I am not quite sure where this picture breaks the rules, but as I’ve already said they never meant anything to me. Anyway, I love the sense of drama in this picture. There is something really powerful and slightly evil about the black withering tree in contrast to the angry clouds. Nice one.

I really like this composition. The subject is in the bottom right hand corner of the frame and looking away from the camera, but looking back into the frame. Her expression appears sad and reflective and somehow the paved background adds to this. This image gives off a strong emotion.

This is a fun picture, which arguably goes against what some would call a proper portrait. However, I think the white space helps to make this work as does the subject’s symmetry (being straight on). That the image cuts off at the bottom of the nose gives emphasis to the eyes and the half-moon glasses, beloved on professors give it the learned look. It is an unconventional ‘character’ portrait and such I think it is a success.

This is a very interesting picture which is deceptively clever (or I am reading something into it that wasn’t intended — no doubt Hotblack with tell all). You may notice that this picture is divided into four relatively even sections, by virtue of the light hitting the upper right hand corner. And I find it pleasant and slightly intriguing to look at, which is enough for me to select it.

This has all the hallmarks of an image taken on an old ‘plate’ film camera (inc the slide rebate marks). Look at the depth of focus or lack of it and how it really gives a three dimensional effect. Also the eye is led from the centre left to a point on the right — not sure how this breaks the rules, but no doubt someone can tell me. Either way, I enjoy looking at it and just love the old fashioned depth or focus feel.

This is a beautiful composition which plays with focus to an extreme degree. The title suggests that the author was looking to create an impressionistic picture and they have achieved that with some style. It may hurt the eyes to look at it for too long, but it has a dreamy presence in short bursts.

This looks like a crop rather than a shot from an XPan or another long format camera — although Chris may put me straight. Either way, I really like this. There is nice symmetry here — the house is pretty much centre, although the horizon is slightly on the p*ss, but the house is on its own — dwarfed by the big sky and those puffy clouds. This image has impact.

It is interesting that aside from the compositional rule-breaking that we have seen in this round, there have also been images that have played with focus to achieve an impressionistic style as Ian appears to have done here. It is particularly ironic to think that impressionism happened because of the advent of photography. Anyway, another fine piece of work from Ian, who has made many really strong contributions this year.