Straight lines
Seow Swee Meng

Straight lines

August 2019

Entry 4320517
59th
29
Entry 4320815
56th
122
Entry 4327718
55th
39
Entry 4328453
36th
67
Entry 4328871
66th
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Entry 4387743
781st
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Entry 4405131
768th
8
Entry 4413817
51st
31
Entry 4433600
278th
102
Entry 4436215
1020th
47
Entry 4457040
280th
148
Entry 4457069
333rd
21
Entry 4460217
426th
28

I do like the colour combinations here and the concept of shooting through the imperfect glass to give an abstracted image. The muted pinks and yellows play nicely with one another. I can't help but want the composition to be more descriptive or more abstracted. It hangs in a balance that doesn't quite satisfy either aesthetic path. An interesting image nonetheless.

Entry 4463345
784th
8
Expert
winner

This is such a satisfying image. A beautiful use of negative space. And the graduation of tone on the underside of the balcony is something I've got lost in for some time. The lack of context in light and form confuses the eye in a delightful way, playing with perspective. This also gives it a serene quality. In addition I wanted to say that although this is an iconic building you have captured it in such a way as to make it your own and present it anew. Well done and congratulations.

1,488 Images entered

518 Photographers

Entry 4329167
5th
38
Entry 4560751
7th
55

Meet the expert judge

I just loved the abstraction and textures in this image. The eye plays over the rich tones searching for context. The light adding new forms and amplifying the dislocation. All this, a delight to the eye. I find myself looking and not quite believing what I see. Always searching more and finding new nuances.

Entry 4450539
1050th
199

37,743 Ratings

Entry 4413020
16th
1
391
Entry 4456600
557th
19
Entry 4472229
37th
137

A really mesmerising image here. So simple a concept but executed expertly. I love how the tone and the shadow on the earth between the rows of green gently changes across the picture in contrast to the consistent perfection of the other. And of course everything is punctuated by the water jets perpendicular to everything else, with that wonderful etherial haze. The innovative abstract perspective really makes this photo. Great work.

Entry 4472231
3rd
194
Entry 4472232
2nd
521
Entry 4484044
28th
129
Entry 4485037
613th
191
Entry 4551998
1325th
31
Entry 4555793
211th
44
Entry 4558829
1422nd
43
Crowd
winner

I simply adore how graphic this photograph is. Looking at it one feel it could have easily been crafted by pencil and an accurate ruler in two dimensions. An exercise in perspective and precision. The attention to detail in the composition, the leading lines in the bottom corners and that vibrant punctuation of colour, become all the more impressive when we realise it is a photo, not a drawing. Some stunning work here.

Brief

See more contest details

***This contest is open to subscribers (members on the Challenger, Pro and Master subscription tiers). However if you're not a paying subscriber you can still purchase entries for £2 (GBP) per image.*** Straight lines are a very effective compositional element in photographs. They can come in any form, whether manmade or natural, and can be used to guide the eyes in any direction. Whether you choose to focus on straight lines in a literal sense, as patterns, or broaden your focus to situations where they occur in a more abstract way is up to you.