New Joiners - People #511

This is a really unique and interesting portrait. The reflected mirrored person offers a sense of strength where as the the same lady looking out has a fragility whilst one is looking away and the other looking back. Really powerful. The crop and exposure are perfect and allow us to really concentrate on the figures in the frame. The wonderful light on the face is really illuminating and makes the face stand out within the frame. It reminds me of the great work by masters like Saul Lieter. This image is that good. Beautiful. Well done.

I love the relationship between the woman carrying the flowers to the flowers close to the small pond and the tree over-head. the sunlight is lovely coming in from the side and the saturated colors work perfectly in the scene from the red roses to the head scarf against the green painted house. The elevated camera position allows us to see the action take place as the women goes towards the house. A lovely and well timed picture. Well done.

A wonderful moody scene which could be a still taken from a film such is the suspense and perfect composition The relationship between the two figures is wonderful as the little girl sees her uncle returning home. The muted colors in the haze only add to the drama almost like a cold war spy thriller. The elevated camera angle allows us to see all the action and the sharp focus throughout the entire frame is perfect. A great narrative photograph. Brilliant. Well done.

The dark clouds and subtle use of muted colors adds to the drama of this image. An excellent example of a person at work. It looks like its hard work and the photographer has done really well to show that. The tight crop works well as we get to see first hand the work going on. The placement also really locates the relationship between the man and the place he works - The sea. Stunning.

A really well constructed and unique portrait that stood out in the entire field of entries. I really love how the body almost merges into the wall and what is left is the face of the girl looking back towards the camera. The muted colors work perfectly in this instance especially against the backdrop of the brick wall. It is a wonderful photographic illusion worked out well in camera using film which is not easy to do exposure wise and the positioning and framing are excellent. A well considered photograph made using traditional materials in a world that is now becoming all about AI. Really well done.

This is a beautifully seen and taken candid portrait. The muted colors work well and compliment each other from the wonderful dark copper colors in the hair to the darkened wooden seat and beans in the background. The soft out of focus branches in the foreground take our eye to the main area, the stunning sulky pose of the little boy. I love how he is exploring the seat with his fingers lost down the slats in the seat. It has a nostalgic feel to the image which works well and is appropriate to this timeless image. Just lovely. Well done.

This was so close to my top 10. A great photograph of Captain America holding Thor's hammer. The forest like background offers a tranquil setting against the hero's traditional action environment. It's fun but because it has been photographed to look serious it becomes real. The shallow depth of field highlights the main individual and the picture as a whole is well constructed and very well photographed.

This is a great example of a picture where all the elements come together to create a wonderful composition. The seat, the lamppost, the dustbin and then the man walking across the scene. The muted colors work well so that no one element stands above the rest. A classic decisive moment. Well done.

A picture full of contrasts from the beautiful mountain scenery to the paddle boarder casually walking past. The colors work so well and the highlights on the water leading to the person is superb. The depth of field really leads our eye into the picture and once we are there we get to take in this wonderful scene. Great capture.

An absolutely cracking editorial portrait. Every element works really well within the frame. The positioning of the man to the right of the frame allows us the viewers to see the stunning arrangement to the left and the cans to his right. The single window light crosses the entire frame and gives this wonderful highlight to the mans face. The dark background and stunning exposure means we really concentrate on the man before our eye is taken around the frame.. The tight crop works well and this image would work really well as a feature within a magazine. Stunning.

A stunning portrait. The intensity of the blues are matched by the highly focused eyes as they pierce our gaze. The tight crop works really well and concentrates the focus on the face. The slight smile has that Mona Lisa feel - enigmatic. The sharpness on the face and shawl really draws our attention and separates the subtle softness of the blue background. The exposure is perfect and the lighting on the face just lifts that fantastic stare and smile. It really is a powerful portrait that would work so well on the cover of a magazine. Stunning. Really well done.

A real feel good photograph full of emotion that makes you smile every time you look at it. The photographer has got into the prime position at the front to really make the dancing girls come alive. They seem really happy to be there and be photographed. The highly saturated colors work so well in this vibrant scene. The sharp focus on the main girls works well especially with the subtle fall off as we look behind them. A really punchy image that shows that you can make fantastic photographs at carnivals. Full of emotion and love. Great capture.

Timing and positioning is what defines many a great photograph and this picture really shows us those qualities. Add in the amazing blue color scheme and you have a real winner. The timing catching the child wearing a blue top that fits in perfectly with the surrounding blue houses and the blue sky coming through the clouds is really well caught and the positioning of the small child is perfect within the frame. The exposure is well controlled which is not easy given the amount of highlights and shadow areas within the photograph. Overall a great capture showing split second timing. Well done.

This photograph has a real timeless quality about it. It takes us back to the era of pictorialism. The sepia colors that run across the picture, the clothes the family are wearing, the park setting the image was taken. I especially like the lady at the back of the group. Who or what is she looking at. We will never know and that's what is so lovely about this picture, so many little elements to focus on. Great capture.

A photograph of contrasts. The static giant pillars part illuminated part in shadow by the amazing light are broken by the man walking through the space. It seems a simple photograph but the photographer has made some excellent choices. Waiting for the person to enter the picture and then framing them centrally works really well. Turning the image to black and white adds mood and really allows us to see the details in the highlights and shadows in the pillars. The shadow details are well controlled which is not easy given the harsh lighting. A great example of a candid street portrait. Well done.