Stained Glass Windows

There were two very similar images in my top ten, which were equal in my eyes, but obviously not possible to share the placing. What just edged this one for me is the feeling of lightness across the entire image which somehow adds to the magnificence of the architecture and the building. The detail and colours fill the frame, and makes me want to see what lies beyond the frame too. Super capture of the light and the colours in this spectacular structure. Well done on your top ten placing.

There are some lovely tones in this image which has allowed both the glass and the stonework to be effectively lit. Composition is good, with the structures being positioned both symetrical and with verticals true, which all adds to the impact of the shot. I love the colours, with the windows a warm rich orange, and the stonework quite muted. The image is full of detail, but there is a lovely softness about the image too, which I like. Congratulations on your second place finish.

This image has the potential to be a great shot. What spoils it for me however is the addition of what look to me to be fake sun rays. If you wish to add some drama to a shot by adding light effects, you need to closely study how light behaves naturally, then attempt to replicate that if you feel it would add to your image. Unfortunately with the unnaturally placed and varying direction of the rays which have been added, it looks unnatural and so unfortunately keeps the image out of the awards. A shame, as without the added effects, you have managed to capture the natural light in a very pleasing way as it illuminates the surrounding stonework, with some lovely warm colours too.

There were a number of excellent images in this contest which had beautifully captured a grand stained glass window, set off against a black background to emphasise the shapes and colours. What sets this image apart for me is the inclusion of the cross hanging from above, as it gives an indication of the setting, and prevents the shot being just an abstract pattern image. It may have been an irritation to you in your photograph, but fo me it makes the shot. Your image really shows off the beauty of these windows. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

The efforts you took to precisely compose this shot to achieve optimum symmetry and centralisation have certainly paid off. The extreme wide angle lens used gives a super view of the ceiling and windows, and the lens distortion has been used creatively. By bracketing three separate shots, you have been able to create a well balanced and well exposed image, with just enough light to reveal the details in the stonework, but not too much to blow the highlights in the windows. A rather mesmerising shot, congratulations on your winning image.

What I especially like here is that you have included a little of the surroundings, rather than taken a close-up just of the glass. Such an image requires more control of the exposure, as you need enough light to illuminate the walls, without over-exposing the brighter windows. Well composed, taken directly face-on to the window, with everything nicely lined up. The warm colours show off these windows in all their glory. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

A great image which has captured the stained glass windows in their surroundings, here in a very attractive bar. Difficult shooting conditions, you have done well to balance the exposure between the dim intrior and the strong light streaming through the beautiful windows. I like the composition, with the dominant grouping of two customers and waiter on the right, and the lone person sitting in the window seat on the left. Super image, well done on your top ten placing.

Another fabulous capture of La Sagrada Familía which ideally I could have placed equally with the other. I imagine being in such a setting it is easy to be overwhelmed by the grandeur and difficult to know what to include and what to leave out of the shot, but you have done very well here. A great wide angle view, it does not matter about the extent of the distorted diminishing perspective, as for me that only adds to the impact of the shot by emphasising the scale of the building. Some lovely contrasts and colours, everything looks pin-sharp. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

The spiral shape is an immediate draw to this image. The exposure has been effectively handled, as there is no over-exposure in the window highlights, and the under-exposure of the surround works well, as it enables the windows to be viewed more as a graphic abstract. Everything looks to be sharply focused. Congratulations on your third place finish.

There were a number of images in this contest showing this spectacular stained glass ceiling in close-up, but I like this image as it shows more of the surroundings. Very effective use of the extreme wide angle lens, and any distortion which would have occured looks to have been corrected nicely. I may have been tempted to adjust the white balance on the lower part of the image, as the walls and floor look a little warm/yellowy, but despite that the whole image is very harmonious and certainly has the wow-factor. Super architectural image, well done on your top ten placing.