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Lock gates rarely present a satisfactory subject because they innately inhibit the depth of the image - they are a barrier! But this image incorporates the gates into a mosaic of arresting lines and form. They blend into the near-abstract quality of your composition - its the reflections which make the image work - and of your subliminal use of toning. This image jumped out of the other contributions, and thank you for the opportunity to enjoy it.
271 Photographers
500 Images entered
Brief
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I am looking forward to seeing your photos of river locks and canal locks. Images can show the whole lock, but isolated features of the lock such as the lock gates or mechanisms are also welcome. In my judging I would prefer to see images that are not over-processed. Entries can be in colour or black and white.
Thank you for referencing such an 'authoritarian' lock, with a sense of foreboding and rank industrialism. You have achieved this by taking the focal point jarringly off-centre, and with a sense of 'lean' slightly off the horizontal. By desaturating and lowering the sharpness and detail you have added to the surrealism. This image wins through its evocative understatement and I thank you for allowing me to enjoy it!
15,179 Ratings
Both your top-ten images win the accolade for abstracting the stark lack of contrast in most lock structures. They are difficult to frame and to depict their essence, but with your composition and keen colour contrasting, I recall the slimy descents into the confining depth. What a fantastic image and testament to the photographer rather than the camera.
I have never been satisfied with my own lock images, largely because of your cited technical challenge - 'composition'. They are very difficult to frame and to capture their atmosphere. But your image has shown that it can be done! The slow exposure and luscious use of defocus captures the dynamic of the overflow. Your toning is captivating and most suitable to the past age of canals. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this image.
Thank you for referencing such an 'authoritarian' lock, with a sense of foreboding and rank industrialism. You have achieved this by taking the focal point jarringly off-centre, and with a sense of 'lean' slightly off the horizontal. By desaturating and lowering the sharpness and detail you have added to the surrealism. This image wins through its evocative understatement and I thank you for allowing me to enjoy it!
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If this competition would have been a 'Your Best Photo' or 'Reflections', then it would be a winner. It is a rich and captivating composition with depth and focus, containing interest throughout the frame. Gorgeous post processing - the burning is so effective. The blending of colours is superb. It's just that I can hardly see a lock, which nearly renders the entry 'off-topic'. I'm tempted to launch a new context: '24mm Bridge Reflections in China' just so that your image can win! Thank you for your contribution which I have enjoyed tremendously.
