FTA_027_FIRST LIGHT.jpg

Honours. Elegant use of late afternoon light and exposure placement. Enjoyed both the rim lighting and strong use of shaddows. Only minor issue is the vignette is a touch too heavy.

OPA_012_A LOST WORLD.jpg

Honours. This image has been very well captured, and the title is very well suited. There is good detail across the whole image especially in the foliage. Which draws the eye beautifully into this space. There is some noise in the rocks, which has possibly come from lifting the shadows in post processing. Having tried to take similar images, I know how hard it can be to get the exposure in both the highlights and shadows perfect and something must give. Even with the use of exposure blending and taking several shots at different exposures, it can be difficult to blend them perfectly. I think the photographer has done a good job with this image, and I believe the noise is something that probably could not be easily avoided, as the dynamic range in this location far exceeds the capability of any camera.

OPA_012_FROSTY HILLS.jpg

Honours It is always good when you can connect with an image emotionally. This photograph creates the emotion of a cold bleak wide open space. The composition and colour pallet are simple. There is the negative space of sky, with its shades of grey, that sets a bleak mood. Lower down we have the frost covered hills where the light and shadow has created contours over the hills giving them shape. In the foreground there the frost covered grassland adding a subtle brown tone to the image. To create a feeling of a wide open space the photographer has chosen a panoramic crop to the image.

OPA_097_MISTY TREES.jpg

Honours. I enjoyed the way you have used intentional camera movement to create an impressionist image. Nice hues, nice lighting and lovely hues. Nice image.

OPA_140_Baby on Board.jpg

Honours. I see a strong story in this high key image of a mother and baby chick. The treatment simplifies the image, stripping away much that might otherwise distract from the story.

OPA_140_Grooming Time.jpg

Honours. For me this is a truly beautiful image that shows a time when birds preen their feathers. Nice light, nice detail, nicely presented.

OPA_140_Heron Portrait.jpg

Honours. I can feel the heron looking at me and in my view this adds an emotional connection to the image. In my opinion the cropping is perfectly suited to the image and I love the detail in the eye area and beak.

OPA_140_Look into my Eyes.jpg

Honours. Another very strong image. It’s not very often you get to see a seal this close. The focus is good. The detail, in the face, including the flies and not so pleasant discharge from the nose is exceptional. I think the composition is also very good, especially the eyes being on an angle in the frame. A very strong natural history shot.

OPA_140_Surprise Attack!.jpg

Honours. This is a spectacular action shot of the two seals. The eye is so intense. I like the softer background and the capture of movement in the water in the foreground. Very well done!

OPN_152_Silhouette.jpg

Honours The chosen colourful time of day and placement of your silhouetted scene work beautifully to create a strong image. I love the size and crispness of the people featuring against the gold water, with the leading lines of the jetty, bush and clouds taking the viewer’s eye to the focal point of the image.

SSA_012_FROSTED.jpg

Honours. A story of a neglected fence and gate emphasized by the wintry textures. The desaturation of colours adds to the mood and the angle of the fenceline adds visual interest to the composition.

SSA_027_ARMAGEDDON; HOPE IS BUT A DREAM.jpg

Honours. This is a stunning piece of creativity! It is full of drama and dreamy colours. Very well done!

SSA_097_ROYAL ARCADE.jpg

Honours. Very cool! There is a lot to see in this image and due to the composition, which is great, you really look into the image. The very low angle of the camera works very well, and I love the chest board pattern on the floor, along with the symmetry of the roof, with all lines leading to the archway and what I believe is the concierge desk at the centre of the image. Excellent capture that I can’t fault

SSA_097_SCRAMBLED.jpg

Honours. I find your choice of compositional texture, your choice of layering and your choice of sharpness and blur add up to create a strong story and clever statement. This is further enhanced by your title.

SSA_140_Full Stretch.jpg

Honours. A very nice action shot. Also, a creative take on the set subject, with the Polo sticks taking on the role of the leading lines by leading the viewers eye to the ball. The background is nicely soft and does not compete with the horse or their riders. I like that one of the horses is making eye contact with the photographer, as this adds some engagement with the viewer that is missing from the people the image. The exposure is good and the shutter speed that have been used has frozen the action nicely. Resulting in capturing a very cool moment in time.

SSA_140_Wrecking havoc.jpg

Honours. The effective subframing within the image catches my eye. I then also appreciate the use of complimentary blues and rusty oranges and I feel the juxtaposition of the two main elements within the image, strengthen your strong social comment.

SSN_152_foggyBW.jpg

Honours. In my view the only changes to make to this beautiful minimalist image are to print it – frame it in a simple black frame and hang it on a wall! I find the compositional choice, moment choice, and black and white choice all work together to create a finished piece of art.

OPN_150_ UP ON THE HILL.jpg

Honours. I was amused by this image in which all the sheep are looking at the photographer. The big cloudy sky and the subdued colour palette add atmosphere. Lovely side lighting on silhouetted sheep.

SSA_080_Playtime.jpg

Honours. A stunning example of creative photography. The dark background draws the focus to the girl and the colours around her. I am sure much fun was had when creating this image. Well done!

OPA_080_Glenorchy Wizard.jpg

Honours. This took me back to the movie theatre when I was watching Gandalf in Lord of the Rings. He is a good-looking wizard! I like the directional light coming in from the left of the image. Nicely done.

OPN_121_runDogRun.jpg

Honours. This image could have been placed in the creative category. I love the intentional camera movement in this image, the dog is clearly defined, yet the speed in which it is moving has given the photographer the opportunity for a lovely creative image. I feel that there are a few distractions along the top of the image and would recommend cropping it at the top a little to remove the distractions and make the image stronger, however I am willing to ignore them and enjoy the dog. Nicely done.

SSN_144_ecocide - is this our future 1.jpg

Honours. For me the simplicity of this image strengthens the comment on the social issue of climate change. I find your composition effective and appreciate your attention to detail within the image.

OPA_071_GRACEFUL FLUIDITY.jpg

Honours. In my opinion the title leads us to a beautifully crafted, graceful image with lovely lines and a subtle focus point. I enjoy the skilful camera work as well as artistic finishing off of the image.

OPB_021_OUTSTANDING IN HIS FIELD.jpg

Honours. I love this image, the beautiful soft pastel colours of the sunset or sunrise, the silhouetted foreground with the cow definitely out standing in HER field. Well done!

OPN_121_Waterfallwomanjpg.jpg

Honours. For me the image gave me a strong sense of serenity and peacefulness. I liked how you how you have used the depth of field to leave the waterfall pool and the waterfall itself in blur which has in my opintion really helped reduce the impact of the highlights. Nicely done. I also enjoyed the shutter speed selected which provides, in my view a gentleness in the water flow. While I found the overhanging vines a little distracting, in my opinion these vines were not a significant distraction from the quality of the story.