Posts and Poles

A great abstract image, striking in its capture and presentation. The nearer lines of thin poles are contained by the single line of poles running horizontally across the top of the frame. The slow shutter speed has rendered the water virtually invisible, adding to the abstract of the image. The conversion to black and white removes any other distractions, keeping everything clean, simple and minimal. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

It is difficult to know how much of this image is staged, but whatever, I love the result. The sand and sky look to have been softened a little in editing, which brings more emphasis to the man walking between the posts, strikingly positioned smack bang in the centre of the shot for maximum impact. It is left for the viewer to decide their own narrative for the image. Congratulations on your third place finish.

Ths image shouldn't work, but somehow it does. The composition is unconventional and the subject mundane, with no bright colours to shout out to the viewer either. It s for these reasons I think it is successful, and demands the viewer look more closely; always a good thing. Well done on your top ten placing.

There were a fair number of entries of Brighton's West pier in this contest, understandably as it is such an iconic location with posts and poles just waiting to be photographed. This image stood out from the rest, and earns a well deserved second place. I especially like the composition, with the uprights in the foreground and the larger remains beyond, each on their own half of the frame, but still well balanced. There is great quality to the capture of the light, and the use of the long exposure to smooth the water adds to the mood of calm. Congratulations on your second place finish.

I love the tones and the sense of gentle movement that this image conveys. The use of a slow shutter speed has softened the surface of the water and the clouds, bringing mood and atmosphere to the seascape. The line of poles, running across the centre line of the frame act as a nice divide between the water and the sky. The conversion to black and white has been especially well handled with great tones and contrasts. My only criticism would be the addition of the broad white frame, which is quite distracting and in my view takes something away from the actual image. Still a fantastic shot however, well done on your top ten placing.

A great image, perfectly capturing the chill and desolation of the landscape. Despite the foreboding clouds looming overhead, the gentle snaking scurves of the fence line and the curvig patterns in the snow also bring a gentle calm to the image. Well balanced exposure to ensure the snow is not too bright, nor the sky too dark. Simple but effective. Well done on your top ten placing.

A super image, shot in the harsh sunlight, bringing great atmosphere to the shot. Although the scene is relatively "busy", the jaunty angle of the telegraph pole allows it to stand out as one of the features of the shot, and helps describe the character of the location. The square crop works well, holding everything nicely together. The inclusion of the people and their placement in the frame works well too. Well done on your top ten placing.

This image stood out from many others in the contest, which were generally dominated by landscape views of one sort or another. The capture of the colours is great, rich tones but avoiding any temptatin to over-saturate the shot. Some may find the subect raher mundane, but here are plenty of detais and textures for the eye to explore and enjoy. Great work well done on your top ten placing.

Many photographers will go out of their way to avoid having people in their shot, but here we have a great example of when the inclusion of a figure creates the key success of the shot, even though they are not the obvious subject. Composition and timing of the shot is perfect, as the person walking out of the frame matches the line of bollard posts. The wonky post also adds to the success, by breaking the regimented line. Great monochrome work, with the subjects standing out well against the brighter background. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

What really attracted me to this image is the beautiful painterly look, which appears to have been achieved through skillful use of the camera rather than applying special editing effects in post processing. The colours are delicate and there is a lovely lightness to the shot. I love the textures and patterns formed by the water on the sand. What I especially like is the inclusion of the small figure, perfectly placed between the posts, which brings the image to life. Congratulations on your winning image.