Monthly Comp #11 – A Modern Building Competition

First of all a big thank you to those that made the effort and took the time to enter this competition. I had hoped that with modern buildings all over the world it was an inclusive subject, but the low entry seems to say otherwise. Maybe some were frightened off by the quality of your entries.

As always judging is a matter of personal preference, so hear goes

In The Cloud – johnriley

My eye was immediately drawn up through the image by the great reflections of the sky. It seems to me the sky and the building merge together, maybe due to it’s see through edge. There is also some detail to explore in the building, so I would not have been disappointed to see a bit more of it.

The Deep – GaryJohn

An apt title, do you think the architect was inspired by images of the Great White rising from the deep with snout raised and teeth bared? The toning used just adds to the drama of a sharp, generally well exposed picture. While the bright white spot at the “jaws” draws the eye in, I might have darkened it a touch along with the one on the left edge.

Contrasting Styles – tyronet200

Another apt title and it’s up to the viewer to say if the contrast works. While looking at the semi reflections in new building I came across that one figure and the empty table and chairs, is that the only person in there I wonder. The black shapes intrigue me; I think there is a picture in there of them alone. Also you could try a letterbox crop to reduce the grey sky and building work.

CMK Railway Station – Papa_Lazarou

Great colours, combining with a bold angular shape to give a very dramatic image.
The building, and the reflection in it, is so sharp it is real. When viewing the image at a larger scale, I think I can see the effect of no Anti-aliasing filter in the building verticals. However it does not detract from the impact of the picture.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion Theatre at Chicago Millennium Park – Daroni

I think the picture here is in the striking colour and formation of the seats. Alternatively you have to pull back, some distance, so that the viewer can sort out and appreciate the complexity of what I take to be the stage roof.

Twin Towers – paulb531

A modern building but to a traditional design and contrasting by culture as well as architecture, I think. I like the way that sweep in the Sky advert leads you up to the minarets, also you have managed to pack detail into the darker foreground without blowing out the sky. However there seems to be a bit of a halo around the buildings and it’s a pity about the traffic light, but it is where it is.

Façade – Tiny2

An abstract looking image that catches the eye. By using the blocks of colour, shape, light and dark you have come up with a great combination. Well spotted, focused and exposed. I like it. Have you tried any ways just to level the horizontals?

Farnborough Tower – GlynM

Some very futuristic shapes in this image which match up with and compliment the lines of the aircraft well. How you get round it I don’t know, but the light standards cutting through the line of the buildings spoil it for me. I did try a try a tighter crop of the bottom and right edges but I’m not sure it worked.

Gloucester College – Jim-w

A monochrome feel to this image with the colours of the building and sky blending together. The layout of the windows looks very uniform, almost regimented, until you see someone has staked a claim for individuality with their coloured butterflies, a nice touch. It’s also good that the pitfalls of convergence and alignment have been avoided so the building does not look as if it’s about to fall over.

View From Ocean Terminal – nicesparky

I good capture, with the figures looking towards something, which at first I thought was the display cabinet. I like the contrast between the strong shadowed foreground and the light pastel buildings behind, but they seem linked by the echoed squares of cabinet and windows. Do you think it would be a stronger picture if the figure on the edge was cropped out?

New kid on the block – Noelcmn

A good symmetry about the building and the image but it’s hampered by the trees in the foreground. You may also need a bit more work to remove the remnants of overhead cables. It’s a shame because the image is well focused and exposed with the colouring having nice warmth.

The results

1st - Façade by Tiny2

2nd - CMK Railway Station by Papa_Lazarou

3rd – The Deep by GaryJohn

Congratulations to the Winner and other podium places. Thanks to Barrie for an interesting subject, the judging and constructive comments.

Thank you for the feedback comments Barrie - and the third place. Congrats to all in a competition that I too thought would attract a lot more entries.
I shall now get to grips with the Photoshop manual and figure out how to darken those bright spots !
Thanks again.

Great competition, a very nice set of comments and well deserved winners - Many thanks.

Congratulations to all that entered.


Glyn

Sorry, didn't enter. The judge stated he is not normally a fan of modern architecture and neither am I however I couldn't even think of any inspirational modern buildings in reach to go and photograph at all so was unable to produce an entry.

Well done to all who managed to find a suitable subject and enter the comp.

John K

Congrats to Tiny2 and other places, and thanks to Barrie for comp and judging.

Jim

Thanks for setting and judging this competition Barrie and for taking the time to make some interesting and constructive comments to everyone that entered. Not an easy task!

Carl