Weekly Competion #370 : Urban Landscape Competition

Thank you all for entering. There are a lot of entries so thankfully the subject has proven popular - it’s good to see some new names as well as the usual contributors.

The usual disclaimer applies; I am not an expert and any constructive criticism is not meant to offend and judging is purely down to personal taste.

Sinclairs, Manchester by John Riley
A very busy vibrant scene - it reminds of a Terry Gorman painting. A very good technical photo which is pin sharp and its only fault if anything is it lacks a focal point. But a very good photo

Fly over the Thames by Michaelblue
I assume you have taken this through a plane window if so this is remarkably good. I like how the eye wonders up the Thames into the sunshine. I think the millennium Dome is now the O2 Arena – I could be wrong.

Clydeside by Gartmore
A very clever abstract with good contrasts and bold colours - I haven’t go a clue what this building is. I can see the appeal of this but it isn’t my cup of tea but I can see how it could appeal to others.

NY day and night by AxelLuther
Looking in the thumbnail with out my glasses I though this was some sort of neckless. On closer examination – wow what a clever piece of work. I would like to know what sort of lens it was shot with and from where it was taken – very clever great stuff. I am in awe of your obvious PS ability.

Shhhh!!!! By mudge
What are those people up to? I can’t believe they are running into the library. The building itself is some gothic masterpiece which you have capture well.

Skate Park by Davidstorm
A very vivid vibrant scene with plenty to admire - I like the blurring on the skaters which give the picture a ghostly effect. My only minor criticism is that the main pillar seems a bit bright compared to the rest of the photo. It’s a great shot nevertheless.

Hillside High Street by GlynM
When I look at this pictured I’m intrigued by the women on the right – a bit overdressed. A well crafted black and white that again lacks a focal point is it the banner, the church or that women on the right?

Grand Palace Hotel by ken 2390
It looks a bit run down now – the floods certainly have taken its toll. I think the picture could have benefitted with a bit of sky. Perhaps a bit more of a wide angle to get more of the building in the frame would have helped.

Street Music by 3party
This is great. I love the blurring and the energy this photo has. You have captured the mood very well. I would say more street photography than urban landscape but a great photograph.

Manchester Victoria by timcx500e
I like this. The wide angle lens is used to good effect giving an almost abstract effect. The criticism is that there is a fair amount of lens distortion.

Sprawling London by BAJ
Looking at this it makes me thankful I live in Derbyshire. It certainly shows what an overcrowded city London is. A well captured scene.

The powerstation as it was by eddyc
A nicely captured image - those towers look menacing and the clouds add to the drama. A good powerful image suited to the mono treatment.

All lines lead to the city by simonmac
Another very good black and white – with clever use of the rail lines leading the eyes to the focal point. You have some good textures and contrasts which make this a cracking shot. You have good contrast in the clouds which always helps.

Eye of the raven by davidtrout
This is a very clever shot. The eye goes straight to the mirror and the reflection of the street. I like how you have contrast of light and shade part of the street. This highlights the difference between a snapshot and a well crafted photograph that a lot of thought has gone into - excellent. A lot of people would have missed this opportunity including me – well spotted.

Follow the White rabbit by MXty
It is difficult to create a mood but you have here. This picture has got that spooky derelict feel to it – I wouldn’t want to be there alone. I think you have captured the neglect and dereliction well. What it might lack a little in sharpness through processing it gains in other ways – it’s very good.

Wagon Yard by olegit
This has an old world feel to it. It’s well composed but it is spoilt a bit by the dark shadows. I would have lifted the shadows a bit in PS.

CONSTRUCT by ForgottenHeritagePhotography
This is a clever idea. I like the perspective and strong shadows. The only criticism is that it is a little dark. I have had a look on your Website and you have some great stuff on there.

Pedestrian bridge at Toronto harbourfront by arrondee
That is some bridge. This is a good shot – I like the vibrant colours of those big buildings. The thing for me that spoils it slightly is the red boat – it distracts the eye away from the bridge. I would have cropped it out and then it would be a winner.

Down by the Canal by dromfit
Well spotted this is a bit of unspoilt graffiti. The colours are vibrant. I would have preferred a bit more of the building to give the graffiti a bit of context.

The city of sport by noelcmn
It’s a nice idea of having the carpet of grass and the skyscrapers in the background. It certainly looks a very clean part of the world. A pleasant enough scene but the colours look a bit too vivid.

Sneinton Skyline by Perspicador
A pin sharp image of the stone built market – they certainly don’t build them like that any more. The building makes a nice contrast with the modern skyscraper in the background.

Sagrada Familia by baxabaramba
I love Barcelona myself – there are great works of art on display. It’s a good photography of somebody else’s piece of art. It needs some context to make it your piece of art.

Heart of darkness by simonarron
This is an exceptionally good photography - it is very sharp and the clarity is excellent. I love the reflection on the water. You had a bit of good fortune capturing the large ship. I wish it was one of mine.

Ocean Terminal by nicesparky
I like this picture nice composition and interesting theme. My only criticism is that it appears a bit blurry. Was it shot through glass of has it been cropped a bit too severely?

Water tanks everywhere by guy
Certainly a very condensed landscape - I like how you have used the telephoto lens to compress everything. A very good mono treatment – a well crafted photograph.

Rhonda Terraces by Daronl
I love how these terraces are all different. The diagonal lines give a pleasing effect and the picture is pin sharp. A cracking photo.

Neighbours by Kayling
Good use of the telephoto lens to compress the terraces. The photograph has become abstract. I like this effect – a very clever photograph.



I have picked out my favourites all are very different and tried to put them in order.


Winner: Heart of darkness by simonarron
Second: Eye of the raven by davidtrout
Third: All lines lead to the city by simonmac


HC’s in no particular order:
Follow the White rabbit by MXty
Fly over the Thames by Michaelblue
Skate Park by Davidstorm
Neighbours by Kayling

Over to you Simon.

Many thanks for the competition Paul and your detailed judging. I enjoyed the subject because its one of my favourite photo activities.
Congratulations to Simonarron on a well deserved win and to simonmac on his third place. Also to the HCs.
Thanks for my second place, its everyone's favourite result.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Thanks for the victory garland, Paul - and well done to all nominees. Nice to see such a healthy entry - I didn't expect to get anywhere near the top of the podium, given the strength of the competition.

I shall ponder awhile and post a fresh topic asap.

That is indeed a very fine shot, Simon, Congratulations! And extended too David and the other Simon, and of course the HC's. Thanks Paul for what is obviously a very popular subject- We all love our cities. Thanks for judging duties undertaken. Great stuff!

taken from the ferry on the way to miss liberty with my first DSLR - the K20D and a 18-250 low budget super zoom

Thanks David, Simon, Noel, for your positive comments on what is a thankless job where you're not going to please everyone.

Best Regards

Paul

I thought so, but thanks for confirming it.

Regards

Paul

Its disappointing that so few competitors have failed to acknowledge Paul's work in selecting and judging this week's topic and offering his expert opinion on the images. Its surprising considering the topic seemed popular and attracted a healthy entry.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Thanks for the comments paulb and also for taking the time to judge this competition.

Some lovely images.

Great that you have taken the time to crit each shot
I love having my own work critiqued, always great to hear genuine thoughts and opinions on something you're often to close to, to be objective on.

Just read your comment. I had forgotten I had entered this and just remembered this evening. I suspect that may be the case with many others too?

Thanks Eddy and Matt - much appreciate you comments.

Regards

Paul