Towels

I like the casual way these towels are piled on top of each other. The folds and shades of colour add intrigue to the image and I’m sure a greater interest than if they had been carefully arranged in a disciplined way. The strong light gives depth and shape to the towels and, more importantly, they are in perfect focus.

The description of this towel suggests that it’s ready for the wash. If it was obviously soiled, I’m not sure that it would have made such a pleasant picture – although you could never call this one “spotless”! It’s been cleverly folded to show both sides with the top coming just half way down the frame. A simple but satisfying shot!

I loved this outstanding image of Mr Warburton at work! Not just the humour but the detail that’s included, such as the sign and Mr Warburton’s glasses flying through the air. This is a carefully composed shot that’s taken time, skill, and consideration to complete and I’m most grateful the investment taken for a minor contest like this. Not only does the title exceed the ‘norm’ but the image itself displays exceptional control of light. Apart from my eyes focussing on the photographer and his model more than the towel (which was supposed to be the subject of my contest), there’s just one nagging doubt I have about this image, and that’s about the authenticity of this incident: I’d have expected a man of Mr Warburton’s experience and standing to have seen it all before! Evidence that photography can be an art form and give life to an otherwise dull subject. Speaking of evidence, this is also a reminder that not everything in a photograph may be a faithful reproduction of the fact. The enjoyment of photography comes from the pleasure it gives.

06 I love the title of this monochrome image. The elephant stands out, thanks to the effective use of lighting and creative angle of capture. The highlights and shadows give it definition and depth, so that the details in the folds stand out to be admired. To top it all, the image is perfectly framed with a nice balance of surrounding background and no clipping of the artform.

I like this imaginative way to capture a plain subject such as a towel. The colour catches the observer’s attention to cause them to study it a little longer. The masterful use of lighting gives the towel texture and shape which would not have been accomplished if the towel had been lying flat. Indeed, this is a magical image - but the less said about the Sorcerer, maybe the better…

This wonderful composition has gorgeous colour tones but, best of all, it comes to life with the diagonal arrangement. I expect them to have been laid horizontally but, by taking them at an angle, the image has added artistic interest. Well done for being creative with your photography.

This is a perfectly composed shot of a very simple subject, yet it contains so much detail to entertain the eye. The subject is the towels, as confirmed by the title, but the door adds interest as well as framing the scene. I love the symmetry and subdued tones. It would have been so tempting to place three (or even five) loud coloured towels here to draw attention to them but I found these three unobtrusive ones rather comforting.

This is a striking shot that stands out by being so different from a field of colourful towels. The subject may be more of a clothes peg than the towel, but that helps to get it all into perspective and, without, we may have less idea of what the picture was about. I like the minimalist aspect of this image and the diagonal composition. The title is imaginative and explains the lovely lighting.

A common subject, but this one stood out for me. The focus is very much on the towels, the background detail being lost in a beautiful bokeh. Although the tips of their tails are clipped, this is done evenly, so becomes less of a distraction. So well has the detail of these swans been captured that you could even work out how to re-create one for yourself (although I expect a degree of practice might be required to achieve such perfection). A lovely shot that captures a heart shape as a bonus.

Someone took some time to fold these two towels this way and they are, indeed a delight. The darker background helps to show off their form better than one of a similar colour would have done and the lighting has helped you to capture their clever shape. I’d have tried to get them a little more central in the frame but at least you haven’t clipped off any wings!

I love the subdued Mediterranean colours of this street scene, with a solitary towel hanging on a line. There is a perfect balance between the window, towel and the shadows. The white of the towel and its central position is what initially caught my eye, before I became fascinated by the practicality of a washing line like this: How easy it is to reach. What happens when you drop a peg – and why is the shadow so different…

I love the way these towels are simply piled together in a ‘natural’ way, also that the colours are not particularly coordinated. Whilst a ‘rainbow order’ of carefully folded and similar towels has artistic merit, this one is more documentary. They are something more akin to domestic rigor than having been set-up for display. The stack sits perfectly within a white background, which provides a sense of cleanliness.

You submitted another image like this, which created a more creative and stronger shadow, but my contest was about towels rather than shadows and I have rewarded this one more for its originality and the fact that you can work out how the shadow was formed from the towel. This was quite different to the other art forms submitted. Although you suggest that this was simply a shadow waiting to be discovered, I’m pretty sure there were some creative adjustments made to improve on the original sighting. Well done for spotting and capturing it in the way you have.

I admire the way that the towelling underneath the flower (Soap in a tray?) has been wrinkled as if to create ripples in the water that a lily is floating in. The colours blend together well and, although the focus is more on the flower in the centre, I like it!