Urban shapes

For this challenge, we were looking for tightly composed pictures of the constructed environment; here's a shot that fulfils that brief with style and substance. Considered composition is as much about what you choose to leave out of the frame as it is about what you choose to leave within it, and here a factory complex is pared down to a simple study of peaks and troughs. The dark and moody treatment and the contrast between the angular roofline and soft smoke create visual tension that lifts this shot tremendously.

This is an image that has the potential to send a shiver down the spine of anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. The photographer's choice of tight framing and choice of aspect ratio emphasises the density of the living spaces, while the repetitive arrangement of windows gives the image an appealing rhythm. This is further enhanced by the long shadows cutting diagonally through the image. The combination of sparse furniture and clean lighting gives the picture an almost surreal feel, and the end result is a captivating take on urban living.

Shooting silhouettes is a great way to gain an appreciation for shape, because that’s the only thing you have to work with. Devoid of detail and texture, it’s the outline of a subject that has to provide the visual hook and tell viewers everything that they need to know. Finding a shape that’s distinct and free from overlapping elements is the challenge, but here the photographer has created an image that ticks all the boxes. The human presence provides a fitting focal point that also brings a sense of scale to the picture.