Welcome to another fantastic week of photography brilliance from the incredibly talented students at Stranraer Academy. Once again, I found myself truly impressed by the sheer number of submissions that landed in my inbox. As I peruse through these remarkable works, I want to reassure those who may not have been featured this week that your moment in the limelight is certainly on the horizon.

Last Thursday, the Higher Photography group explored Kirkmadrine Church, offering a splendid setting to unleash the group’s creativity in terms of composition, lighting, texture, and pattern. In an exciting update, I’ve introduced new technology to the website, enabling the creation of inventive interactive elements. This week, we have a poll that allows you to cast your vote for your favourite photograph. Enjoy the engagement!

Now, let’s delve into this week’s highlights.

“Warmth Amidst the Leaves” by Kodi Bass

Kodi Bass begins our showcase with an astonishing photograph. The warmth radiating through the leaves leaves viewers speechless. Sun rays form a simplistic pattern, contrasting perfectly against the autumn leaves. The yellows and oranges create harmony, with the grassy area providing just enough space, preventing overcrowding.

“Gothic Grace” by Carly Brown

Carly Brown’s composition perfectly adheres to the rule of thirds, with the rule of odds applied to the tombstones. Rich textures contrast against the soft sky, and muted tones add drama. Carly’s sharp focus keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

“Road to Fall” by Kalli Garrett

Kalli Garrett presents a flawless autumn image where reddish-orange hues balance and complement the greens. The stark sun catches the eye, adding warmth with subtle tonal values for depth.

“Suburban Sunset” by Marcus William

Marcus William uses the sunset to craft a sharp silhouette of a suburban neighbourhood. Warm oranges bring vibrancy, while clouds form unique organic patterns. A mid f-number introduces softness to the background, enhancing depth.

“Serpent Awakening in Kirkmadrine” by Ross Collins

Ross Collins captures a mythical creature at Kirkmadrine, skillfully placing the serpent at the image’s centre. Sunrays highlight the subject, framed confidently by a collection of branches.

“Where Sky Meets Earth” by Eva Christine

Eva Christine has made great use of texture with rough sands balanced against the dramatic sky. Symmetry and the rule of thirds maintain the correct visual weight, with lines in the sand guiding the viewer towards the background.

“A Walk Among Tombstones” by Archie McCubbin

Archie McCubbin uses tombstones as an invisible leading line, guiding the viewer from foreground to background. The rough texture of the church contrasts with soft rolling hills, and the dramatic sky fits perfectly with the subject matter.

“Nature’s Gradual Retreat” by Olivia Whitelaw

Olivia Whitelaw employs scale and negative space to guide the viewer across the image. The left-to-right rule has been expertly employed as larger trees shrink to smaller ones, guiding the viewer. The centred sun adds a striking focal point, and backlighting creates wonderful patterns in the trees.

“Field of Memory” by Jack Barrett

Jack Barrett perfectly captures the passage of time in the rule of thirds. A stone wall introduces rough textures as nature reclaims its once strong structure. The image’s tonal values contribute to a profound sense of depth.

“Windswept Remembrance” by Jack Barrett

In another piece by Jack Barrett, a centred composition demands the viewer’s attention at the memorial. Perfect balance between negative and positive space, along with the varied pattern of trees, makes for a compelling image.

Finally, during S1 media studies today, our wonderful headteacher Mr Jamie Farquhar graciously assisted students with elegant poses. “Airborne Leadership” by Leigha Ferguson perfectly captures Mr Farquhar mid-air, featuring a centred composition with balanced light, creating warmth against the cooler blues of the street.

Stay tuned for more stunning images next week.

Kindly channel your submissions to gw19jamesross@glow.sch.uk.