Amateur Photographer of the Year

1 Daniel Newton Dubai 100pts

Nikon Z 7, 24-70mm at 29mm, 1/200sec at f/11, ISO 64

This was a unanimously recognised and well-received image, achieving placings and commendations from nine of the ten judges. A classic, bucolic landscape scene it most certainly is not, but that’s what makes it stand out. There’s an odd balance of bleakness and anticipation here. Bleak, of course, thanks to the desolate sand dunes that flank the empty road, while the anticipation comes from the sense that the viewer is heading somewhere. We can’t help but be curious as to what might exist beyond the horizon. The interesting processing adds to the overall effect. By desaturating and toning the image in the way he