The Weather

Firstly an overall comment: In judging this nature-themed contest, I wanted to award images where the weather/nature element of the image was as natural as possible. There were many entries where the weather element of the shot was not natural and had been digitally created, or created through composite and adjustment of may elements, such as lightning, mist, waves etc. Whilst I generally do not have a problem with composites and digitally created elements, I have tried to keep my awards to images I believe were a genuine result of the weather, occurring in that location, at the time of capture.

On to the winning image: This image stood out as a likely winner from the start, and was one of the few which drew an audible "wow" from me when I first saw the entry. Beautifully simple, capturing the stillness and the chill of the landscape. Well composed, and your exposure and tonal contrast of the shot is spot on for me, soft enough to create a mood, with just enough contrast for the key subjects to be clearly seen. Quiet, calm and still (and cold!), a beautiful image. Congratulations on your win.

This "weather" contest was never intended to be a "winter weather" contest, but most of the entries chose to depict the weather of the current season. This is the only image in my top ten which is not a wintery scene, but although there are obvious signs of autumn, we still get a sense of chill and damp from the soft grey mist. I like the gentle colouring throughout, with the greens and oranges not over-saturated, in keeping with the autumnal mists, and the scene has been well exposed to maintain the mood, without looking dull. A gentle scene, very pleasing on the eye - well done on your top ten placing.

This image is so simple, but this simplicity makes for a very successful shot. The image format works well with the subject, and I like how you have retained just enough little details on the ground to avoid the trees looking like they are floating on a sea of white. I am not sure whether the birds have been added or were as taken, but they give some interest to the white sky. It would be great to see photos of this small copse in different seasons and weathers - I imaging the difference would be quite dramatic, but maybe none as successful as this. Lovely image, well done on your top ten placing.

For me the success of this image is in the lovely contrast of colour, between the chilly frosty blues and the lovely pale golden trees. You have captured a great sense of the winter, very cold, but very beautiful, a rich reward for those who venture out into the landscape in the colder months. A simple subject, but very well captured, well done on your top ten placing.

This image has captured the passing storm in a very natural way. Several images in this contest looked to be a result of much digital "trickery" and very heavy editing, but I prefer the look of nature, more as it would have been seen with the eye. I love the limited colour palette, and the weak sunlight illuminating small matches of the hillsides, before the downpour arrives. Well captured - I hope you managed to escape the deluge yourself without getting too wet! Great work, well done.

What a magnificent vista you have captured here, in a location most of us could only dream of visiting. You mention in your description the higher mountains beyond which are obliterated by the cloud, but it enables us to just imagine the wonders beyond. Great detail in the mountains throughout the shot from front to back, and the mist has retained a softness which adds to the naturalness of your image. Lovely colouring, mainly cool tones with just a slight hint of warmer pinky greys. Beautiful image, great work.

I really love this image. Great subject selection, very well composed, with good balance within the shot. The buildings are the clear focal point, but there is just enough surrounding to avoid them looking too enclosed within the frame. The colouring in the shot has been very carefully handled, as with the rich red and yellow of the buildings, it would have been easy to be tempted to ramp up the saturation too far. If you had done that, the mood and the winter chill would have been lost, and the naturalness gone. A charming winter scene, great work.

Looking at this well composed image makes me want to draw in a deep breath of crisp fresh air. You have captured this wonderful scene in a very natural way, most apt for the location and subject. Many would prefer to take such an image without people "spoiling" the view, but for me they add to the image, giving a sense of scale, and leads us to imagine it could be us standing there too, drinking in the scenery. Beautiful colouring, with the delicate peachy pinks slightly warming the chilly blues of the scene. Lovely image, well done on your top three placing.