Summer

This image by Peter Jarvis, titled 'On the beach', captures your attention due to its unusual perspective. Although the background can be deemed quite dull, it is brought to life via the vibrant colours of the beach towels and more so by the bright orange parasol. I wonder how this shot was taken, but it makes me appreciate the length to which Peter has gone for the competition. The striking image is a worthy top ten entry, but for me is lacking that final push of what summer represents!

Although I look at this photo and yes, it does come across quite pixelated, it does draw me in to what some people view as summer. This photo somehow looks as though it was taken some time ago which makes it appear quite nostalgic! I love the gold colour of the water on the sand shining from the sun's rays. Your eye is drawn to the line of surfers heading out to catch the waves. A very deserving third place.

Although this is a simple image, I love how well the focus of it has been taken around the feet and partial grass lawn. The contrast of the green against the greyishness of the trainers really works wonderfully. I like the image as it shows a child (I imagine) jumping around enjoying the summer sunshine. I like the clarity of the trainers this photo shows, from the tying of the shoelace down to the dirt on the tips of the toe. A strong photo and a good candidate!

Of the many sunset photos that were submitted, this one by Gernot M, titled 'Serve', has to be one of the most striking. I love the enthusiasm and energy of the silhouetted figure, jumping to strike the ball with a cloud of sand at his feet. The sharpness of the silhouette distinguishes him from the other relaxed beach goers. This photo captures the final moments of the summer's day, as the night draws in with the sun lowering down over the horizon - the final moments of a day enjoyed and remembered by all who were there. I like the angle the photo is taken from so as to fully make good use of the light available from the sun.

This lovely photograph by Chad Ehlers is a perfect example of showcasing the contest title, 'Summer'. I absolutely love this photo, it emphasises childhood memories of enjoying a perfect summer's evening, cycling down to the lake with a picnic, friend in tow, lapping up the last rays of sunshine. Chad's use of focal point draws your attention to the shoes and bike left behind whilst the two girls enjoy a dip in the lake. It is a great use of the competition's theme and an easy winner.

I particularly like the focus on the kettles ready to be boiled. There is a very rustic feel about them. The photographer has done a good job of making them look as though they would be real to the touch, lifelike! I like how the photo illustrates how simple summer can be: camping out with the family in tow, rain or shine! The photo gives a real sense of texture of what it would be like to be there enjoying it, feeling the grass beneath your feet while walking barefoot.

An interesting photo, but for me nothing to do with 'Summer' unless you're illustrating a typical British summer where it rains most of the time. Your eye is immediately drawn to all of the colourful umbrellas. It is very original and interesting but misses what the competition is about. The clarity of the photo is very good, nothing out of focus. I feel a more appropriate image by the photographer with the same quality of workmanship would have made a much stronger entry.

This is a strong portrait photo and I agree with what the photographer has said about why it was taken: "So my kids remember all the great stuff they got to do as children and what a wonderful childhood they had." Straight away I'm drawn into the enjoyment the child is having while on what appears to be a boat out on a lake. Even though the sun is quite bright, the photo has been taken exceptionally well, without losing any clarity of the child who is the main subject!

A view of summer coming to an end is the perspective from which I like to see this photo. It reminds us that once we see hay harvested summer is ending and Autumn draws near. I'm drawn to the setting sun and the light and warmth it brings still, even as the night comes in. How the light reflects off the clouds is quite beautiful, and is emphasised by how the image has been composed, drawing your eyes from the clouds down to the cut field where dusk is settling in.

I love this photo! I love how it has been shot through the front and rear entrance of their tent, straight away making it the focal point. I love the composition of it. The sun setting gives us many a golden tone shining through the layers of the tent fabric and around the silhouettes of people walking away from us. I would have liked to have seen more detail in the shadows around the bottom and left of the image, but all in all a great photo.