No Sky - Urban Landscapes

The multiple colours and the intricate details captured here were an initial attraction to this image, which invited further exploration. The hillside to which these buildings cling looks so steep, it is difficult to see how the residences are even accessed as no roads or tracks are apparent. The subject fills the frame, which I really like, and whilst the subject is obvious, there is a strong abstract look to the image too. The colours are bright and bold but do not look to be over-saturated. The level of detail you have captured is superb. Congratulations on your second place finish.

A pin-sharp image with some lovely colour contrasts between the cool blues and the warm shades of orange and yellow. I like the composition, with the main streets running on a strong diagonal across the frame, which strengthens the shot. Something you have managed to do well, which is often difficult in a scene such as this, is that you have avoided any significant building looking chopped off on any of the edges of the frame. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

I love the tones on this image. Everything is in sharp focus, but there is a pleasing softness to the image, complimented by the lovely contrasting colours of the buildings. I especially like the inclusion of the glimpse of the river at the end of the row, which gives context and further describes the wider landscape beyond what we can see in the image. I also like the little extra details such as the laundry hanging on the balcony, which help bring the image to life. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

A fascinating urban landscape, an image which I imagine would look great printed very large and hung on the wall. The actual architecture is amazing, and your capture of this section of the city really gives a feel for the place, where the flat areas seem to serve as the roof to one, and the pavement or terrace to another. There is so much detail to explore if the eye is given time to wander through the scene, and the tiny figures of the small group of people, and what looks to be a goat, adds a sense of scale and further demonstrates the skill of the capture. The sunlight looks strong, but there is no harshness to the image, just warm earthy tones in the sunlight. Congratulations on your winning image.

In judging this contest, I was on the look out for images which not only showed an urban landscape, but also gave a good indication of the landscape one could likely find beyond the edges of the frame. I really get a sense of that here, with the "edge of town centre" small shops running downhill, and the remnants of past industrial times running up the streets on the other side of the dip. Lovely rich colours and tones bring the brickwork to life, and I also like the slightly compressed perspective. A fine example of an image I believe is so much better by the exclusion of sky from the shot, as full focus is on the lines, shapes and patterns formed by the architecture and streets etc. Well done on your top ten placing.

A well focused image, showing plenty of detail in these multi-coloured dwellings with their attractive pastel hues. I think you have the balance of the framing just right, with plenty within the frame for variety and interest, but not too much so that there is too much, and the individual subjects then become rather too small to appreciate. I like that there are some nice little details of people and objects on balconies, which invites the eye to wander around the scene to take it all in. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

I love this type of image, and is one of the reasons I think images which exclude the sky can be so strong. All too often, a pretty or dramatic sky can overpower an image and distract from any other subject, but without sky, focus falls fully onto the urban landscape, with its intricate shapes, lines and patterns. The success of this image for me is the relativrly low contrast black and white presentation, as it really adds to the abstract look of the image, and the absence of any over-darkened areas allow the eye to explore the entire cityscape below us. I really like that you have been able to capture a scene which at the same time shows uniformity and variation, with shapes and sizes similar, but equally very different. The image is full of sharp details too. Congratulations on your third place finish.