Alvar Astulez

Alvar Astulez's photography is more landscape oriented. I like this one due to its contrasting colors from the warmth of the red to the cool of the greens and blue hues up at the top. I like how the picture has a sense of depth from the way the forest fades into the background with the heavy mist and blinding sunlight. I think the tree might have stood out better if they weren't as so heavily shadowed.

  

More work at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesuscm/6406370417/

Sharon Johnstone

Sharon Johnstone's works are more nature focused, with many examples of fine macro photography.  I especially like this one due to its warm, sunny colors and its focus springing from the left side rather than from the bottom. Part of the dandelion is blurred so that we are drawn to the water droplets. The background is also nicely shadowed the further you go down. I feel as though the slight tinges of blue in the water droplets could have been repeated in the background somehow to make them pop out more.

More work at:  http://sjfinearts.com/

Zena Holloway

Zena Holloway is also known for her advertisement photography, especially her underwater photos, which I found extremely interesting. While some of her work is clearly photoshopped, I like the concepts. I like this one specifically because of the dark background and the light colors on the model and her dress. There's such movement in this image and a strange otherworldly feeling. I like how the figure almost has a heart shape to them, and how the bottom of the dress is more shadowed and blue while the upper part is a light brown and not quite so darkened. I think it might have been better with stronger lighting on her face.

More work at: http://www.photizm8.co.uk/zena/

Joanna Kustra

I found this photo by Joanna Kustra when looking up ideas for portrait/model photo shoots. I really liked the red and blue contrasts throughout this image and the sharpness of her facial features. I like that the head is tilted but the eyes are still directed forward, though not in an intimidating manner. I feel as though there are traces of faint freckles on her face and would have liked to have seen them brought forward more. I do like how the red hues of her hair and the blues of the background are enhanced by the lighting against her skin.

Image from: http://pinterest.com/pin/553239135445261578/

More work at: http://www.joannakustra.com/

Sebastian Kim

Sebastian Kim's photography focuses mainly on fashion, and more specifically, advertisements. I discovered his work recently when researching advertising and photography examples for my own assignments. I find this piece stands out due to its simple but cool color scheme. I  like how the model is facing the viewer, but the head does feel ever so slightly tilted, and the body is leaning forward, creating nice shadowing along her right side contrasted nicely against the light coming from what feels like an open window. I do feel as though her eyes could have stood out more.

More work at: http://www.sebastiankim.com/

Antony Spencer

I like this photo by Antony Spencer because of the sense of depth you get from the unending row of vivid purple flowers, stretching off into the horizon and mist. The colors are beautifully offset by the rising sun and the pink hue in the clouds. I like the angle of this photo, though I might have appreciated it more if it was taken a bit lower, to make you feel level with the flowers. I also think it would have stood out better if it didn't have a dark fade in the two upper corners.

Image from: http://bp4.uuuploads.com/landscape-photography/landscape-photography-15-large.jpg

More work at: http://1x.com/member/antonyspencer

Maria Helena Buckley

This photo was taken by Maria Buckly and I really like the subtle, warm, earthy colors, especially in the skin tones and the backgrounds. I like how the focus is on the center ballerina, and that she's turned away from us, giving her a very contemplative expression. I also think the lighting being behind her, creating shadows on her back, creates a more interesting image. The fade, with the appearance of mist in the background, is very well done and not too abrupt. Also the expression on the ballerina to her right catches your attention and leads you into the background more.

Image from: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/ballerinas-berlin/

More work at: http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/profile/10416/