Sweeping Curves

There were so many images of this staircase but I selected this one for a commendation because it contains a little more than the others. You can see that it comprises two sets of helical steps because both of the ends are visible at the ground level. I also like the fact that there are people on both flights, showing the steps in use, and you can see that they travelling in different directions: one to go up, and the other for descending.

I’m sure that this colourful building would look good from any angle. The cladding has been well-considered to provide a satisfying combination of colour. Credit must then be given to the photographer, for finding an angle that shows it off to good effect. I love not just the colours, but the way you have captured their sweeping lines, which was the subject of this contest.

This is an innovative shot of what I assume to be an impressive art work, designed to catch the eye. It may look good from its intended viewpoint but, by seeking another angle, you may have found a more interesting image. I wonder if those bottles contain anything, it would seem a waste to fill them with Whiskey!

The sweeping curves of aircraft in flight are not so apparent until a smoke trail is applied. This image is a great shot of a well-practiced curve by an aerobatic team. Credit should be given for being in the right place at the right time, with the right settings, to capture and compose this impressive image. Splendid!

This is a mesmerising image and thank you for explaining how it was produced. You have created a remarkable piece of work, which could so easily have been over-cooked. I love your creative interpretation of “sweeping curves” and commend you for your effort.

I love the dreamy appearance of this shot. At first, I struggled with the central position of the top, but it works. The inclusion of the moving subject adds a final touch that adds to the ‘sweeping curves’ theme, before the eye turns to admire the structure of this lighthouse and consider the distance to the top…

This is a beautiful image, although I have no idea where it has come from or how it was produced. The colours are eye-catching and there’s some fascinating detail to entertain the eye. I’d have preferred a perfectly square format, or even one further up the Fibonacci series, to complement the fractal relationship.

This must represent a perfect spiral. You may think that this contest was about spirals, judging from the number of such staircases in it, but this one is different. Nature’s spirals must be close to perfect and this image is perfectly composed. Even the colours are a delight to behold, although that might have been the choice of the Chameleon!

I loved this almost surreal image. I’d just love to travel along this road and enjoy the sights it promises to deliver. Many might prefer a direct motorway but there is so much to enjoy that I wouldn’t want to rush the experience. You could say that this sweeping curve of a road has swept me away!

If you first climbed to the top of these stairs, congratulations on managing to keep the camera still! Perhaps you already had in mind how good the view might be from the top, given the fortuitous colour of the railing, which provides an interesting line, back to the point from which you started. I also admire the fitness of anyone reaching the top when handicapped by a bag-full of photographic gear!

I hadn’t thought of this kind of image when I set out the brief for this contest, so well done for thinking ‘outside the box’. This is full of catenaries and even different sizes of dew drops. So much to study, if that kind of thing fascinates you, but it certainly caught my attention.

I enjoy a play on words and that is how this image gains entry into my top ten. I feel that an image is incomplete without a title, however simple, but this has a good one and there is little doubt about a sweeping curve.

This shot is absolutely brilliant! It was so refreshing to find such an admirable image between so many spirals! A bit more information about the circumstances under which it was captured would be beneficial but that does not detract from the crisp edges and contrasting colour combinations that provide so much interest.

What an inspired choice! Who’d have thought that a boring subject, such as this, could entertain the eye for as long as it did mine? I have studied the swirls, to track the motion of application of the suds, and then the bubbles that they consist of. Thank you so much for discovering something different and contributing to my contest!

I was inspired to set this contest when passing under a brick-built bridge in a narrowboat. I only had time for one shot as we slid underneath the structure, having been struck (metaphorically) by the gracious lines of bricks flowing diagonally across its underside. They were laid in straight lines at an angle, rather like those of a cooling tower, to provide a sound supporting structure and lines of gracious curves. I must make more effort to review my shots before moving-on because the result was not what I had hoped for. Instead, I used an image I had to hand of a staircase in Melk Abbey and I feel that that image may have persuaded so many of you to seek out similar spirals in your entries. It’s nothing that I regret - there was still a good number of other interpretations - and spirals are very pleasing to the eye anyway. Once you’ve seen one spiral, particularly of the same staircases, you can start to believe that you’ve “seen them all” and it can become difficult to discriminate. Never-the-less, I’ve made my choices and tried to share-out commendations across the full spectrum of entries. I hope you enjoy reviewing the results. You will see that, although spirals may dominate, there are many other subjects that present a sweeping curve.

I was delighted to see this late submission to the contest. It is inspired, original, and stood out from the crowd (although many may not recognise your talent). A spiral it may be, but this one looks like it could even be tasty and its ingredients cleverly describe how to construct a Fibonacci curve (the recipe could interesting). Having taken so much care to present this story, I would have cropped it in proportion to the Golden Rule (13x8 maybe), but that’s the mathematician in me seeking perfection. Well done for creating a unique solution to this wide subject.

This is a fascinating image of sweeping curves. I’m not sure how much the use of a fish-eye has introduced additional curvatures but the result is almost enough to persuade me to get one. We should thank the architect for providing such flowing lines, then I thank the photographer for creating this interesting point of view.

This is a beautifully well-composed shot of what I assume to be a modern staircase. Having seen this, it makes me want to know more about it and even get to capture it for myself, should I ever get the opportunity.

These sweeping curves provide a wonderful leading line to the display jests creating their vapour trail. Although it appears to be a dull day (no blue sky) the colours blend well and the picture is well-composed. Well done for being ready and able to capture this stunning shot!