The Great Outdoors - Landscapes with People

This image has captured a real sense of the place, and makes me want to draw in a deep breath of fresh air as I admire this spectacular scenry, as if I had been transported to the hilltop. You have captured some lovely lighting, softly illuminating the landscape under a cloudy sky with a gentle warmth of colour. The walkers and accompanying dog are well positioned within the frame to be part of the composition, but not a distraction. I also like the slightly wider aspect of the shot, as it invites us to witness a more panoramic view. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

This image captured my attention from when I first saw it, and it was always in my top ten. I am unsure of the light source (especially as the shot is tagged with "night"), but whatever the light source, you have captured it fabulously to bring a real sense of wonder and beauty to the shot. The conversion to black and white has been very well handled, with a range of tones from white to black. The figure is quite small in the frame, but the lighting and composition ensures they are a key part of the composition. I know the inclusion of a person was essential for this contest, but this is one of those shots which I think are made many times stronger by the inclusion of a figure. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

I love this wintery scene, with the two walkers heading along the track into the near distance. The scene is well exposed with the snow retaining its bluey-white brightness, without bing over or under-exposed. The walkers are classically positioned on the upper right third line, balanced by the peak on the left. Importantly you have also captured plenty of details in tbe foreground with the rough track and clumps of snow, giving plenty for the eye to explore. The colouring of the image conveys a real sense of winter chill and crisp fresh air. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

Another image in the top ten which has superbly captured that sense of wonder and awe at the magnificance of nature and being outdoors in the landscape. For me the image has far more power by the inclusion of the figure (yourself, I understand from the title), which is why I created this contest, to elevte images above a simple landscape, to something which captures human experience and enables the viewer to imagine themselves into the scene. Super exposure, with little touches of golden highlights on the mossy/grassy boulders in the foreground, and the figure lit just enough to be clearly visible, but not a distraction. Beautiful capture, well done on your top ten finish.

In this contest I was not especially looking for obviously posed shots with the subject looking to the camera. There was something about this image however which caught my attention, as it seemed to capture everything I was looking to see in this contest - a photographically well executed image, a stunning landscape, and that elusive sense of freedom and the lifting of the spirits when venturing for leisure into the great outdoors. Your position on the rocky peak really captures the story of physical effort, achievement and pleasure. Well exposed and focused, especially considering you were shooting a "selfie". Lovely image, well done on your top ten placing.

In this contest I was looking for images which conveyed to me the pure pleasure and sense of freedom and wonder that can be experienced by venturing into the great outdoors. It does not matter how exotic the view or the extreme fitness levels someone may need to take part in an activity - it is about the feeling of experiencing something wonderful in nature. For me this image captures all that. Composition is spot on with the central sun over the horizon and the partially silhouetted figure over to the left - an obvious part of the composition, but still allowing the viewer to experience this beautiful scene. Exposure has been well handled in challenging conditions shooting into the light, and the contrast of cooler blues and warmer golden shades is lovely. I imagine this was a posed shot, but it retains a calm and casual feel, especially with the inclusion of the backpack which hints at travel and adventure. A beautiful image, congratulations on your top placing.

This is a fabulous high contrast black and white image. Whilst the figures are very tiny within the frame, their positioning against the bright snow ensures they are a key element of the composition. Highlights and shadws have been equally well handled, as the snow is not burnt out, and we can catch glimpses of detail in the stormy sky and dark wooded landscape. A super image, capturing the mood and the action of the dog sledder. Well done on your top ten finish.

This is certainly a "wow" location I am sure many of us could never hope to see for ourselves due to the physical challenges involved. The viewpoint from within the cave is an obvious success, as we get to see aspects of both the cave interior and the view. Your composition works really well, with the cave opening and positioning of the climbers in the frame just right to produce a balanced image. Your exposure of the shot has been very well handled too, in what I imagine were challenging shooting conditions when photographing from what is effectively indoors, shooting out into the bright light. Nice and sharp throughout too. A super image, congratulations on your second place finish.

There is something about this image which for me sums up the joy of hiking in the coutryside. The tall stone on the left gives a great point of interest in the foreground and both balances and adds to the dynamic of the shot. The walker has been captured in a perfect mid-stride position, with map in hand adding to a sense of new discovery and adventure. The walker is large enough in the frame to be a key focus, but not too large as to obliterate the beautiful landscape from view. This is one of those images which makes me wish I was there. A great image, well done on your top ten placing.