Set Subject Digital Competition - February

An image using any example of an "Urban Landscape", as the dominant theme. The image may be presented using conventional or creative/experimental techniques.
TIP: Urban Landscape is different from other genres like Cityscapes, Architectural or Street. As is common with photography, a clear definition is hard to come by. But you’ll know it when you see it. For inspiration, try Flickr Groups or Getty Images. Then let loose your own imagination and flair.
Judged by Roy Killen
SOME ADDITIONAL GENERAL COMMENTS
I believe quite strongly that photographic images should be seen as a means of visual communication. Ideally, they should communicate as clearly as words. When there is a set subject (such as ‘the urban landscape’) I believe that the photographer’s main responsibility is to present image that communicate clear messages about that subject. It is up to the photographer to decide what that message is—it could be anything from ‘look how ugly this scene is’ to ‘ can you imagine what might be happening behind this closed door’. When the communication fails (because no clear message or emotion is conveyed by the image) the image cannot be considered a total success. There were some images in this set where the photographer does not seem to have asked two very basic questions before taking (or editing) the image. Those questions are: ‘What do I want my image to say about the urban landscape?’ and ‘How can I capture and present an image that will make my intentions clear to viewers?’
All of the images demonstrated that the photographers have the technical skills to use their cameras as a simple recording device – point it in the direction of something interesting and capture an accurate record of the scene. However, not everyone was able to go the next step and create an expressive image that went beyond ‘what the camera saw’ and revealed something about ‘what the photographer saw that prompted him/her to take the photograph’. I would encourage these photographers to take the next step of trying to capture more expressive images – images that have a clear message or that create a strong emotional reaction in the viewer, or that challenge the viewer in some way. I would also encourage all your members to try to achieve this goal ‘in camera’ (as far as possible).
Quite a few of the images have undergone heavy processing. In an open competition it is appropriate to do this in order to achieve a particular goal. However, it is easy to overdo the processing to the point where the effect is more dominant than the subject or subject matter of the image. At this point the effect becomes a distraction rather than an enhancement. The purpose of all image editing should be to improve the image. Just because a processing technique makes an image different this does not mean that it makes it better.