New Joiners - Landscapes #965
Chris Saunders

New Joiners - Landscapes #965

May 2026

Entry 28715027
55th
2

I like this shot - it's frame-filling, colourful and full of interest. However, I'm not sure it really fits the theme. I would describe this as an urban image - not a landscape. Therefore, I don't feel I can give this photo more than a Merit. Sorry!

This is a striking shot - a simple but effective composition. Whether this photo truly qualifies as a 'landscape' or not is subjective. However, it's undeniably eye-catching and the clear blue sky contrasts beautifully with the architecture. I'm sure this image would look wonderful in black and white also.

Entry 28726979
2nd
26

This is a well-photographed tree - and with good reason, as it is a lovely location. The lengthy exposure has created good cloud movement. But as the branches are pin-sharp, I wonder if this might be a composite of two different frames? The squarer aspect ratio suits the scene and, while the colours are a bit punchy for my own taste, the result has impact.

Crowd and
Expert winner

Loch Maree is a truly stunning place - a landscape photographers playground. This is a lovely composition - placing the little island centrally works so well in this instance. The still conditions and low cloud help add mood and a sense of tranquility. I might consider adding a slight vignette in this instance to help draw the viewer's eye into the frame.

Using a shallow depth of field to intentionally blur foreground objects can prove effective. Doing so helps encourage the viewer's eye into the frame and explore the sharp areas of the frame. Personally, I would add more contrast to the landscape to give the shot more punch overall.

Another lovely black and white landscape. That brooding, heavy sky provides a natural frame for the landscape below. The lighthouse makes a great subject - a strong focal point, that anchors this scene. The sidelight and light play adds depth. The narrow aspect ratio suits the scene. A well captured and processed shot.

100 Images entered

Meet the expert judge

95 Photographers

Brief

See more contest details

Welcome to Photocrowd’s ‘Landscapes’ contest for New Joiners! These contests are a chance for new members to introduce their photography to the community, and get a taste of how Photocrowd contests work. They can be entered by anyone within their first 28 days of joining Photocrowd. After 100 images have been submitted the contest closes and the Crowd will start rating the images. The Expert Judge will also be judging the images and writing reviews at the same time. All the winners, both Crowd and Expert, will be announced after 3 days of judging. Make sure you also check out our two other New Joiners contests - ‘People’ and ‘Animals’.

7,057 Ratings

These are lovely conditions and this is a very atmospheric shot. Foreground interest will often enhance a composition - providing depth and inviting the viewer's eye into the frame. However, in this instance, I'm not sure the foreground is needed. The stumps aren't pin sharp and they disrupt the reflection. They are quite dark, heavy objects that don't match the soft, misty landscape beyond. Sometimes, less is more and I would have found a simpler composition without foreground.

Entry 28712685
17th
6

I like layered landscapes. Telephoto lenses are well suited to this type of scene, foreshortening perspective and highlighting all those lovely misty layers. The colours are a bit saturated for my personal taste, but I do like the mixture of cool and warm tones and transitions within the frame. An eye-catching shot.

In my opinion, the footprints in the sand dilute the tranquility of this scene. If the photographer had taken a few steps toward the sea, they could have excluded the messy part of the beach and had a foreground of pristine sand instead. Also, remember to check your horizon -straighten the image if it is sloping.

This shot has oodles of atmosphere. It has an almost otherworldly look to it - and the low cloud and black and white conversion helps add to the mood. This is a low contrast landscape, but the silvery rivulets really help define the landscape and entice the viewer's eye into the frame.

Entry 28741251
14th
10
Entry 28742927
6th
1
15
Entry 28752320
26th
4