Dear Forum Members

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

This month the theme was “Shadows” and I apologise for the delay in posting the results. I must say that I thought some of the entries were a tad tenuous in their link to the theme, but it was nice to see so many entries. Now, regulars may recall that I sometimes ask for a second opinion from AP’s Art Editor Mark Jacobs, but unfortunately Mark was ill on the day of judging so I enlisted the views of our Creative Director Brett Lewis. I mention this because a picture that may have been a winner this month, sadly, after some discussion, had to be sidelined. GeoffL’s Rails is a beautiful shot, but he appears to have confused shadows with reflections. Am I being too tough and pedantic? Personally, I don’t think so, but let me know if you disagree.

Anyway, this month I have awarded five Highly Commended and one Winner — they are as follows.

Highly Commended: TonyCro — Ages

Brett liked this immediately because of the colours and the shapes — particularly that created by the holding of hands, which gives the image an emotional/human connection. The framing is good, and the only criticism is the minor detail of the piece of paper intruding on the child at the bottom and stick that catches the eye at the top of the adult’s legs. Whilst I am not a fan of photo-fiddling, this is a picture that could really benefit from some Photoshop work to make it realise its full artistic potential.

Highly Commended: dream_police — Hay loft

This caught my eye several times because it almost felt like too separate images in a black frame. It probably falls foul of composition rules, which is maybe my attraction! I like the fact that one the images has lots of detail and the other blank, but for the shadow of the window frame. This might even work as a total abstract if rotated into a horizontal with the view from the window on the right and light hitting the wall on the left.

Highly Commended: BigWill — Stairway to Heaven

I really love this picture and it was a close call for the number one slot. There is something ‘Kafka’ about it (by that I mean visually reminiscent of Orson Well’s mono masterpiece, The Trial). There is something not right about the quality — what sort of camera/film was used? Dare I say there is something of the camera phone about this? — Big Will please reveal all.

Highly Commended: glyn_gagetta — Night Shadows

I haven’t got a blessed clue what is going on here but I love it. I think the shades of brown and gold are very warm and calming and I like the hand poised in an almost ‘Vulcan’ greeting. Brett felt the three dimensional element between the eyes was rather distracting and once he mentioned it I had to agree. Still, whatever it is (and perhaps the photographer may share this with us all) I rather like it.

Highly Commended: Bettina — Brighton pier

Both Brett and I liked this, his only negative comment being the slightly darker patch where the head is directly impacting the material of the chair. The eye naturally goes there and that detracts from the lovely wobbly shape of the head and ‘wing-nut’ ears (another job for P-shop?).

Winner: Lounge Lizard — Wall Shadows

Well, there is no doubting that this image is about shadows. I love the use of the diagonal and the fantastic position and shape of the person. It is a shame about the rails at the top as they do lend an element of confusion and I think the picture would have been a world-beater if it had a clean diagonal, but this is a real moment and one of the most interesting pictures this year.

Conclusion:

So, as usual a big well done to everyone who took part — great to see so many mind-expanding images. Interestingly the next theme is Abstract, which probably follows on nicely from this round, so I am looking forward to seeing all of your work at the end of the month.

All the best

Garry C-W