Dear Forum Members

Here are the results of the Forum’s September photographic competition.

This month the theme was “Buildings and Architecture” and not only do we have one of the largest entries (2nd only to January’s Open round) but we have one of the best. The great thing about this month’s theme is that it can be interpreted in a classic way or a very modern abstract way. Most importantly it is about making something visually interesting from a group of shapes, or representing something beautiful in the most pleasing way.

This month I have awarded six Highly Commended and one Winner — they are as follows.

Highly Commended: Dave_Cox — Leeds Castle

This picture-postcard-chocolate-box image may seem like a cliché to some, but it is a very nicely constructed one. There is nothing wrong with capturing a cliché — provided you get it spot on and the image gives the viewer pleasure. I loved the grass in the foreground, the clouds and the angle of light, which allowed the shape of the building to come to the fore. Well done Dave.

Highly Commended: Ben Chism — Tate Modern

For me the Tate Modern is an ugly building, but the trick is to try and make something abstract from it and that is what Ben has done here. I like the way the camera is angled upwards, which somehow confuses me as to what I am looking at. The plane coming in on the right makes the picture for me. Obviously, exposure in this situation was difficult and I wonder what a bit of jiggery-pokery in photoshop would do — maybe also consider conversion to black and white. Either way, I like the shapes.

Highly Commended: Samsam — Fountain Court

This is a great image and not simply a record shot of an old beautiful building. The symmetry of the composition combined with a wide angle optic gives an impression of majesty and power.

Highly Commended: David_J_Colbran — The Bullring

To say this building has been over-shot is something of an understatement in my view, but David has done something different and that deserves full credit. I love this composition — the clouds and the shape of the building work together beautifully.

Highly Commended: Ian_A — Shippen

Here we have the romantic approach and this image very much reminds me of the work of the great Victorian landscape pioneer Alfred Horsely Hinton. This is not about shapes or detail, but feel. Evocative, emotive and timeless — it could have been taken (visually and technically) 100 years ago.

Highly Commended: ian_g — Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower

It was a very tough choice between this image and the eventual winner. I love the shape and tones in this image. Was it originally mono? It doesn’t matter, but it is interesting consider that with digital the ease of changing form colour to mono must not be under-sold. I like the way the composition reaches from full-width at the bottom to the point at the top — taking the eye with it. Looking up and street lamps to make shapes is not new, but it always adds a dimension. The shot would have been ruined it the lamp’s shade had been the same tone as the rest of the subject.

Winner: BigWill — Ecos Angles

This is a stunning abstract. I would happily hang this on the wall. The sky looks really wild and serves as the perfect background to the oddly-shaped edifice. Like a lot of great abstract work, I have no real idea why I love this, it just ‘shines’ and engages my eyes and brain. It has been many years since I visited Ballymena, but I would be fascinated to what the rest of this building looks like — although it is probably just mundane!

Conclusion:

So, a big well done to everyone who took part — Buildings and Architecture are clearly as close to your collective hearts as Landscapes, and it was great to see so many beautiful images. I think this may be my favourite selection so far. Anyway, I believe the next theme is Shadows , although somehow I can’t believe the images will be Apache on this round! Sorry, that awful joke is dedicated to my old friend Mike Maloney. I’ll look forward to seeing your shadowy work at the end of the month.

All the best

Garry C-W