Towers, Turrets and Minarets

Viewing towers from above is opposite of how we are used to viewing them (from ground-level looking up). In this instance, the two towers are surrounded by contemporary buildings squeezing their space. They now seem like little plants struggling to find space and light over their domineering neighbours.

Looking up a structure such as a lighthouse will result in an expanse of sky within the frame. Making an exposure at night provides opportunity to include what we know is always there, but which we rarely see clearly. In this instance, the photographer has done all the hard work to capture and enhance this scene, revealing the incredibly star-strewn night sky. It has also highlighted the bright shafts of light emitted by the lighthouse.

An elevated, telephoto view of a mosque nestled in a compact city with rugged mountains behind. A striking scene is dramatically reinforced by the mix of colours from the dusk light. The artificial lights flooding the minarets and domes of the mosque grab one's attention. The balance of lighting provides highlights, plenty of information in the city surrounds and much drama overall. Excellent photograph.

When we picture "towers, turrets and minarets" on our mind's eye, we do not see an image such as this. This dramatic upward view from a ground-level courtyard position, is a refreshing approach to take for this subject. Perfectly composed, it is the neurtral almost-clear blue sky which becomes our point of focus. Our mind completes the picture — we know that the structure jutting into our blue space is a tower. Clever and successful.

Using the reflected image of heritage architecture against its modern counterpoint, provides a novel rendition of this 'old-new' trope. I particularly like the fact that the towers are reshaped by the curvy glass. This provides a note of movement and drama.

A simple, backlit composition of three towers and spires, introduces an intriguing residual outcome. Whilst we clearly recognise and appreciate the shapes of the darkened towers, the sky, in turn creates reciprocol 'towers' in between (albeit upside down). If the image were flipped vertically this would be revealed.

Towers are usually tall and thin structures. This photograph counters that notion. The tight composition has compressed them within the frame so they look short and stocky. The warmth of the stone balances the cool of the clear, blue sky.

The tight crop of a city scene provides little information besides the reflected shape of a tower in the glazed facade of an office building. The sign and the red double-decker bus suggests we are in London. With this knowledge we can then determine that the 'wobbly' tower reflection is of the BT Communication Tower, a now famous, heritage listed landmark structure.

This is a deceptively simple photograph, made using clear, bright backlighting, which casts the subject, Salisbury Cathedral, in dramatic silhouette. The tower and spire are perfectly placed in the centre of frame. The cross at its apex neatly visible at top. This simple, centred composition presents the structure as solid and commanding, neatly offset by the small and slender mini-spires. What is also pleasing is the subtle, but surprisingly plentiful, information in the shadows. This indicates the photographer has an excellent grasp of exposure control and how to balance it with highlight information to maximum effect. Excellent.

The bulbous tower of this Orthodox church popping above the canopy of trees, is both odd and striking. The photographer has composed this thoughtfully: the key elements — tower, foliage, sky — are perfectly balanced. Nothing appears out of place.

The brief for this contest required information about context for our principle subjects. In this view — sweeping over rooftops in Prague — we see many towers and spires, and sundry other architectural information as well. The far horizon provides timbered hills and bright sky to further lift those tower tips from the frame.

A classic landscape view across a body of water to a narrow strip of land beyond. Jutting up from this consistent band of foliage is a tiny, thin tower and spire. Highlighted by late afternoon sunlight along its edge, it is a sharp, contrasty element that cannot be missed. Its verticality is reinforced by its rippled reflection in the water below.

Using a foreground subject to 'frame' your principle subject is a simple approach to make an interesting photograph. That is certainly the case with this photograph. Not only does it neatly reinforce the key subject, the tower, but the timing of the photograph has reinforced this. The twilight hues provide a cool counterpoint to the warmer flood lights that highlight the tower. The framing structure in the foregound is striking and not completely visible, which adds a note of mystery. The silhouetted figures provide a sense of movement, scale and drama to the scene. Great photograph.

This is a simple, yet satisfying photograph. The compositional device of looking down a narrow laneway will almost always draw one's eye to one point in the horizon. In this instance, at that point is the subject of the photograph (and this contest more specifically). It neatly presents a white tower surrounded by a clean, clear blue sky. The additional information we glean along the way reveals the varied architectural facades and features of the lane. This provides context, scale and an added atmosphere.