Textures

This image stood out for me as soon as I saw it and it was always the one to beat. The unusual composition was the initial draw, being both immediately recognisable despite the relatively tiny amount of the animal visible, yet also quite abstract. Angle of view is spot-on, taken in direct profile, which makes for a more impactful shot and allows lots of detail to be revealed. I especially like the fine details of the hairy chin, the soft nostrils, the overhanging top lip, and the subtle textural details of the skin further up the snout. The image leaves me in no doubt how the subject would feel to the touch, which is exactly what I was looking for. Congratulations on your winning image.

I love the abstract nature of this image - whilst it is recognisable as part of a giraffe, the way it has been captured invites a second look. The texture of the skin has been wonderfully captured, along with the short tufty mane, which gives good insight into how the creature would feel to the touch. Due to the patterning on the skin, the image works well in low-key black and white, creating an image full of impact. Congratulations on your second place finish.

Despite the slightly softer edge to this image, the textures have been really well captured throughout. The lighting is great, and the area of metal highlighted really brings the subject to life, and the smoothish/matte texture and cool feel is clearly evident. I also like the way the ridges and other features have been lit too, again contributing to a fabulous textural shot. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

A imple everyday subject, but captured with stunning detail. It is always a bit hit and miss when carving into fruit and vegetables for photography, as you can never know quite how the inside structures will be laid out from one subject to another. Here though everything looks to have worked out well, as there are a great variety of textured surfaces on display, superbly captured. Lighting is great, with a good range of tones, but nothing too bright or too deep in shadow. The vivid red adds a lovely pop to the image too. Well done on your top ten placing.

I could not help but be drawn to this rather delightful dog, looking a little sorrowful as it poses for the shot. Lighting has caught the raggy textures of the dog's hair perfectly, standing out well against the black backdrop. Many images in this contest tended to be over-sharpened in an effort to bring out more textural detail, but in my view that rarely works well and is easily over-done as to be false and unattractive. Not so here though, as everything looks quite natural, as one would expect to see on this charmingly delightful hairy hound! Well done on your top ten placing.

This image is a perfect example in conveying to the viewer the texture of the subject. The lighting is spot-on, as it provides suitable shadow and highlight to reveal the form of the garments and the textures of the surfaces. We can tell from looking exactly how the garments would feel; the softness and the thickness. I also like that the subject fills the frame, with the wooden hangers giving context, but no distracting elements in the frame. Colours look natural too. Congratulations on your third place finish.

This is such striking image it cannot possibly be ignored. The precision of the composition, and setting the subject against a black backdrop, all add impact to the shot. The details of the textured surface of the chameleon's skin are in clear focus without being over-sharpened, and I also like the ridge detail down the back. The colouring works well, with great contrasts, but you have avoided any temptation to over-saturate the yellows. Super shot, well done on your top ten placing.

A strong photographic eye has realised the potential for a great shot in something as simple as a pice of hessian sacking. The fabric has been casually arranged, but to good effect, so a number of curls and folds are included in the frame, to add interest and offer plenty for the eye to explore. Creatively lit to make the most of the subject and highlight those all-important textures. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

A great detail shot, capturing all the textures of a pair of denim jeans. The shallow depth of field draws the eye to just a small part of the subjct, but there is much variety there, from the weave of the fabric, the stitching, and the details on the stud buttons. Great colour contrasts between the denim blue and the golden stitching and buttons complete a very effective image. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.