Landscape Photo Competition 7 2012 : Results

Judges Comment
Welcome back to the raw power of basics. A superb photograph which beckons the viewer back again and again. It is absolutely absorbing and yet so simple, it is both peaceful and fearsome, it is wonderfully beautiful and desolately lost. It is a mirror of one’s own feelings. This photograph is for gazing at, and into. This round’s winner has a class of its own. Is it the composition by thirds or the perfect tonal range? Is it the endless depth of field or the just–slow-enough shutter speed that makes the water come alive? Is it the blue or the empty space? Is it all of those together? Simple, technically perfect, saturated and real. This is a bold image from the fringes of this landscape theme, you have managed to photograph a very usual subject in a very unusual way. Uncomplicated and inspiring work. Congratulations! Get it framed!
Photographers Comment
I am overwhelmed, not only for winning my second competition at I SHOT IT within few weeks, but because of the Judges comment! Some people may see here only some waves and a bit of sky, but your words show me that I could transport exactly my feelings with this image and Duncan and the other judges received them. Sometimes in our live these are the simple things which can move an amount! Just have it framed at home! Thank you very much! Christian Bernfeld, Austria

Judges Comment
Well done for this very strong image where man meets nature. This photograph has beautiful tones and a warming, soft contrast. The explosion of water is just perfect, the white of the surf, often tricky to capture without burning, is correctly exposed here, even as it reaches up into the sunlight. It’s an exciting picture to look at with a real stormy feel. It is perhaps landscape photography by a sports photographer! Anyway a firm favourite…
Photographers Comment
Thanks for your votings. My name is Marc Dahlhoff from Germany. This photo was taken last oktober after a Windsurf Session in Vigso, Jutland (Denmark) with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Settings: 24mm, f/8, 1/125sec, ISO 80. There's not much post processing, just sharpness and contrast.
foto-dahlhoff.de

Judges Comment
Full marks for composition, there is nothing to crop out here. The whole picture positively draws us in to that arch in the sea, over the bushes to the beach, then out into such a beautiful scene. The photograph has been taken with skill, it is sharp and balanced and sensitively framed. Well done.
Photographers Comment
My name is Alexandre FELIX, living in Paris, and working as art director in advertising. I enjoy photography and I share with you this stunning photograph taken during my one month trip in New Zealand, december 2012. At the end of a long walk along the beach under the rain, the sun came and brought some life on this amazing beach with it arch. Made with 2 exposure using the digital blend method (DRI). Thank you for your recognition, Alex F.
www.alexfelix.fr

Judges Comment
Beautiful lines and soft colours, as nature repairs the damage. This is not just a beautiful picture in the visual sense, it is also, I think, a story of destruction and of revival and a tremendous picture of hope. One can feel the damp of this leafless forest. Are those woodpecker marks on the dead trees? Did the whole forest burn? In any case congratulations for this powerful photograph.
Photographers Comment
This photograph was taken after the biggest fire in New Mexico History last summer(2012). The Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire in the Gila Wilderness of Southwest NM burned almost 300,000 acres. I spent two months and logged almost 300 miles on foot in the Gila Wilderness photographing what the fire left behind. It was surreal! The marks on the trees is where the bark is starting to peel off. Thanks for the kind comments. Jay Hemphill
www.jhemphillphotography.com

Judges Comment
This is a lovely wild picture with great light and dark, with a real feel of the elements, and an unpredictable, menacing climate. The seagull and its reflection bring depth and a sense of meaning. Such drama! You have captured the atmosphere beautifully.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for viewing my photo. This image was shot at Cannon Beach, Oregon using a Canon 7D and 17-40mm f4.0L Post processing on this shot was fairly minimal. I did selectively lighten the haystack rock in the background and some minor levels adjustment, but other than that the image is basically straight out of the camera. Clint Dunn
clintdunn.zenfolio.com/

Judges Comment
A sound artistic approach and interesting processing make this image stand out. A misty world of light, fields and trees. Such peace, almost spiritual. Great stuff, well done!
Photographers Comment
I took this picture driving between San Jose and Las Vegas around the Gilroy area. It was very foggy outside and I took the picture through the car window, going 90 down the curvy road pointing my 5D MKIII through the window. its shot using the 24-70 2.8f lens.
www.adamoe.com

Judges Comment
This is an interesting composition with a busy left and a quiet right side. A great and unusual location… what is that tree doing there? You could perhaps have made more use of the very warm and colourful foreground. Maybe even without the sun in the frame? The silhouette is well spotted and makes the picture.
Photographers Comment
My name is Francis Trudeau and I live in Myrtle Beach, SC. I used a Sony A230 to capture this image, as well as many more like it at Boneyard Beach on Bull's Island. Bull's Island is located within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Reserve in South Carolina. Boneyard Beach is ever changing and gets its name from all the downed trees that succume to the salt water surf. Some post processing was performed in lightroom to adjust for exposure, brightness and contrast. Thanks.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-francis-trudeau.html

Judges Comment
You have captured a wonderful pool of light deep down in this ravine. Nice exposure and composition, nice post processing too, the vignette really setting off the central trees. Great effort, well done.

Judges Comment
This is a lovely colourful image. The landscape is superb, the sky really interesting too and a daring shot into the sun. I love the low angle and the strength that gives to the flowers. It is though a little over-cooked in the digital darkroom to be a winner here.
joemartinphotography.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Landscapes