One light

An excellent photograph and a worthy winner of this contest. The hard light coming from the top-left of the scene casts provides just enough detail for the subject to be lit well, but also gives enough shadow for there to be lots of mood in the image. The colour toning is excellent and really adds to the overall scene. Excellent work.

This is a photo that I just kept on coming back to throughout the judging of this contest. Although some might say the light is just a bit too bright on the top of the shell I don't mind that so much as it's brought out so much detail in the snail and provided quite a different type of entry in this theme.

This shows something a little bit different... rather than just using their flash 'normally', this photographer has coloured the light using (I assume) some kind of gel filter over the front of the light. This leads to a truly different kind of image in this contest and one which I had to give a commendation to... because I don't think I'd like him when he's angry!

A great photo with an extremely difficult subject. The catchlight in the eye tells you all you need to know about how this photograph was lit - a nice big softbox high above and to the right of the dog. Again, the exposure is well controlled, casting just the right amount of light and giving a nice falloff.

I love the effect a ringlight can have on portrait photography - from the gorgeous catchlights in the eyes to the really distinctive type of contrast it brings to an image. This is a great example of how to use a ringlight.

This photograph is a prime example of how to take part in a theme, even if you don't have all the equipment needed. This photographer didn't have a flash, so they improvised by (in their own words) by making "a light box using cardboard, silver foil, led small light and a white sheet!"

Great improvisation, and well photographed.