Thank you for your entry into 'The Spirit of Trees'. There were many exceptional images entered into this competition - but this was my favourite. You have met the artistic interpretation of the brief! Composition is perfect in my view - colour toning is just phenomenal. I love the small details - stray grass, leaves blowing, dark clouds etc. When you consider how many ways this could have been edited - the decisions you made and the way you presented it demonstrate a great level of skill and awareness. I love the visual style and atmosphere. This scene would make for an interesting seasonal study (if that was actually possible). Gives me great pleasure to award you 1st Place out of over 1600 entries! Very well done.
1,619 Images entered
Thank you for your entry into 'The Spirit of Trees'. Your image really caught my eye. Beautiful composition - nice cloud movement contrasting against the sharp foreground. Colour and lighting is well chosen. I particularly like your decision to keep the lone tree(s) in the background of the frame. It makes me wonder what magical land lay beyond the horizon. Despite no obvious path leading to the foreground trees - I still want to step into this scene and explore. Great work and worthy award winner.
Thank you for your entry into 'The Spirit of Trees'. Superbly composed with the positioning of the sun burst (and mist burst) - you've controlled the light and lens flare exceptionally well. The cobweb suspended in the sun beam is wonderful. You've managed to see a complicated scene and strip is down to its fundamentals very quickly. Well done.
Thank you for your entry into 'The Spirit of Trees'. Your image really caught my eye out over 1600 entries! Silver Birch is often overlooked in woodland but they have a real character of their own. Very strong composition here and you managed to capture some nice fleeting light. Excellent sense of processing - I particularly enjoy the colour toning. This would make a wonderful study through the seasons. Great job
Thank you for your entry into 'The Spirit of Trees'. This is a stunning view and composition. Long exposure works so well. Its all about the outcrop and that beautiful lone tree! The colour toning is spot on - love the brown leaves against the grey rock and steps. Overall, very thought provoking. A great image and worthy award winner. Well done.
1,232 Photographers
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Brief
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This contest is open to all lovers of trees, forests and woodland. There are few environments which present greater opportunity (and challenge) to make beautiful images. Maybe you see the finer details and like to concentrate on certain aspects (leafs, moss covered trunks, foliage/plants, streams, micro habitats etc) or perhaps you like to take a step back and shoot lone trees and dense forests from afar. The key to this contest is to submit your best photos that capture the true essence/spirit/atmosphere of woodland. What stories/messages do these environments convey to you? Will you be the one who can share this through your image making? Be creative, spiritual, arty in your interpretation of this brief. Utilise colour, b&w, light, weather, seasons, technique etc to maximum effect. The winning image will be the one which connects the viewer to some deeper feeling or meaning. I will select and critique my two favourite images - which may differ from the crowd ratings! Good luck
64,912 Ratings
Thank you for your entry into 'The Spirit of Trees'. This image stood out for me on a number of levels - I'm a fan of radiation fog (fog that sits close to the ground and gradually rises) and the colour toning is beautiful! You've managed to capture the warm light and surrounding cold very well. None of the colours appear over saturated and they sit nicely balanced together. The positioning of the cloud on the right was a gift and assists the composition. The only thing I may have done different would be to get a little lower and tighter into the foreground tree. Having said that - when you get light as beautiful as this its best not to waste time! A very pleasant image and worthy award winner. Well done.
Thank you for your entry into 'The Spirit of Trees'. This shot has a really strong composition and the POV is perfect. Black and White on a snowy day was a well considered option. If there was one thing I could change - it would be the choice of processing and intensity. I think this image would lend itself equally to a subtle and gentle treatment. You've discovered an amazing location - worth visiting in all seasons! Very well done.
