Tables

It’s the stark contrast of the infrared rendition that provides the instant impact here. As the image is being viewed using a wavelength of light not visible to the naked eye, it has made the tree foliage appear unreal and more ethereal. That said, it’s also a very agreeable composition, with a strong focal point and leading lines.

Je ne sais pas. I find this image strangely compelling. I really like how the glimpse of dashboard and raindrops on the windscreen adds depth to the scene and even adds a sense of mystery. The ordinariness of the view is complemented by the very muted tones.

I much prefer the version of this image with the gull. rather than the one without. It undeniably captures the eye and is more visually interesting than just the table and chairs. People and animals naturally draw attention which is why many digital cameras now have focus detection modes specifically for that purpose.

This is a great example of observation, concentrating on detail rather than the overall scene. Water droplets are a proven way to enhance visual appeal, and they’re particularly effective here. The black and white presentation benefits the composition, but I especially like the use of a fast, wide-open aperture. This has the foreground elements in sharp focus, which gradually tapers off into the background.

Spontaneously captured street scenes like this are naturally fascinating. Who doesn’t enjoy people watching? This shot cleverly uses window reflections to reveal the main subject’s perspective. I also quite like how some other faces are clearly depicted. A minor criticism is the white borders that haven’t been cropped out.

This picnic study has a touch of Renoir about it. The composition is deceptively effective, with no one looking at the camera and instead looking away. My eye is drawn in by the leading lines of the table towards the selectively coloured canal boat, clearly the focal point. It’s a wonderfully charming documentary image of everyday life.

It’s great to see a fisheye lens used creatively to capture this appealing perspective. I particularly like how the extra low viewpoint makes the starlings appear so much larger than we normally see them. The lens’s wide field of view has also nicely emphasised the table's leading lines.

This is undoubtedly the most technically intricate image submitted for this contest and the effort has clearly paid off. I’m a great admirer of the skills and dedication required for astro-photography especially when it comes to precisely placing the Milky Way core in the frame. I’m also a fan of proper multi-image panoramas so the execution of this image is doubly impressive.

This is a well-observed example of the effect that the right light can make on even normal everyday objects. Direct sunlight has transformed this ordinary street scene into a visually striking image. The shadows of the table and chairs are projected onto the straight lines of the paving, creating graphic contrast and abstract patterns.

I absolutely love these shots featuring wall murals. This one is no exception and really shines in black and white. Perhaps the overall balance of the scene could be improved by including a person or people at the table. Additionally, I’d like to see a bit more space on the left of the frame so that the lady’s face is not cropped as tightly.

It’s the bold, bright colours and balanced composition that are most visually appealing here. Ultimately, it’s the person sitting in the background that adds that extra sparkle. Positioned on a third, they are a natural focal point with their pose giving a documentary vibe to the overall scene.

With the champagne already opened, the creator of this image must have anticipated a win! As is so often the case, the lighting is the key element. The lamp nicely defines the outline of the glass flutes and warmly irradiates the scene, shining across and through the table to create a strange abstract pattern throughout the majority of the image.

Of the many grand interior shots of tables entered for this contest, I particularly warmed to this one. What I really like is the light balance between the inside and outside. Whether some form HDR or exposure blending technique has been employed here or not, it’s done very well as the scene lighting appears so natural, which for me is exactly how it should be.

This beautifully illustrates the mantra ‘it’s all about the light’. The crepuscular rays illuminate the subject framed by the trees, creating a wonderfully evocative and naturally balanced composition. I also like how the vignette in post-processing helps draw attention to the spotlit table.

This is a wonderful rendition of a ‘romantic ruin’ that’s unequivocally on theme for this contest. It’s the splendidly subtle artistic post-processing that makes this image really stand out for me. It simply wouldn’t have been such a strong contender otherwise.