Shot from above

When I started to judge this contest I expected I would have chosen a shot that featured strong geometric patterns and shapes. This image draws me in, I cannot resist coming back to view it. The shot was taken in a derelict building and the juxtaposition between this environment and the dancer goes very well together. The arrangement of the debris on the floor reflects the circular motion we expect the ballerina to be making from her elegant pose. Without the background information of how the scene was lit, it appears to be nicely diffused from two sources, low down from the top left and higher up from the bottom right. The orange and brown tones all work well to complement the ballerina. Well done!

This shot reminds me of the isometric drawings I used to create when in high school. There is a strong geometric emphasis created by the pool being shot at a 45º to the frame and is bolstered by the square paving and grid of the drains around the pool’s perimeter. The order and precision is disrupted by the random scattering of the deckchairs and it is this relationship which makes this image for me. Shots like this would take time to compose and set up, but as it is taken from a moving cable car it is even more remarkable.

This image has a very strong geometric theme running through it. I would still have loved this photograph based purely on how the photographer has arranged the hard landscaping within the composition, but the addition of the woman on the bench adds the finishing touch. The bleak, depressed expression on her face suits the loneliness I feel for her when viewing this photograph. I really like how the photographer has made the shadows very dark which helps to create the foreboding atmosphere. My only criticism is how the paving at the top of the frame runs off slightly, I would have been tempted to rotate the image slightly to straighten it up.

I have to admit that I’m slightly jealous of this image! I love it, it is exactly the kind of composition that I would be searching for when out with my drone. Despite the photographer having difficulties with processing the raw DNG image, it has been developed with superb skill. I’m a fan of light and shade and I love how the highlighted peaks of the vegetation create a wonderful texture. The heather surrounds the vivid green bush creating the focal point. The soft vignette holds the eye within the frame keeping it focussed on the rhododendron bush.

There were a number of photographs entered into this competition which were taken at the British Museum but this was by far the best of them all. The dominant column immediately catches the eye leading it downwards onto the people spilling out into the hallway. The curve created by the modern structure then opens out the frame to reveal one static figure in the top right third portion of the photograph. The use of a slow shutter speed is what defines this image, freezing the people with a faster shutter would have completely lost the movement and flow.

Another 'stand out from the crowd' image, this shot has a powerful, dark, cinematic feel to it. It appears that the old lady is confronting her long shadow and it could be inferred that this is a metaphor for the long life she has lived. There is a strong horizontal emphasis created by the shadow and buildings, the buildings also providing a backdrop and setting for the scene. The black and white conversion is well suited to this genre of imagery, it also appears that there has been some very subtle split toning applied to take the ‘edge’ off the black tones.

The majority of photographs submitted to this contest were understandably taken from great heights. One thing that my style of aerial photography has taught me is that there are interesting compositions and subjects directly under your feet and this image of a decomposing leaf on the tarmac is a prime example. As the leaf decomposes it’s fading away into the ground, the stem part of the leaf has retained some chlorophyll but this gradually fades until the tip has almost blended into the pavement.

As far as wedding photographs go, this is quite a unique viewpoint of the bride and groom. I love the low angle at which the scene is predominantly lit, the long shadow from the bride creates a lovely frame to the left hand side. On close inspection I noticed a stain on the groom’s shirt and I can’t unsee this now. I’m a little surprised this wasn't picked up by the photographer, especially looking at the quality of their other images. This blemish could have been easily removed in post processing.

A popular shot by the crowd, this image taken through the glass floor at Tower Bridge in London doesn't quite hit the mark for me. My first impression is it looks a little flat from lack of contrast and clarity and despite my usual criticism of over saturated images this could do with a little boost. I understand the technical difficulties of shooting through the glass floor, having done it myself. The scratched and dirty floor is not an ideal surface to shoot through, resulting in a slightly ‘muddy’ image! My final criticism is the direction the boat is travelling, I can't help but think it would be far better to be sailing upwards. Credit to the photographer however for their patience in waiting for the shot, it certainly paid off. I can imagine the tension deciding on the moment to release the shutter!

One of the advantages of taking photographs directly from the above is being able to switch the orientation of the image without the obvious consequences that would come with doing the same to traditional ground level viewpoints! This is one image I would suggest could be improved from being rotated 90º clockwise. The direction of the roads would then create a pleasing sweep left to right. Placing the road at a position one third into the frame I think would help the composition. This being said the green tones are lovely, complimented by the texture created by the highlights and shadows. The vignette prevents the eye from ‘falling off’ the edge of the photograph.

This image really intrigues me, at first I couldn't understand why and what I liked about it. On further consideration I think it’s because it’s typically British!. The conditions in which the photograph was taken don't strike me as being particularly warm, perhaps because of the cool tones captured, but the pasty white skin of the guy sat down is the typical ‘Brits abroad’ cliche, whenever there is some sun, there’s always someone trying their best to make the most of it! The shot could have been taken almost anywhere in the UK but the painting on the easel provides the location.

This image is incredibly striking and is just as memorable. The woman appears to be embracing the elements as the passers by anonymously walk on past. The arrangement of the umbrellas around the woman in the contrasting red dress frames her very well indeed. Although very well done, it is obvious that this is a composite image made up of a small number of umbrellas repeatedly copied in the frame. The feet of the umbrella carriers give an indication of the direction of travel but the ones at the top right hand third of the image appear to abruptly point in a westward direction. There is a point at which a photograph becomes digital art and this one as fabulous as it is goes beyond what I would consider a photograph.

Unfortunately I’m going to be a bit harsh in reviewing this image. This photograph goes to show that just because you have a amazing looking model, it does not necessarily guarantee an equally amazing image. The lighting is very flat and doesn't create the sultry mood that most successful boudoir images possess, the focal length of 32mm and aperture of f/6.3 also does not create the sensual soft look an image of this genre should portray. Finally keeping the walls of the ball pit in shot does not do the composition any favours at all. Sorry!

This composition is a really interesting find and, when seeing the thumbnail in the mass of images submitted to this contest, it stood out amongst the rest. On closer inspection however it disappointed. The colour tones suggest to me that the original image was underexposed and the shadows have been pulled back in post processing. There is a also heavy noise pattern which is a sign of recovering shadows and/or over sharpening. My final criticism is that the image could do to be rotated anti clockwise a little to remove the slight tilt. Despite this critique, this photograph is a cracking image with loads of detail to keep me viewing.