Dear Forum Lovies

Thanks very much to all who entered the February round of our forum competition – it seems to have been a great success. I’ve really enjoyed watching the pictures as they arrive, and looking back over them today it is obvious what a remarkably diverse bunch of people inhabit our forum.

My short list this month was hardly short at all – running to 14 images, but from those I have finally chosen the three I think best fit the theme and which excel photographically.

I have first to congratulate Bugpuss on her wonderful submission – such a beautiful portrait. It has not won though for two reasons – firstly the self-portrait theme was last month, and secondly the seasonal theme was not quite strong enough. It is a lovely picture though.

I should also mention the extraordinary image entered by Matt_Hunt. The frosted badger poo really caught my eye with its dramatic spikes and deep frozen backdrop. Excellent.

The winners, as will become usual, have approached the theme in an original manner and/or have produced a photograph of outstanding beauty.

Just to remind you of the prizes: the first placed image wins a wonderful Nikon Coolpix S210 compact camera – kindly donated by Nikon UK, and second and third placed pictures win a highly coveted ‘AP Loves My Pictures’ mug.

The finalists then are:

3rd place: daft_biker

Third place this month goes to Mr Daft_Biker, for his snow-laden tree scene. I’m impressed with how clean the image looks and how he has managed exposure and white balance. It is the sort of scene we have seen before, but his abstract approach makes it new and interesting. Well done.

2nd place: dream_police

The runner up this month is Dream_Police. This is the kind of view we all get when we look out the window on a winter’s night. There’s no waterfall, dramatic clouds or pink evening sky – but instead Dream_Police gives us a version of reality we can relate to immediately. This is a well-composed shot too; it’s not just a snap behind the curtains - with its graphic tree, placed street lamp and long shadows. Great modern urban landscape.

1st place: Ephemeral

The winner this month has brought us a new interpretation of ‘Lone Tree’ with this 'lone stick' on a frosty day. Ephemeral has captured the temperature of the morning by allowing the natural colours of the scene of show through. Those greens and cyans are chilling, and the frosted gold of the grass in the foreground makes a great complement. This is a beautiful view that has been recorded to show it just as it was at the time, and although I don’t judge on this criterion, it is the sort of picture I would hang on the wall. I could stare at it for ages and feel as though I’d been out for a walk. Beats the exercise bike any day of the week.

Conclusion:

Damien Demolder