Red and Black

I found your image 'petals' to have a gentle but strong rhythmic theme, rather like the waves on water. The lines of the petals allow your eyes to move freely around the photo and although they may lead you out at the edge there is another line to make your return. The brief is met perfectly with only the red and dark shadows. You have mastered the lighting and the graduations from red to black are gradual while maintaining the gentle structure of the petals. Congratulations on a well deserved top ten.

I was impressed with this photo from the start. A simple object in a cafe, well spotted. You have created a very strong image with the red of the chairs and the contrasting black shadows. Some shadows have hard edges others have soft graduations between the black and red. The chairs have a pleasing repeating shape as they transverse across the image with the gentle curves of the backs matching the curves of the seat. The angle that you have used to take the shot has the two chair seats touching which also continues this pattern, perfect. Well spotted and shot, a great image and deserving of first place. Congratulations.

This is a strong image. Your excellent choice of viewpoint has created "s" shaped curves that are framed to add interest to both the positive and negative portions of the photo and you have fully utilized the natural beautiful shape of the guitar with your framing. The red strings and detail lines give the image extra depth. Congratulations on making my top ten.

This is a very carefully constructed abstract. It is made with a composition principal used by artists that is known as a steel yard composition. This creates a balanced composition by having two main objects, one heavier one placed somewhere near the center of the image and a lighter one placed towards the outside. Sounds simple, but I know it is not that easy. You have achieved the perfect balance between the circle and the grey rectangle on the very edge of the image. My eyes move between these two elements and there is no escape. You have created a beautiful abstract with a minimal of confusion. Congratulations on making my top ten.

This Venice carnival image has a lot of appeal and perfectly meets the brief. I like the fact that the entire costume is red and black and that you have not included any background. You have carefully placed the masked face using the rule of thirds. The eyes have a strong direct contact with a neutral expression that matches the neutrality of the mask. Beautiful capture and congratulations on making my top ten.

This image just missed out of my top ten but is highly commended. At first glance it reminded me of an abstract footprint and then a thought bubble with a strawberry as the thought. The layout really makes you take a second look and the attention to detail is outstanding. The spots of cream are perfectly placed and the fresh strawberry being sliced is a nice touch. I am impressed that you made this image with a phone camera. Keep up the high standards.