New Joiners - People #522

Excellent use of light. My first impression was that it had a cinematic vibe, so it was not surprising to read in the caption that it was taken on a film set. The subject's stoic expression and gaze are keenly observed and add to the story. Good work.

A simple but engaging portrait. The lighting appears to be carefully controlled and artfully realised with good catch lights in the subject's eye. But, ultimately, like most good portraits, it's down to the connection with the subject, and I sense this here.

This image tells a story of anticipation and yearning; I had a sense of this even before reading the title. The light creeping in from the left with the heavy dark mass on the right side and the subject's expression all eloquently suggest this.

Wow, what a wonderful, decisive moment to have seen and captured. It's an invaluable lesson in being alert to potential photographs all the time, even in places where you might least expect them. I particularly like the glow from the painting (?) that the subject is holding. It's a lovely touch. Good work.

This is a well executed travel shot of a cormorant fisherman. It's easy to see why this is such a popular subject with travel photographers. The mix of blue twilight and the warm glow of the lantern is very inticing.

This peaceful scene has a lovely sense of calm contemplation. The protagonist, lost in thought, sitting on the bench, stands out against the dark and moody scene. The handling of the mono-tones thoughtfully plays to the 'story' of the image.

I love the sense of narrative in this intriguing image. I'm unsure what the story is, but the ambiguity is enticing. I love how the brightly lit box (top left) and the light from the right both disrupt and balance the composition and create tension.

This is a beautifully playful interpretation of the theme. I love the relationship and upward-looking positions of both the subject and the figure in the painting. Set against the stark white walls of what I presume is a gallery, this works very well.

Clever use of creative lighting and long exposure makes this portrait loaded with nuance and meaning. The two faces achieved through long exposure are a great way to explore the subject's 'duality' as intended by the photographer. The 'duality' of the colour palette adds to this too.

Maybe this is a cool, contemporary take on the Three Graces. I love the formal composition arrangement and the space the subjects have in the frame. But ultimately, the fun and dynamic expressions and gestures of the subjects make the image a winner!

This is a rich and atmospheric image that speaks to the adventurous allure of travel in far-flung corners of the world. I understand that shooting in low-light conditions can be challenging (as mentioned in the notes), but in this instance, the grain (digital noise) adds an analogue vibe that works a treat!

What a wonderful portrait! I love the formal structure of the composition, with the subject perfectly positioned in the architectural frame. This gives both context and a sense of narrative. The handling of the black-and-white tones has been skillfully handled and artfully realised.

A super sports shot. I love the cool, calm demeanour of the subject, effortlessly riding the turbulent sea. I didn't notice the foot of a fallen surfer in the sea behind her until reading the caption. This just adds to the story. Excellent capture, well done.

The tunnel and light have been cleverly used to create a dynamic and compelling composition. The subjects, holding hands and in silhouette, look great as they walk away towards the wall of green. The exposure handling seems spot on, too, despite the challenging conditions.