Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by Beaubeau:
Just fabulous - love everything about it.

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by US2UK:
I'm so chuffed (learning the UK lingo) to have won first place with this photo. Thank you so much for your votes and the blue ribbon!!! This was our first day in Iceland (after a 7 hour delay departing London, and getting into bed at 2am). We received word they were closing the mountain we had to cross to get to our Airbnb at 11am so we left Reykjavik early to ensure we made it before the roads closed. As you can see it was grey skies with snow/sleet the whole way (and the winds, oh my!). As we came into Vik I told my husband "that's the church I want a photo of" and he immediately turned and climbed the hill to the church. The clouds were so low and the compositions just weren't working for me. So I told him "it's ok we'll try again when we come back through." He pulled over to this side parking lot and turned the car around so I was facing the church. I said "YES!" I saw what many of you commented on -- the red roof against the lack of color in the rest of the shot, the church with the stormy seas/jagged rocks in the background, the lights on in the church in the midst of the storm, and yes that pile of dirt that is distracting (Lol!). A little detail extractor was able to bring out the detail in the clouds because they were quite flat and gray to the eye. It's my favorite photo from our 4 days in Iceland, and now to win a blue ribbon just makes it even better!!

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by Ammie:
Just wonderful, deserved blue! Congrats

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by jomari:
Beautiful. Top 3.

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by ltlmschrisss:
This brings a certain song into my head. I like the composition with the church and then the jagged rocks to the right. The ice tracks in the foreground are a little distracting though.

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by mariuca:
Can't imagine the life there. Great shot

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by GolferDDS:
I like the color of the roof against the rest of the almost colorless background. It draws you into the subject. Top 3

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by MeMex2:
wonderful !!!

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by GeorgesBogaert:
Amazing shot. The lights inside the church makes me wonder who would visit a church when it's that bad weather. My Red Dragon Award and an 8 from me

Refuge From the Storm
by US2UK

Comment by spencelg:
My pick for red in this challenge.