Still Life in Black and White

This high contrast image makes a great subject for black and white. I love the view from near the top of the castle looking along a diagonal, each point of the square like an arrow directing the eye further into the image. The chess pieces themselves made of clear translucent glass showing the reflected shapes on the chess board. The tonal range is outstanding. The image has a hard smooth quality in keeping with the material. The lighting of the subject has been well handled with specular highlights kept to a minimum. A very nice image, congratulations on being in my top ten selection.

A simple but elegant study of four pears. The pears are carefully positioned and framed, The negative space in this arrangement is as interesting as the positive space and flows without any closed areas. The texture is well defined without being over processed . The natural light and white frame gives the image an old print quality. Very nicely done and congratulations on being in my top ten selection.

A delicate light-box study of Ginko leaves. I like the careful but seemingly casual placement of the leaves with the stems going from corner to corner while the leaves fill the other two quadrants. The leaves look light and airy and I can imagine them being blown along and settling like this. You have captured the texture very well and I particularly like the transparency of the leaf on the lower right which helps to give the image a more three dimensional look. Beautiful image that captures the fragility of the subject perfectly. Well done and congratulations on being in my top ten selection

Who could not resist wandering into this derelict room, seeing the dust covered piano and pressing a few keys to hear the tone. In this manner you have told a story. The piano, dust, finger prints, derelict room, I have the the story all captured in a single image. Well done and congratulations on being in my top ten selection.