Nutcrackers

A great shot, introducing a new-fangled way to crack nuts. I find the reflective surface a little distracting if intended for illustrative purposes, however, as the nut reflections confuse the original composition. I’d also have included some of the shells for completeness. This is well-composed image, with interest, suggesting that it is indeed possible to extract a Walnut without crushing it if you have the right equipment…

This is a nice close-up of a pair of crackers, caught just as the nut appears to be breaking apart. A perfect interpretation of what I was asking for in the brief. The tones of the out-of-focus background do not compete for attention, leaving the subject to be studied in detail.

I was torn between accepting or rejecting images of ornamental nutcrackers on the basis that they are not really intended for cracking nuts. Never-the-less, they can be extremely attractive (as can Squirrels) so the better ones, like this, have gained my approval. Christmas is on the way and I’m feeling generous!

I am flattered that you appear to have invested time to put this still life together specifically for my contest. I love the mysterious tones of the background and the absence of separation between the horizontal surface and vertical backdrop. To crack a coconut in such an imaginative way has gained you a well-deserved position in my top ten.

First, I’d like to thank everyone who submitted entries for this contest and particularly those who risked subjects not directly in line with the brief. Such variety made the contest more interesting to judge and, hopefully, more enjoyable for anyone-else to review. My first choice is a straightforward interpretation of the brief, achieved with what I consider to be a beautiful image. Metal objects do not always photograph easily, but this one has succeeded by using a dark background to emphasise its elegant shape. The judicious placing of Walnuts has added interest and balance, beside illustrating the purpose of the device.

A well-focussed shot with humour. From the pivot, my eye was drawn across the image to notice a face on the unfortunate nut that explains the title. On exploring further, however, I discovered the discreet signature in the bottom right-hand corner and I feel that such is out of place in an amateur contest.

A great shot of an “interesting” nut cracker, with subtle lighting. I wonder if this was its intended purpose? It’s not just a striking image, though, this one also scores for its imaginative title. Thank you for submitting it and congratulations on reaching my Top Ten!

You must be nuts, or just plain crackers! Full marks for creating such an imaginative and original image (although only half marks for the title)! Your ‘nut’ looks too much to be a willing participant, which is just as well if she happens to see what you have in mind for her. Thank you very much for producing something especially for my “Nutcrackers” contest and making me smile.

Of all the images I anticipated, a ‘family’ of nutcrackers had not been one of them! I enjoy a spot of humour and that’s what attracted me to this. For my money, I’d have flipped alternate images, if there was the only one available, to conceal the fact they are all identical but different sizes.

This is a cracking shot (if you don’t mind the pun)! The red handles of this intriguing device caught my attention, then had me marvelling at this invention. I’d have preferred a different choice of nut, however. The Macadamias look more like anaemic Brussel sprouts – but then, Christmas is just around the corner!

I like the square format of this "nut's eye view" and the sharp focus on the business end of a pair of nut crackers. Titles are important to me, so I’d have preferred something a little more imaginative or accurate. The image, however, is perfect and bang on brief.

I like the stark contrast between the background and the lovely tones of the wood in this shot. This attractive cracker appears to be demonstrating how it can break a Walnut open without wrecking it or catching your hand, such is the control offered by a screw over a simple lever. This is a pleasing image which also happens to be educational.