New Joiners - People #444

This is a truly stunning portrait. Where to start. The tonality within the black and white is beautifully measured and exposed with incredible details in the highlights especially around the face and clothing swirling around her. The strong facial positioning and defiant look out of camera is perfect as are the lines within the fields echoed against the clothing. The positioning of the face rising from the dipping fields centered works so well as does the shallow depth of field bringing the attention back onto the main subject. One of the best photographs I've seen anywhere in a long time. A very worthy winner.

This is a powerful editorial portrait that has a strong story behind it. It's very topical with many photographers documenting rural and farming communities within the UK. It's strength is in the eye contact that we the viewer cannot ignore, We feel trapped almost claustrophobic through the tight crop and the lines taking us to the central area of the mans face. The light in the eyes slightly hidden from the cap add to the drama as do the saturated colors. One thing to consider is the hand half in the frame. If it was out of shot the image would be visually more powerful but this is a small issue and does not stop this photograph being a powerful comment on farming communities.

The title Sigrid in Dreamland gives us some clues into the image. The young man looking out whilst also seeing his own reflection looking back at him. This simple but stunning portrait is powerful partly because of the closeness of the lens to the subject and also that wonderful expression on his face. The reflected image almost seems to be a different person staring back, add in the blues from the shirt complemented by the same blues blurred in the background and we have a really great photograph.

The colors and shapes really draw us into this scene, We feel we are there with the photographer walking up these steep stairs. The darkened sky against the blue tints of the buildings add a surreal feel to the image. The intrigue though is this relationship between the two boys walking on different levels and in different directions to each other. This really adds a sense of the decisive moment to this capture and really makes the image stand out. Great timing and anticipation.

Literally, one man and his dog. I love the contrast between the dog standing guard and the man relaxing. The positioning and framing are just perfect with the sand and rocks acting as a visual buffer to the sea and sky with these two elements between then perched on a single rock to the right of the frame. It's a classic composition and works so well. As does the muted tonality of the black and white and keeping detail in the sky is technically very good. Well done.

This is a beautifully crafted photograph. The light is warm and alluring, the elevated position of the camera allows us the viewer to take in this vista and the contrasts between the two bathers and the gentleman walking the dog really add intrigue to this image. It looks like it could be literally in the middle of the desert but I suspect its part of a lovely hotel complex? The blue of the mans shorts really lift this image against the warm sands and the ripples in the pool are incredible, very tranquil. A well observed and technically stunning photograph.

Great timing and more importantly positioning. I look to the right and see the gentleman with his camera and like most of us we get the side on view as an on looker to this type of event but the photographer in this instance has gone in close and to the center of the action and this makes for a greater and dynamic picture. The lady at the front is happy to be photographed and interact with the camera, The saturated colors work so well and the pops of red are fantastic. The photographer has taken a gamble and wow has it paid off. Well done.

This could be a painting. A Constable or Turner. The wide sweeping vista and stunning muted tones against the dramatic sky works so well, as does the angle of the camera looking down into this sunken valley. What makes this photograph really stand out and gives us the viewer the sense of scale needed are the seven individuals looking on a viewing platform at a similar view to us. Technically this is superb and a really enjoyable photograph to keep looking at.

This is such a tender and stunning close up portrait of a young baby. The attention to detail and flawless skin and smooth tonality from the black and white really draws our attention in, then we can't look away. The tiny details from the highlights on the bottom lip to the wonderful contrast to the softness on the rug or blanket the baby is sleeping on work very well. Going in close allows us to see all these tiny elements and it's far stronger for that. Lovely.

The bold colors and juxtaposition between the clown and the blurred lady on the left looking straight at the camera gives this image that extra piece in the jigsaw. The colors leap out from the frame which is perfectly balanced against the sober muted colors of the woman on the left. I love the facial expression on the clowns face. They don't look happy to be photographed. A sad clown. But a great photograph, well studied and captured. Excellent.

The contrast between the light on the person closest to the camera works so well against the darker sombre light on the people in the background. Our eye, then is taken away to the left and the next person before we return to the main individual in this picture. The detail is amazing. It's like looking at a 4K screen and it really makes us keep looking. The close crop works well as that allows us to go straight to the what's important within this image. The people. Powerful

Fun and clever. A really successfully considered photograph. The camera is really turned on the viewer so who is actually looking at whom. The juxtaposition between the camera portrait against the obscured face is well positioned and the shallow depth of field blurring out the background means our full attention is aimed at the central and important part of the image. It gives a whole new meaning to the idea of the selfie. Great photograph. Well done.

So many contrasts from the tattoos on the dads arm mirrored in the shapes of the tree behind to the clever use of the low camera angle and the position of the sun behind the head really gives this lovely glow to the overall image. The shallow depth of field means we look directly to the main subjects then our eye is taken around the entire picture to this lovely blue sky which cuts around the tree perfectly. A well thought out photograph that looks great.

This is a fun and great candid street photograph and full of wonderful elements. I love the pose of the mannequin, head slightly bowed and with the arms on the hips looking very displeased with the person in front of it. The person unaware of what is behind and looking onto their glasses. The colors at night add to the drama unfolding. Only consideration would be thinking about a higher shutter speed for sharpness but then this image maybe have been missed. That is street photography. Great Capture.