Bjorn,

The second would be my pick - I think you've captured that sense of scale with the vertical aspect, and showing the house on the cliff. The rock wall in the foreground as depicted in the third image, doesn't add enough to warrant its inclusion IMO. On top of that, the light and colour are arguably better in the second image also - a clear winner for mine.

Andrew, the sculptures that have the strong tree shadows immediately behind could benefit from that harsh mid-day sun - you could turn the harshness of the high-contrast lighting to your advantage perhaps?

The others were a time-of-day issue (a bit difficult if just passing through!).

Man, that's some rust Tony! I think No 1 works best for me, as the shot isolates the subject more effectively.

If you had the opportunity, some post would improve it further IMO, and provide even better focus on the subject by darkening the background.

A successful holiday for you?

I'm with Will on the 3rd Gary.

Roger, to me these pods all compete for my attention? I like your idea of the flower amongst the pods in the 2nd. To have the stalk in front of it takes the focus away from it though.

It's the composition in these that's worth thinking over IMO.

I agree that there may be two shots in this Phil. One of these will mean re-shooting without the pole, as discussed.

A slightly different crop (less of the bottom rail, more of the ornate top section) might also be worth considering?

Well caught Phil! Methinks you've created your own luck, with planning & preparation.

Gary,

Yes - for me they do come and go with the focus. There's only texture to the extent that the subject is in focus.

Your title says it - the isolation needs to be effective, thus the periphery needs to act to complete that isolation.

Roger, I've taken a different approach and slightly decreased the contrast and sat, and had a play with the curves while I was at it amongst other things.

Happy to post, it's on Photobucket for now.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the show Andrew. For a large set like that many more held my attention than not. The spiral staircase, the clock, Lytes Herbal and others (including your 'trademark' images) all worked for me.

The ones that didn't hold up quite so well for me were some of the colour flower close-ups, 'Stand of Trees', and ones of the artist at work.

Not sure what sheen you've found in any of the BW ones I've shot - your dandelion clock image looks as silvery and sheened to me as any of the former?