This month’s theme is “Travelling Light”, which is aimed at travelling without a lot of luggage.
Our Guest judge for this theme is Dan Sandy. It’s Dan’s debut judging for APG, but we’re sure he’ll be back in the future.
Dan believes that anything can be beautiful with the right lighting and angle. His work focuses on visually striking imagery, particularly in wide-angle landscapes and dynamic compositions across multiple genres. As a former board member of the Cleveland Photographic Society, He has contributed to shaping the club’s direction while supporting photographers through competitions, mentoring, and collaborative efforts.
Over the years, his work has earned numerous first-place awards, Photo of the Year honours, and recognition for excellence in competition. His photos have been published in newspapers, magazines, online platforms, and photography books, reinforcing my dedication to the craft. Whether capturing vast landscapes or intimate moments, he strives to bring a thoughtful and creative perspective to every frame.
Dan shares his work via his website.
Well done to everyone who took part, and congratulations to those who were selected and are featured in the current August edition of the Algarve Plus Magazine.
The next theme for Algarve Plus for September will be: Festivals and our judge will be Richard Sprengler.
Selected & Published Images
Words of Wisdom
1st Place: 11 Bus Stop by Glyn Parry
Exposure is well-balanced, and the shallow depth of field keeps the focus on the bag while allowing the surrounding textures to complement the scene. The stone sidewalk introduces a sense of movement that makes the composition feel dynamic. The contrast between the sky and the sign in the background, especially near the top right, draws a bit too much attention and could be darkened to create a more cohesive look.
Similarly, the bag’s color stands out in a way that competes with the overall composition, and converting the image to black and white could bring out textures and tonal contrast in a way that feels more refined. The man in the background adds an intriguing story element, reinforcing the sense of place and suggesting a quiet narrative unfolding within the scene.
2nd Place: 04 Travelling Light by Roger Fuller
The emotional weight of travel is powerfully conveyed through the subject’s posture and expression, reinforcing a deep sense of exhaustion. The viewpoint and leading lines draw the viewer in, creating a strong visual flow that enhances the storytelling. While the mood is compelling, the interplay of harsh sunlight and deep shadows creates some exposure challenges, particularly on the person’s face.
A shallower depth of field could have further isolated the subject, reducing background distractions and strengthening the overall impact of the shot. Despite these minor technical aspects, the composition succeeds in conveying a powerful narrative.
3rd Place: 01 Walking by Ina Tanzer
Visually compelling, the composition evokes a strong narrative about survival and the harsh realities of life on the road. The mood and subject align beautifully, reinforcing the emotional weight of the story. The leading lines from the railway create depth and movement, effectively guiding the viewer through the frame. While the textured sky enhances the rugged theme, the noise feels slightly overwhelming and could be balanced for clarity.
The placement of the subject is well-considered, though the reed merging with their arm and leg subtly disrupts the composition; perhaps a slight shift of the camera to the right could have transformed it into a framing element rather than a distraction. Overall, this is a thought-provoking and powerful capture.
4th Place: 05 Beach Baby by Jan Chapman
A technically strong execution, with spot-on exposure, sharp focus, and well-controlled depth of field. However, it lacks a compelling story, feeling more like a staged still life rather than an organic, naturally unfolding scene. The elements are well-placed but don’t evoke a clear narrative, leaving the viewer searching for deeper meaning. Additionally, the objects just above the rocks in the background create some visual clutter, pulling attention away from the primary subject. While technically impressive, a stronger sense of story could elevate this image even further.
5th Place: 12 Just the one, thanks. by Daryl Gabin.
Focus is sharp throughout the frame, complementing the textures of the stone tiles and other detailed surfaces. The person’s leading toe pointing toward the bottom corner, along with the leading lines formed by the darker tiles, helps create a natural sense of movement and flow. Exposure is well-balanced overall, though the pants and baggage appear slightly darker than the rest of the scene, and brightening those areas could bring out more texture and visibility without changing the overall mood.
Main Gallery
