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Been there photo competition, February 2010

See the best and brightest entries to last month's competition, which took the theme of 'colour'
  
  


February photo comp: Banana lady in Bali
I found this beautiful lady in the open market of Bedugul in Bali. I bought some bananas from her but, in truth, I didn't really want the bananas; I wanted to take her picture and had to find some way of first winning her trust. I think I succeeded - she made a terrific model Photograph: Benjamin Arthur/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Bathing in the Ganges
Varanasi, India. Early morning bathing in the Ganges during the Shiva festival Photograph: Ruby Honnor/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Beach huts in Cape Town
Cape Town. A storm gathers in one direction, while the rising sun illuminates these beach huts from the other Photograph: Jamie Lafferty/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Blue footed boobies, Galapagos
This image was taken in the Galapagos Islands and the birds are blue footed boobies. When in water their feet are the perfect disguise but on land it creates this colour cut-out effect Photograph: Christina Reif/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Bright buildings, NYC
This was taken about a year ago in New York. I really like this photo simply because of the golden, vibrant colours of the buildings which make them seem toy like Photograph: Elliot Ryan/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Carnical in Angers
This was taken last September in Angers, France, during the town's annual 'Accroche-Coeurs' street theatre festival. The theme was 'Angels and Demons' and I snapped these angels stripping off to reveal their devilish interior! The blue sky contrasting with the devilish red and discarded white clothes of the angels really grab your attention Photograph: Heather Thompson/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Colourful bottles in Mumbai
This picture was taken at Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai. I have literally no idea what's in those bottles Photograph: Patrick Jones/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Flying a kite in Wales
Barmouth in the background. A clear and beautiful day in North Wales Photograph: Sarah West/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Fruit stall in Katharagama
I took this photo outside of the temple at Katharagama in Sri Lanka. The fruit on sale at the market is primarily intended to be used as an offering by both Hindus and Buddhists at the temple Photograph: Daria Wadsworth/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: La Raya, Peru
This was taken at a place called La Raya in Peru - 4,033m above sea level, the highest point of crossing the Andes on the route between Cuzco and Puno Photograph: Miranda Lloyd/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Lanterns at Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju, South Korea.
Lanterns at Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju, South Korea. On our way to visit a grotto on Mount Tohamsan in Gyeongju we were greeted with colourful lanterns and amazing views in what felt like the middle of nowhere Photograph: Miranda Lowe/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Luna Park, Melbourne
This is the dazzling entrance to Luna Park, a vintage amusement park in Melbourne, Australia, with the tracks of the world's oldest [continually operating] wooden rollercoaster travelling through it Photograph: Simon Ryan/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Monk at waterfall, laos
Kuang Si falls, Laos. I love the image of the monk in his almost luminous orange robes, held in contemplation as if meditating upon the power of nature Photograph: Rory McCready/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Notting Hill Carnival, London
Notting Hill Carnival in London, is a parade where the streets come alive with loud music, Caribbean floats and audacious costumes. Among the chaos I caught sight of this dancer. The clouds of colours that engulfed her as she shifted gracefully through the crowd seemed to carry her, making what I'm sure was hard work look effortless Photograph: Brigid Moloney/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Red umbrella at Angkor Wat
This red umbrella was spotted in Angkor Wat. The Cambodian sun that day was fierce so I'm sure the umbrella served a useful function for the Japanese tourist beneath it. For me it provided a striking contrast with the ancient stone steps leading up to the heart of the largest religious structure on earth Photograph: Benjamin Arthur/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Swedish fishing village
This is the little fishing village of Fjallbacka, on the western coast of Sweden. In summer, this popular resort, which has been attracting Swedish tourists for several decades (actress Ingrid Bergmann spent many a holiday here) is buzzing with activity. In winter however, the place is all but deserted, although just as beautiful Photograph: Marie Peyre/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Victoria embankment at night
I look for any excuse to cross Victoria Embankment, especially at night Photograph: Deji Fisher/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Tractor in Trinidad, Cuba
It was taken in Trinidad, Cuba where I was recently on holiday. The colours of the tractor, the surrounding buildings, and the sky really caught my eye Photograph: Rory McDonald/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Sunset in La Restinga
Renee Taylor: The image is of the sunset in La Restinga [in the Canary Islands]. The reflection is created by placing the camera on a marble wall.
Judge Natalie Mayer: Without the description, I wouldn't be able to tell exactly what this is, which is why this shot didn't win. But, the colours are wonderful, and that doesn't always happen by chance. Quite often with sunset shots, the camera will force your exposure brighter, and then you don't get such deep vibrant colours. So 10 out of 10 for exposure on this one. If that fella to the right had been moved into the light area a little more, his legs wouldn't disappear, and that would help the over all composition. A slight shift in angle would help too, so that we get more information about what it is that we are looking at.
Photograph: Renee Taylor/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: A Sausage dog waits for his owner in Havana, Cuba
Gen Whittington: A sausage dog waits for his owner in Havana, Cuba.
Judge Natalie Mayer: I love this. If the dog had being 'doing' something, it might have been a winner. Just a yawn, or a bark, something to give the shot a little more life and interest for the viewer. I think it is important with travel photography to find an interesting scene, and then wait for it to get better. You need to catch a moment; you have to wait for that little extra to happen.
Photograph: Gen Whittington/guardian.co.uk
February photo comp: Bright boca in Buenos Aires
Doug Nicholls: The striking, primary colours of La Boca in Buenos Aires are a great tonic when you're escaping the dreary monotone of a British inner city in the winter.
Judge Natalie Mayer: This is a nice shot which could have easily slipped from a photographer's notice. The photographer has successfully closed in on an interesting detail of an everyday scene, giving the image lovely shapes that are very pleasing to look at - the triangle of the ladder really makes it. Since the painter is the main subject, he might have benefitted from being just a touch further into the shot - this would make it just a little more comfortable for the eye, in my opinion. Well spotted though, I like this one!
Photograph: Doug Nicholls/guardian.co.uk
 

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