Hello all, firstly I want to thank Gwynn for asking me to judge this competition. It’s nice to be thought of, even though I’ve not been on the island in 2 years. Hoping to remedy that in April if all the stars align!
I hope everyone is staying safe during these tough times, I know it’s hard with the isolation and missing people and places, especially with Christmas around the corner. Hopefully a hobby like photography is keeping people busy, even through lockdowns.
The standard was, as usual, very good in this selection. I am a particular fan of images of alleyways, half-open doorways, stairwells… anything that leads the eye and lends an air of mystery and intrigue. I have loved these images since I was a child – always looking out for them in storybooks etc. Some of my most influential images growing up were of just such things. I was really excited to see all of your images, especially since I forgot to enter again! I had a lovely image of an umbrella alley in Slovakia to put in too! Oh well!
Thank you for entering, and for giving me a fun task to do on a rainy Sunday here in Ireland. LAURA WOODS
Beginners:
3rd place – Corralejo 2. Jim Cawkwell
I chose this image to be third place simply because it doesn’t have quite the same focal pull that the other two images had. It’s a pleasant image, and I enjoyed the placement of the streetlamps in the composition, but it just lacks any real story or focus elements for me personally.
2nd place – Corralejo 3. Jim Cawkwell
I really struggled with which of the remaining two images to place first and which to place second. In the end I placed this second because I really feel that the composition is just very slightly off, with a little too much space at the top. Initially I think I preferred it because it is nicely uncluttered and leads you towards the water and is a really pleasing image for those reasons.
1st place – Corralejo 1. Jim Cawkwell
In the end I went with my gut and chose this images for first place here because it has some really interesting elements. It is a little cluttered, but the more I looked at it, the more I found that I liked.I would have liked to see the foreground lamp in full, and I’d have liked a bit more focus and separation on the figures in the centre – but I really liked the bright red suitcase, the image feels like ‘coming home’ to me. I think I may have just composed it with a bit more space at the top, but this is a pleasing image that tells a tale.
Intermediate:
3rd place – Pretty Walk. Keith Dawson
I did not come to these placements lightly! These are all fantastic images, and this is a lovely shot of a really pretty scene. There’s great colour here, and the eye is led along the path to the little archway at the end, leaving you to wonder what is through there, where does the path go? I might have composed the shot just a smidgen closer to the arch. A really pleasing image with good clean lines and hints of a story there.
2nd place – Plenty of Greenery. Keith Dawson
I really liked this image, it is so vibrant. It really makes the viewer feel like they are there. I really want to visit now, looking at the photo I can almost hear the light buzzing of the bees in the plants and smell the fresh greenery. Really lovely composition and it does keep you looking. I also like that the end of this alley appears to be hints of a busy shopping street or similar, so there’s the idea of leaving this lovely quiet place and going out into hustle and bustle. Really keeps you thinking.
1st place – Steep Steps. Keith Dawson Highly Commended
This is absolutely my kind of image. I love the higgledy piggledy stairs, I love places like this in general. There is so much intrigue and so much of interest. Your eye is led through all the buildings and stairs, you want to know what’s going on behind every door and window. I love the light, out of darkness into the light, though I would have brightened the shadows a small bit on the figures in the foreground. Another interesting inclusion that makes this an interesting lifestyle photo as well. It really captures a moment in time. Well done.
Experienced:
Alley in Corralejo – Wendy Kerr
For me this image lacks a little in contrast and the highlights are a bit blown. It’s certainly an interesting view, and I think with a bit more contrast it would be a punchier image and tell more of a tale about the place. It certainly makes me want to know what’s around that bend, where is that figure coming from? The bike is also a nice addition.
Alley in El Cotillo – Wendy Kerr
I really like this image, nicely composed and with reasonable contrast (though I would like some more deep blacks and brighter whites). Obviously quite a bright day so the floor is well controlled, as it looks like it could have easily been blown out. The little dogs are a lovely cheeky addition that makes this photo more eyecatching. It has a nice reportage or street photography feel about it. A pleasing shot.
Alley in Granada – Wendy Kerr
I like this image. I don’t know if it would maybe work better in colour, or perhaps it would be too ‘cluttered’ feeling? As it stands it needs a bit more contrast, but the composition is very nice, and I do like the way it leads the eye towards the gate at the end and then up to the rooftop. Some nice architectural elements in here as well, which I really like, as it gives the image a real setting.
Alley to Pool – Helen
This has a sort of otherworldly, dreamy feel to it. I wonder if that was intentional – perhaps this photographer is dreaming of just such a little stroll to the pool? 🙂 It has a nice vibrancy to it. The eye is led along the pathway, through the alley of trees, and to the pool. The one thing I’d like is a touch more visibility on the pool. It would be nice just to have a hint of poolside to tantalise the viewer.
Beauty Beyond – Steve Hall
This is an interesting image. It initially looks like a warm place and sandy maybe? Palm trees etc… and then everyone seems to be wearing puffy coats and cold weather gear, so maybe it’s snow? Which doesn’t feel like it makes sense with the palm trees! Perhaps it’s a little blown on the sand/snow which makes it hard to make sense of. I do like the location and composition, looking through this tunnel into the bright greenery beyond is very pleasing.
Beyond – Carol Seridan
I think I can see what the photographer was going for here. It’s a really pleasing image that shows the lovely old uneven cobbles nicely, and they lead the eye to the tower in a very pleasing fashion. I think perhaps Id have raised the camera a touch, to get a bit more image at the top and a little less of the ground, or even just move back a small bit further, for maximum impact, but I really like this photo. It’s intriguing and attractive.
Blue Bike in the Alley – Helen
My eye is finding it difficult to settle on any one focal element in this image, it does go to the blue bike due to the title, but I’m not sure it would without the title. I think a slightly different angle with more focus on the bike, perhaps moving more towards the alley itself would help? At the moment it feels like it needs something to pull it together. That being said it’s a nicely controlled exposure with nice clean lines, and it’s a bold, vibrant image.
Bridging the Gap – Steve Hall
This is a really intriguing image, I feel like it’s somewhere I’ve been, I’d love to know where it is! I really like the feel of the image, the desire to know what lies beyond, the contrast between the forground arch and all of the others. I would like to see it straighter, but appreciate that could be just me, and that it may have been this way in reality, so to each their own. I think it could also work well as a black and white image.
Dead End – Alan Hillman
It certainly does what it says on the tin! I’m not too sure this image fits the competition criteria, but it’s a nice vibrant colour, and it’s interesting outside of the scope of the theme. There’s nothing really to lead the eye around the image, but I do like the contrast of the painted deadwood and the living palm.
El Quseern – Keith Vincent
I think this is an intriguing image. It leaves me frustrated as the viewer, because it feels like a dead end. There’s an interesting alley with some great doors (which I just want to explore), and then it leads to this sharp yellow wall – which rises up and meets the top of the image. It feels somewhat trapping. You are aware that there’s a path going both left and right, but it feels claustrophobic and opressive. I really like this, even if that’s not the intention. It certainly made me think!
End of the Shift – Mick West
An interesting choice for the image, I like the little bike in the foreground, but the car is a bit of a distraction. I think it would have been less distracting if it was fully visible. I think I maybe would have moved slightly to get the bike in and make more of a focal point of the man on the bench, and take the car out altogether if at all possible. I do like the mood and lighting on this very much, and it really does tell a tale.
Evening Walk – Alan Hillman
I do love a tree alley, or a tree tunnel! This is a nice image that generally gives you a feeling of calm and warmth. It looks a lovely spot to wander, and it’s a nice take on the theme of alleys. I think maybe the highlights are a little on the bright side, so that’s a little distracting, but on the whole it’s a pleasant image.
Hidden – Carol Sheridan
This is a lovely little laneway, really atmospheric and intriguing. The way the cobbled lane leads you through the image is really nice. It leaves you wondering about hte doors, who lives there, who walks this way etc. The hanging branches and leaves look like festive bunting which is a nice touch too. A really lovely shot.
Life at the End of the Tunnel – Mick West
This is a really interesting shot with lots of great potential. I love this idea of looking down a long, narrow, dark alley into the scene beyond, it gives us a feeling of being kept away from the subject, creating intrigue. I would have liked this to be closer though – to give more detail on the person at the end of the alley (eating pizza?) I think that could have been an interesting street photography vibe. I also find the pipes in the foreground a bit distracting. On the whole though it’s a really good image.
Magical – Carol Sheridan
I love the subject matter here, but I feel it just missed the mark a bit on focus. I’d like to see more of the wall in sharp focus, and maybe pulled a bit wider, so there’s more of the end of the tunnel visible too. It’s a fab location though, I especially like the horses at the edge, which feel like they lead you into the image. There is a nice flow through the grafitti. cracker.
Must Go Down To The Sea Again – Keith Vincent
I like the nice straight horizon line on this one, and the vibrant colour. It reminds me of warm summer days with the fresh sea breeze coming in. A nice shot, but I think I’d have liked to see the people a bit better or not at all if I’m honest. Nice image!
Talmont Sur Gironde – Paul Armitage
This looks like a really lovely peaceful place, somewhere it would be lovely to visit and sit outside for a while soaking up the atmosphere. I feel it does miss the mark for me for this theme, as I see no real alleys or tunnels, and I think the out of focus flowers are a bit distracting. Nice spot though.
Time Tunnel – Steve Hall
I quite like this one, there’s reasonable contrast, and it’s pretty nicely exposed. There’s good texture here and I like the way it leads the eye through the image. All the best path/alleyway images, for me, are ones where you really have to imagine where they are going, plenty of intrigue and mystery. This has that for me so well done!
Twilight Stroll – Alan Sheridan
For me this image isn’t quite there – there’s a real lack of clarity or focal points. It’s a nice snapshot of a walk with friends, but doesn’t really feel like it has all the elements to be a strong image. It’s certainly an interesting location, and I think revisiting it would be a really good way to see what you could come up with in the future!
Umberalley – Alan Sheridan
I love umbrella streets – I’ve come across a few now, and they are always exciting! This is a nice colourful shot, though I think a different angle may have been more effective. There is so much you can do with these umbrella streets. Nicely observed location, and I think revisiting it and trying more angles would be excellent.
Unexpected View – Alan Hillman
This is a really interesting image, and I like it very much. For me it doesn’t fit the theme, due to not being able to tell if it’s in an alley or not (I assume it is, but it needs to be self explanatory I think). I do love the clarity of this shot though, it’s super quirky and it does seem to tell an interesting tale/snapshot of life. Well done.
White Horse Griffin – Mick West
I really like the elements in this image that allow me to fantasise about what’s going on through the alley, behind the doors… This is a gorgeous spot for a photo, and I think it could be improved by being a bit further away and having the building lines a bit straighter. Really like the concept though, and it’s altogether a really interesting shot.
Woodland Alley – Ken Johnson
This is a really evocative shot, dreamlike. I think maybe I’d bring the top of the image down just a smidgen, but this is a minor niggle. Nice soft focus helps to make this have a more dreamlike quality, as if remembering hazy summer days. I like the figures and the bridge railings, they add some interesting elements – but I would possibly think about altering the silver/grey tree trunks in the background as they are a bit distracting. Altogether quite a nice shot.
Zig Zag Alley – Helen
I see what the photographer was trying to do here and it’s a nice idea. I don’t know if it quite shouts ‘alley’ to me, but it did to the photographer clearly. I like crop/composition, and think the colours and clarity are nice, but it feels like it’s lacking a focal point really. Maybe shooting from a different angle could help with this?
Alley to Pub – Ken Johnson Highly Commended
I like the grittiness and detail of this, especially on the floor. The cone could be an interesting element or a distraction in this image, I think personally it’s a really interesting element in this time of covid 19 lockdown, the hubs of our communities are out of bounds. That’s what I feel in this image. I think this could also work well in black and white.
Malta Alley – Ken Johnson Highly Commended
I really enjoyed this image. It made me want to visit the place. I really like the shine on the stones, it’s very atmospheric and leads you through the image. It captures the feel and the life of the place, and there’s a real vibrancy. I think it could have been even more interesting if there was a figure or two, sitting for coffee, or walking through, but generally this is a fab shot.
Algarve Alley – Alan Sheridan Highly Commended
This is a beautiful shot. The light is glorious, and it instantly took me back to Portugal trips. The tiles are just a gorgeous inclusion. The image is overall very nicely exposed, nice golden light and there’s a hint of that wonderful sheen that Portuguese cobblestones all seem to have. Really pleasing image that leads the eye through on a gentle diagonal, and would be a pleasure to hang on any wall.
Dubrovnik Alleyway – Duncan Gray 3rd Place
I absolutely love this image. It has so much going for it, so many fascinating focal elements! It feels like it tells a story of ordinary life there in some way. The colours are super and the composition is great. It really makes me want to visit and see what’s down every alley and at the top of the stairs. What’s going on behind those doors?! Some great architectural elements too. On the whole an image that really gets my creative mind working.
One Lamp – Keith Vincent 2nd Place
This is very much my kind of image. I love the lamp, it’s just perfect, there’s a real sense of mystery and intrigue about this image, the street is beautifully interesting, and the eyes are led to the steps, and you can’t help but wonder where it goes. It’s really enticing. Asolutely love the tones and textures and the sheen on the floor – and then the real pop of vibrant colour in the lamp. Perfect.
Monreal Street Scene – Duncan Gray 1st Place
This really grabbed my attention. I love it. It keeps you looking for so long, there is so much to see here and yet it doesn’t feel cluttered. It feels balanced and interesting. I love the two ladies on the balconies, watching the world go by. I was so interested in finding out where this was too. A real cracker.
