Glyn Paton writes:

Winner

Salvador’s horse-01. Camargue, France by AndreJa Ravnak

The almost mono tonality of this image is very important in conveying mood and atmosphere.  The position and posture of the lead horse help to give this picture its strength and impact.  The Camargue horses are shown beautifully, pin sharp and perfectly exposed.  It’s a tight crop but it works well.  Obviously, the low position of the photographer is very important and adds to the drama of the image. Overall, though and what makes this image really stand out is its composition. It isn’t easy getting four horses all in good poses and in good positions relative to each other, but this image achieves that.  So given all the points expressed I hope you can understand why this is my image of the month

Highly Commendeds

Haymaker in Havana by Gareth Hughes

Black and white is exactly right for this backstreet Cuban gym.  The background tells its own story of poverty.  Peeling walls, graffiti, bare wires and the very nature of the makeshift way the punch bag apparatus is put together.  The assorted bags on the shelf tell their own little story of dedication to sport through tough conditions. The boxer is captured at the right moment, dynamically landing a punch on the training bag.  A good action and travel shot.

Ganvie floating village. Cotonou, Benin by Andrew Gasson 

Obviously, the beauty of the net suspended in mid air makes this image.  Catching this ancient fishing device at just the right moment must have been no mean feat.  The shape made by the net is echoed and complemented by the clouds behind.  As the eye moves from the net to the clouds you then come down to the reed bed at the back of the shot and the other fisherman standing in his boat.  This detail is important to add extra context to this travel shot.

An offering at Tengboche, Nepal by George Pearson 

It’s the light that transforms this image.  It really makes the little child stand out, dwarfed by the column of fearful gods.  The look of awe, possibly reverence on the face is important, as are the clothes.  Those charming shoes and trousers and slightly too large a headdress.  The offering appears to be orange segments.  A healthy eating god!  The image of the child and the column of gods and goddesses make it a strong image, but it could be stronger still if the wall in the background could be darkened down.