Toy Stories

I chose this image for my top 10 because it tells a really rich story in a very ingenious yet simple (looking) way. I love how the dino is out-of-focus so that the prison it has just escaped really is the subject of the image, adding that richness to the story (letting me contemplate what it was like for Dino as it scratched the days away prior to the break).

This looks deceptively simple to have set up; however, the arrangement of daisies seems to me to be perfect, especially the nearest of them. The precision of the arrangement makes it clear the photographer knew exactly what they were doing in order to get the shot.

I debated whether a more intimate square crop would enhance the image, but I feel the extra space to the left adds to the 'alone and lost' feel - although the yellow bud to the left is a little distracting.

The character and the treatment however are in perfect sympathy, a really strong image.

The curve of the sweep of photos on the right coupled with the curl of the page to the left gives this highly graphic image a really interesting rhythm for the scanning eye.

I love how this is more than a toy portrait or recreation of a scene from the toy's world - it shows imagination and vision to me.

I like it so much I would challenge the photographer to make a version where each of the photos were of a mannequin family - which I think could be a really sweet project with an end result that would astonish folk if it could be pulled off!!

The tones here are sensitively handled and it has crisp detail exactly where it is needed. There are no distractions (parts of window frame/sill etc) and the image has been reduced to its barest (bearest?) essentials. The black and white conversion is in sympathy with this compositional choice.

I think there is evidence of cloning on the right-hand side which doesn't quite blend into the pure black of the top right corner - but for simplicity and atmosphere, it's great.

I struggled with this image as I did not want my own political leanings to colour the results of the contest - since I may well have been on the same parade/protest as our little bear friend here!

BUT then I decided that capturing the zeitgeist is a really important component of photography (throughout its history) and this image does that in a really fun and appealing way.

I was wondering if the dirty marks had been specifically applied for the purpose of the image or if the doll already happened to look like that... then I noticed the label on the bottle and thought "well, with that attention to detail I must presume the whole piece has been carefully conceived and executed".

The image grabbed my attention immediately, it is such a strong story presented in the simplest possible way.

Shooting at f/11 there are I think 3 or 4 sensor marks evident in the background., also perhaps the framing could be a little more generous across the top of the hair. But these are both pretty minor points for an image that is just so much fun!

I love how the toy here has just marched into our world and magically transformed a simple biscuit into a fishing pond - bringing the 'zany' logic of the cartoon world to life.

The arrangement of the biscuits seems, to me, a little purposeful, not quite random or naturally occurring which ever so slightly detracts from the magic that has otherwise been created - but that's really a highly subjective opinion! It's a cracking shot!

The atmosphere created here is absolutely perfect. The trouble gone to is evident and worthwhile; I like the thought of the photographer making the set demonstrating first-hand how photography is about so much more than pressing the shutter release.

There are just enough highlights within the silhouette to provide definition - really very excellent handling of contre-jour lighting.

I wonder if there is a tad too much space to the right-hand side and if the sharp focus of the fur at the far right is a little distracting. Perhaps a 4/3rds crop would be interesting, especially as that's the old TV format on which so many real-world images of this type would have been seen!

BUT that is just food for thought, I think it is a great image.

It was the glow and texture of the hair that caught my attention in this image, really beautifully managed.

To my eye, the arm/hand look a little disembodied from the doll herself, BUT the little love heart drawn in the window mist is a treat to discover.

The cinematic quality and attention to detail really is first rate.

I highly commend the effort you have made to create a really compelling scene. On my (calibrated) monitor it looks slightly washed out - this might be due to the mist effect (which could perhaps either be dialled back a touch, or else used in a more localised way around the subject) OR perhaps your own monitor would benefit from some adjustment? Anyway, I hope that's helpful, it is a lovely image!