Wes Donze

Reflections of Norway
Frognersetteren near Oslo. June 2001. Kodak Dc 280

Why We Chose It:
This is a lovely landscape shot, the tranquility of the scene immediately strikes the viewer and is probably the key characteristic that drew us to the shot. As with many good shots the technical skill behind the photograph is not necessarily what leaps out at you, but it is nevertheless a very competently executed shot and without that technical competence this photograph could have been spoilt. The exposure is spot on, there is quite a high contrast within the image, from the dark trees to the bright sky and the overall brightness of the scene could easily have led to an underexposed image. Instead, the exposure has left good detail in the clouds - probably a critical part of the overall shot. Composition is reasonably straight-forward with reflection shots - it is important to have a full reflection of the subject and as far as possible to place the 'line of reflection' along the middle of the frame, to really emphasise the symmetry. Wes has kept within both of these compositional guidelines and at the same time he has captured the moment of tranquility.

Kevin Hirst

Inside Line
EOS 5, Sigma 300 f4 and monopod Fuji Provia 100F. Several hours work in Photoshop.

Why We Chose It:
Some of you may think that we have a thing about motorbikes - this being the second time we have selected a motorbike shot. It is not that we are motorbike enthusiasts, nor indeed, motor sports enthusiasts, it is rather that this shot (as with last months) is a dynamic photograph. Kevin has really captured the excitement, the competition and the speed of a motorbike race in this one shot. Kevin indicates that there was a certain amount of digital enhancement to the shot, but if you read the comments associated with the image, you will see that this was not significant and the main elements of the image were captured 'in-camera'. This is a well taken 'panning' shot, the main subject - the two motorbikes are sharp, but the background has been blurred by the panning motion of the camera. It can be difficult with panning shots to hold the subject in a good position within the frame, but kevin has achieved this, with plenty of room in front of the bikes for them to drive into, he has also kept the horizontals straight. The striking colours (perhaps somewhat enhanced, digitally) add to the overall power of the shot.

Craig McWilliams

Why We Chose It:
This is a photograph that has been in the Gallery for some time and it is a very evocative portrait. The composition is probably the technical element that makes this image - the eyes are on the top horizontal 'thirds line' and the nose is also on a 'thirds line', this time on the left hand side, and so the woman's face is very well placed with the frame. Craig's willingness to allow the frame of the image to cut out the hair of his subject suggests that he is an experienced portrait photographer. While this may not be an especially innovative approach, many people are not brave enough to do it and in this instance we felt, it has been done very well with this shot leaving no sense that there is something missing. The graininess of the shot may not be to everyones' liking but we thought it added something - overall a very nice portrait.