Trees with No Leaves

An interesting but strong composition, with close-in foreground filling the lower two-thirds of the frame, with the main subject more distant, but still an obvious focal point for the image. By shooting in misty conditions, we have some soft diffused lighting, and it also ensures there are no distracting elements in the far distance which allows the thin branches of this tree survivor to be visible agaist the mist. I love the limited colour palette of predominantely winter brown tones, which help convey the mood of the day. Some great details in the vegetation throughout the frame. Great image, well done on your top ten placing.

This image caught my eye as soon as I saw it and it was always in my likely top ten. A simple subject; just a flock of birds taking flight and some bare winter treetops, but effectively captured, accentuated by the bold contrasts of the white and black. These strong contrasts allow the silhouetted trees and birds to be clearly seen despite being small within the composition overall. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

I love the calm and gentle mood that this image conveys. Images captured around sunrise or sunset tend to be rather clichéd, and many seem to attract attention simply because of the colours, often very heavily edited or adjusted, there just for effect. By contrast here, the scene looks natural and the colours of the low sunlight create a gentle dreamy mood. Composition is straightforward but effective, and the simple shapes of these bare and spindley trees stands out against the lighter sky. Beautiful image, well done on your top ten placing.

This image stood out for me as soon as I saw it. The mundanity of the shot really appeals to me, and the setting overall was in contrast to most entries in this contest, showing pretty and scenic rural landscape settings. The tree and window are well balanced, and act as a direct contrast to each other in form, shape, man-made v nature etc. Including the wall along the bottom of the frame prevents the image looking cropped off. The muted colour pallete works well and completes the shot. Congratulations on your second place finish.

An unusual composition creates a powerful shot, of a large bare tree engulfed by looming high-rise blocks. The decision to convert to black and white works well, as it emphasises the strong graphic of the image. The tones and shapes of the architecture contrasts well with the more fluid shapes and lines of tbe thick trunk and the thin wispy branches. A bold image, well done on your top ten placing.

Adding textured backgrounds to landscape images does not always work, but here I think the effect works well and somehow serves to accentuate the shape and structure of these rather unusual trees. It selecting the theme for this contest, I was hoping to see images that highlighted those shapes and structures, and this image does that perfectly. The composition works well, with unequal space either side of the trees. Despite the black and white, there is a lovely lightness and delicacy to the shot. Congratulations on your winning image.

A beautiful winter woodland landscape photograph with a lovely dream-like quality. The lighting is subdued and soft, allowing a good amount of detail to be seen, as there is nothing lost in any deep shadows. The colours are lovely, with a limited palette of greys and browns. The little patches of snow on the ground lift the image. I like the composition of the image, with the two dominant trees framing the side of the shot and keeping everything contained. Great work, well done on your top ten placing.

This image was a late entry to my top ten, but one I like and appreciate the more I look. Captured from inside looking out, the image has been suitably exposed to ensure the view out of the window is the subject, and the interior of the room kept dark to avoid being a distraction. The view is a relatively ordinary urban outlook, but that does not mean it is lacking interest, as there is plenty to look at despite the limited view. I especially love the combination of the capture of the "real" tree and its shadow on the opposite wall. The contrasting colours between the warmer browns and cooler blues is very attractive. Well done on your top ten placing.

I love the simplicity of this image, and the composition of the shot works really well with the line of trees forming a strong diagonal across the frame. We are far enough out to see a variety of different shapes and sizes of trees, but close enough n to be able to pick out details in the trees and snowy ground. A striking abstract landscape image. Congratulations on your third place finish.