Symmetry

This image shows such strong symmetry I initially thought it must be an photo which has been flipped to create the symmetry. However closer inspection reveals the image instead shows well captured natural symmetry of the architecture. Positioning of the camera is vital in a shot such as this, and just a fraction out either way can ruin the effect. Here though you have recognised the potential for a great image, and positioned yourself perfectly to best capture the scene. Lighting conditions look to be fairly tricky with a lot of contrast, but exposure has been well handled to avoid any areas of harsh bright highlight or deep shadow. The tiny figure positioned in the centre of the frame adds to the shot too. Congratulations on your winning image.

This was an image I kept coming back to, and eventually decided it should be placed. I am sure this little fellow is just minding his own business doing what frogs do, but there is an element of comedy to the image which I like. Focus on the eyes looks sharp, and the blurring of the surrounding water makes the creature stand out further. I like that you have not been tempted to crop in further, as I think the relatively small size of the frog within the frame makes the image stronger. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

This is a very cleverly created image, and is so well done it could almost be real. By retaining the sky and its reflection in the water as one seamless feature, along with the single boat, you have created something quite different to images which have simply been flipped along a vertical horizontal or vertical line. I do not know how much of the scene existed together and was caught as one capture (sky, buildings, boat etc) but everything has been placed together very harmoniously. Lighting is lovely, and I love the tones and colours, with the orangy red shades contrasting well with the turquoisy blues. Fabulous composite image, congratulations on your second place finish.

A delightful capture of the loch and distant castle under the pinky skies around sunrise. The reflection looks to be natural and gives some sense of the beauty of the scene you must have experienced by being present at the time. Exposure of the shot looks spot on, as there is enough light to illuminate the land, but still retaining a darker look to indicate the time of day before the sun breaks the horizon, and also shows off the lovely sky. Being picky, it is a shame that you felt the need to add a digital signature to the image, which almost cost it a top ten placing, as I find the added watermark unnecessary, rather distracting and actually spoils the image as would a photographic flaw. It is however just small enough to be ignored. Otherwise a great image, well done on your top ten placing.

I know Northampton well, but have not visited this fairly recent addition to the town, and this image certainly tempts me to go and take a look. With the added double mirroring effect it is difficult to get a sense of the real scene, but that does not matter as this is not a documentary photo, but a creative abstract formed by the architecture and bare tree. I love the colour contrasts between the cool blues and the warm orangy browns, which is a further draw to the image. Being picky, I do not like the added digital frame with signature, which may be fine to hang on the wall, but for me is unnecessary and rather distracting on contest entries. However, the main part of the image is very strong, so I chose to ignore the frame and watermark. Great abstract image, well done on your top ten placing.

The blue toning of this monochrome image somehow gives a sinister edge to the shot, along with the subdued lighting. Exposure of the shot has been done well, as there is still enough light to see detail, but plenty of darkness to add to the mood. The image has clearly been flipped in processing to create the symmetry, but I really like the removal (or addition) of the bag on one version of the striding figure, as it adds to a sense of mystery and unease. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

This is a real "wow" shot for me. The lighting is gorgeouus, and the shapes of the mountains and scree slopes which have been reflected in the calm waters show a raw beauty. I love the overall cool colours, with just a hint of warmer peachy pinks in the clouds, and it gives a real sense of northern chill. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

The use of a telephoto lens has compressed the perspective which somehow seems to pull us into the frame to the lone tree amongst the vines. I love the rich golden colours, and the misty softness of the image in the background creates a lovely feel to the shot. Focusing, lighting and point of view etc are all spot on, to create a lovely capture of this rural agricultural scene. Lovely image, well done on your top ten placing.

This image was a late entry to my top ten, but it stood out as being a little different from a lot of the entries, which tended to focus on waterscape reflections or architecture. Here instead we see the wierd and wonderful world of the inside of a fig. Lighting is good, and the relatively wide aperture used means everything is in sharp focus. I love the richness of the red flesh contrasting with the green skins, and the backdrop suits the scene too. I am a little uncertain over the overall crop, and it would be interesting to see if the image is even stronger if there were a little more space surrounding the subject, or alternatively an even tighter crop. Still a great image however, well done on your top ten placing.

This image has been captured with perfect timing as the beautiful swan breaks the calm surface of the water as it comes in to land. The reflection allows us to see more of the shape and splendour of the bird, as we can see the underside too in the perfect reflection. Although this contest allowed for digitally created reflections through mirroring and flipping images etc, I like the natural symmetry of this image. I also like the capture and inclusion of the water trail behind the bird, as it adds to the sense of movement. The image rose up through my placings during the reviews, and is a shot that I increasingly appreciate the more I look. Congratulations on your third place finish.