured a wave in motion.

A really lovely seascape, well seen, captured and processed, thank you for sharing.

I love the feel of this image, and I was delighted to discover that this was shot on film. The fact that I couldn't tell that immediately is testament to your skill relating to composition and exposure.

It can be tricky shooting into the sun because there is a fair chance that the highlights will consume the frame, stealing our attention from the composition. However, in this image you've managed to pull it off, instead capturing a glorious sunstar.

The benefit to shooting directly into the sun is that the elements in the frame will be backlit, silhouetted against the light. Here, the rock formation in the sea is the main element, standing next to the archway. It appears to be pointing the viewer towards the light and the clouds above.

This is just one of those images that has a really good vibe to it. An intriguing scene that has been well seen, captured and processed, thank you for sharing.

I don't know if this is taken on a phone, but I think it is, and that allows me to deploy my oft said phrase, 'the best camera is the one you have on you'.

I like that you have included some of the technical details in the frame itself. The composition is rather surreal with the maze in the foreground and the mountains in the background. It feels like a still from some sort of fantasy film or book.

The curves of the maze work really well as a compositional tool to lead the eye into the frame. I love how the maze is catching the light in such a way that brings out the colour and allows it to stand boldly in comparison to the rest of the elements in the frame.

An intriguing image, thank you for sharing.

This image immediately stood out to me because of the unusual subject matter. I'm a firm believer that landscapes don't just have to be rural and there is creative merit in urban scenery too. This image does a great job of proving that point.

It's a bit of an odd image as I can't quite work out what is going on and why there are barriers for the cars? Unfortunately you don't give much insight into the location, so I just have to use my imagination.

What stood out to me is the diagonal lines moving through the image, from the roads visible on the gravel, to the green edging on the main road and of course the highway itself. Again, I'm unsure how you took this image, if it was from a drone, if this is a scale model or if you're up a hill, but I do love the geometry and symmetry of it. Thank you for sharing.