I really like the pose of the bird and the clarity in its tail and wings. Unfortunately the background is quite distracting and it would have helped if the photographer had got down to the bird’s eye level. Having tried this myself I know how difficult it is because the bird often flies off and you’re left with a nice shot of an empty lawn lol.

Mark Says: My first thought is that the focus is just slightly behind the eye. Pose is good, though I would have cropped a little of the (our) right of the frame.

The detail in the plume of steam is superb and I really like the composition as well. The colours are a little too saturated for my taste because it makes the image feel a little noisy. I also find the black rectangle in the bottom right corner a little distracting but overall this is a strong image which should do well.

.Mark Says: Love this shot. The smoke and steam from the chimney is very well held and has no blown highlights.
The red is a little saturated for my taste, but other than that, the overall tone is very nice.
Would make a super black and white too.

I’m not too sure about this because the sky and church tower look like they’ve been too heavily processed and therefore unnatural. I do like the composition and the signs really add depth to the photo. The people are well positioned in the frame and bring the image to life.

Mark Says: The church is a nice focal point, but other than that, the picture doesn’t do a great deal for me. The red “3 for 2” notice pulls the eye too much, as does the black shop front.

The delivery man stands out really well against the white building and is nicely positioned in the frame. There’s no doubt this is your focal point and makes for strong composition. I would have liked a little more contrast because the buildings to the left of the image are a somewhat faded.

Mark Says: The road leads into the shot quite nicely. The dark brick slightly draws my eye, but the delivery man is in a fair position, if not a little small in the frame, being the main subject of the title.
The sky does look slightly wrong – too bright compared to the street, which has no sun. Not saying it’s not as it was though!

I really like the strong contrast in this image because it brings out all of those wonderful textures. The tonal range has been well captured as well with detail in both the sky and foreground. I think the composition could have been improved by facing the boat at more of an angle and having it slightly off centre (perhaps being used as a lead in line to something in the distance).

Mark Says: Little too central for me – I would have turned just a bit so that the front had some space to move into.
Sky is nice, though the conversion has left it a little darker than would be expected for a bright sunny day.

Great composition with the path leading your eye through the photo to the lighthouse. The contrast and tonal range are excellent as well. Unfortunately the bench feels a bit lost and I think moving closer towards it with a lower viewpoint would help. I don’t mind the horizon being in the centre on this occasion because there’s detail in both the sky and foreground.

Mark Says: This is one I have seen on the forum – which is technically against the rules!
The seat is a little lost in the foreground, though the lighthouse is bright enough on the power third.

An excellent panning shot with a real sense of speed. The composition is very strong as well but the blue advertising in the background is competing for my attention. I think I would crop this out. I love how the rider is doing a small wheelie which shows great timing on the photographer’s part.

Mark Says: Nice shot of the bike. Well executed panning, though not the slowest shutter speed, has kept the bike and rider sharp. Good to see some of the track behind the rider, from where you assume he has come.
He is also positioned in the frame in the perfect place – space in front to ride into.

There is good tonal range here with plenty of detail but it’s a shame the watch is cut off. I think it would also have helped if the neck strap was around the photographer’s neck as I find it a little distracting. I presume this was taken looking into a mirror in which case it’s very clever how the word ‘Canon’ has been reversed.

Mark Says: Looks to be half a stop or so underexposed to me. The shirt is separated from the background. The top of his head seems to have a hot spot, presumably from the bounced flash.
The watch is cut off at the bottom of the frame – and both arms actually come out of nowhere.

I really like the different horizontal layers that make up this image but having the church dead centre doesn’t work for me. I like how all the lines made by people sledging radiate out from the church and the panoramic format works well too. The black spot on the skyline is a little off putting and I think cloning this out would strengthen the image.

Mark Says: The church is really too small and central for me to be the focal point. Also looks to be underexposed slightly.

A really atmospheric image with well controlled lighting. Positioning the figure off centre and giving her room to look into works very well. I would clone out the spot below the window on the left but otherwise I can’t fault this entry and it should do well.

Mark Says: Well framed shot of the lady, though the window behind her seems to have pulled the exposure. I would have liked some more light on her face to lift it away from both the window and the front of her dress.

Another well controlled panning shot with excellent clarity. The wheel movement has been captured very well and the streaky background gives a real sense of speed. I think the composition lets this image down as I’d have liked to have seen all of both cars in this shot.

Mark Says: Another well controlled panned shot, this time of the cars. The tight crop has worked quite well, though there is no room to move!

Beautiful colour reproduction and a very strong yet simplistic symmetrical composition. I think having the bell tower dead centre would work well in this instance and I’d therefore crop a slither off the right edge. Including the man gives a great sense of scale and works well.

Mark Says: The tower is nicely exposed, with a blue sky to complement it.
The tower, though does seem to be leaning slightly. The left side more than the right, which may be down to the lens.

My first entry in the open and what appealed to me was the branches wrapping around the street lamp. I was experimenting with adding a slight tint to the black and white conversion and quite like the effect. I wish there was a figure coming down the steps but I didn’t really want to hang around too long!

Mark Says: Good conversion to B&W. The lighting is well controlled and allows the viewer to see right up the stairs, which lead the viewer right into the frame.

Great atmosphere and a really moody image with that lovely mist. I like the composition and I think angling the canal and boat works very well. I would have been tempted to try a black and white conversion on this as well.

Mark Says: If the boat was going the other way, then I would say the composition would have been excellent. As it is, there is no room in front – but loads behind. The dullness of the picture does complement the foggy day.

This is one of my favourites this month. The fiery sky echoes the atmosphere from past sieges and the lighting is fabulous as it really brings out the textures. I’m not sure about the flagpole though and I think the image might be better without it but perhaps that’s just my taste.

Mark Says: I like this shot. Very dramatic angle and toning. I like the contrast between the two sides of the tower too.

The sky is washed out which is a pity because I like the bold composition and striking nature of this interesting building. I think a black and white conversion with more contrast would strengthen the image and bring out the texture of the stonework. That dark doorway really makes me want to go in and explore.

Mark Says: Nice enough record shot of the toll house. Sky is bland.

Another shot where the sky is unfortunately overexposed and, if possible, I’d have moved to the side in order to get the background deer out of shot. The photographer has achieved great eye contact with the deer and I really like the rustic colours. I also like how there are three deer because the number three is always strong compositionally.

Mark Says: The green is a little oversaturated for me. And the sky is very bland. Also, being so bright, it does tend to darken the deer.

My second entry which was taken on a lovely sunny day so I was able to make the background black. I’d love to see one of these in the wild but I don’t think I’d be able to get as close! I tried to get the eye on an intersection of thirds but I’m now wondering if I’ve cropped too closely at the top to achieve this.

Mark Says: This is a super framed shot of the eagle. Lighting is a little flat, but does set off the profile against the black background well.