Great use of a natural frame in this shot and the black around the subjects head, really makes it pop. Good to see the inclusion of the open window, too, it adds symmetry and makes for an unusual crop. My only (tiny) reserve was the brickwork level at the top of the image. Sounds minor, but when you mount and frame images, these sorts of things really show. Colour really works for this image and sharpness/exposure/contrast all handled very well.
Great work.
I've sifted through some wonderful images and enjoyed all the interpretations of the title, so well done, all! But, there has to be a winner, which is always mostly down to personal taste. Several were shuffled through the first place position, before I finally decided on this great image. I really love the intensity of the work, perfectly exaggerated by the very tight crop, excellent! Pin sharp where it needs to be and great tonal range. Very well done, indeed!
The colour of this image works perfectly with the summertime, dreamy atmosphere. It makes me feel that there is respite to be had in those cool waters on a hot day. Depth of Field is great, focus is sharp and exposure show tones from white through to black. Water reflected faces can give a 'hall of mirrors' effect and spoil the overall look, but this has been chosen well to avoid that problem. (I assume there were several frames taken).
Great work.
This is very well composed and exposed, the depth of field is spot on, too. My eyes want to follow the sitters gaze, but I find myself drawn back to that sinister face in the background. The contrast in the two expressions is fabulous. I have no idea if it was setup or caught by chance, but it makes no difference, it feels 'caught'. I feel as though I'm sitting on a table nearby and observing the contradiction of the two gazes. Love it.
Perhaps a simple everyday image, but well seen, composed and exposed. The neutral background really throws the subjects forward and they feel much closer to the viewer than I suspect they were. The black and white treatment works well for this image, colour would most likely have distracted the viewer, good choice! If anyone can get one of these with a matching headline on the news paper, you have a winning photograph!
Great work.
I've done a similar shot to this before and appreciate the work involved. I've only ever done 4 people, but here we have children AND pets! Exposure is consistent, processing is spot on and sharpness perfect. What's not to like! I'm sure the family will treasure this shot for years to come.
Great Work.
This is a lovely piece of work, for some reason it reminds me of a racing driver, in the pits after a successful race. The exposure is very well controlled, the smoke is captured beautifully and it makes a great atmospheric portrait. Black and white would have been wasted on this, I feel the muted colours add to the 'feel' of the shot.
Great work.
Great use of an unusual shadow pattern in this piece. The image has a rather sinister feel to it and I wonder if the sitter is the intruder or defender? The lines on the wall make you follow the subjects gaze and adds to the mystery of the image. It's almost a short story in a single frame, where the viewer imagines the beginning and the ending. Images that tell open ended stories are always a winner for me. Great work!
1,342 Images entered
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61,552 Ratings
This image caught my eye because it's an odd crop, it has great tones and is very well processed. The vignette draws my eye up the frame, containing to the diagonal, while the gaze carries my eye out to the right. The subjects expression adds much to the image, as does the texture in the wall behind.
Great work.
Brief
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There are endless, creative ways to capture a person through portraiture but perhaps one of the most timeless and striking ways is with a side profile shot. By taking a photo of someone exactly 90 degrees from the front, you take the essence of your subject and turn it into a work that will truly stand the test of time.
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This is a delightful image and I'm sure it will do well in many competitions. It made the shortlist here, but when It came to final selection, I felt it didn't quite meet the brief, which is a shame. The exposure is very good, shot against the light, it's very well controlled. Subject placement is perfect and I completely understand the subject needed to gazing out of the window. I love the rain on the window being in sharp focus, too, while the outside World feels far away.
Great work.
