Travel Image of the Month - December 2022

Our judge this month, Richard Lewis, writes:

There were twenty images entered this month.  Together they comprise a good selection that covers a wide range of travel locations and themes., as well as a broad range of photographic styles and techniques.  Conveying sense of place remains a fundamental parameter in assessing the images.  The winning image shows that less is sometimes more although there were several strong contenders with more complex compositions.

Winning Image
St Olaf's Church, Luther, Montana - John Clare

This image exudes sense of place, and of time, by capturing the bleakness of the flat open North American plains in winter.  This is reinforced by the lack of colour and the overall cast.

A very simple image with the parcity of its featured content emphasised by the flat covering of snow.  It captures the harsh reality of rural life in that part of the world.  The small sparsely occupied cemetery reminds us of the settlers who, over the years, have embraced the unwelcoming conditions and called this remote community home.  Altogether, a very atmospheric image.

Highly Commended Images
Well done Granny, Vietnam - Jane Tearle

Sense of place comes from the colourful costumes, humble buildings and the simple action of tossing the rice, the movement of which is very nicely captured.

The small child's body language reveals fascination and engagement with the work in hand, while Granny looks on, clearly aware of the interest she is causing.

All in all a nicely framed and composed image.

Masai Mara Valley Sunrise - Gabriele Dellanave

Dramatic skies, with the slowly rising sun growing under layers of  textured clouds, speak volumes about time of day.

The effect is reinforced by the silhouettes of the tree and figure that also create the sense of place. From a composition perspective, the horizon is well positioned to give good balance to land and sky.

Horse Race at Ibra, Oman - Sanjoy Sengupta

A dramatic action shot showing derring-do atop a galloping horse.  The impact is enhanced by the white clad figures and horse head in sunlight contrasting with the shadows formed by that light.  The hazy yet dominant mountain backdrop and barren land join together with the event activity and participants to create the always essential sense of place.

2017-2018 winners, 2019 winners, 2020 winners, 2021 winners, 2022 winners