No Sky - Rural Landscapes

This image is a great example of a landscape scene which I believe really benefits from the elimination of the sky from the shot. It allows full focus to be on the shapes and form of the land. The telephoto lens gives an interesting compressed perspective, allowing the different layers to be stacked against each oher to compare and contrast the different forms and features, from the foreground grassy tufts to the smooth slope in the background. The two bare trees are an essential element in the composition, well placed within the frame on the lower third line. Lovely natural colouring completes the scene. Congratulations on your third place finish.

The composition of this image is simple but extremely effective. By capturing the image at this specific time of the farming year, all we see is a bright green stripe bisecting the deep brown earth, turning the landscape into an abstract picture. On closer viewing, the lighting has been used very well to emphasise the gentle undulations of both the land in general, but also the smaller textures of the ribbed ploughed soil. The shadows cast by the single line of trees with spring blossom are directly opposite to the direction of the ribbon of green, giving further strength to the shot. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

There were a number of similar images in this contest which showed the beautiful effect of the soft light on the undulating countryside. What made this image stand out from the rest for me is the patch of bare ground, which gives a strong focal point to the composition. Beautiful tones and shades of green, contrasting wth the reddy-brown ploughed earth. The snaking line wandering across the frame (a stream I think) acts as a fantastic lead in, guiding the eye to the solitary tree in the distance. Excellent use of light and shade, with everything retaining a beautiful softness, reflecting the gently rounded bumps of the multitude of little hillocks. Fabulous image, showing off this stunning countryside, congratulations on your second place finish.

This is a great example of an image which has such impact as a result of focusing only on the land, with no sky to distract or dominate. Instead we can fully appreciate the many varying shades of greens and browns, and follow the track as it passes between the snaking walls. The stone building is a good focal point, well positioned in the frame. I especially like the naturalness of the image with no over-processing. A simple but inviting rural scene, making me wish I was there! Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

I am sure this is not be the first time this particular tree has been photographed, being in such a beautiful and dramatic setting, with a few twists and gnarls in the trunk to add to its photogenic appeal. Superbly composed, for me the tree is just the right size within the frame, large enough to be the focal point, but not to large as to obliterate the view beyond. I love the gentle softness of the processing, bringing a lovely mood of calm to the image. Great colouring too, with varying shades of greens and browns. Super image, well done on your top ten placing.

It is difficult to know how near or far this image is from the reality of what you saw with the eye at the time, and I imagine there has been a fair amount of image processing to achieve the final result. However I love the image and everything from the capture to the editing has been very well executed. I always like to see a title on an image, and the title here seems very apt, as you seem to have captured the whole of springtime in one shot. The vivid spring colours are gorgeous, contrasting yet harmonising, with the blue of the shadows emphasising the soft undulations of the green and pinky-yellow fields. A beautiful fresh landscape, well done on your top ten placing.

This is a well captured natural landscape image. Great composition, with the seam of darker ice running on a diagonal, and the deep crevasses running on the opposite diagonal. This image may not appeal to all in a landscapes contest, but you were able to see the potential of the scene beneath you to make a great shot. It would perhaps be interesting to have seen the image in colour, as I imaging there could have been some attractive shades of cool blues and whites, however it does work well in black and white too due to the abstract lines and patterns. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

As with most of the stronger entries in this contest, by eliminating the sky from the image, the impact of the landscape is much greater, as the frame is filled entirely with the subject, with no sky to distract or dominate. I love your capture of the chilly frost, bathed in a beautiful pastel pink light, bringing a lovely sense of calm to the image. The tree in the foreground is well placed in the composition, acting as an initial focal point, before the eye can wander over the rest of this beautiful winter landscape. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

This is a stunning image which shows the wonder of nature, as the two completely contrasting substances of sand and water show such similar patterns when viewed from afar. Super composition, with the shoreline on a diagonal, and the frame roughly split one third:two thirds. Lovely rich colours in the warm golden browns and excellent control of the light to emphasise the lines and form of the waves. A great abstract landscape shot, congratulations on your winning image.

An image which very well illustrates the importance of the "right" light in the capture of a great photo. The long shadows caused by the low sun bring an added dimension, and the light is much gentler than towards the middle of the day, emphasising the soft rounded dunes and gentle valleys in the sand. Some wonderfully rich shades of golden yellow bring a lovely warmth to the image. If I were being picky, I may be tempted to crop a little off the lower edge to slightly reduce the depth of empty space at the bottom of the shot, but that is a minor point. A super image, again demonstrating how strong an image can be with sky not included in the frame. Well done on your top ten placing.