Untitled, 2009 by Thomas Jackson

Contender Thomas Jackson writes that he "got into photography late," having picked up a camera just a few years ago after working as a writer and magazine editor for over ten years. It wasn't until he had gone through phases of 35mm street photography and "Richard Misrach-style" landscapes that he came to create his own unique body of work. The photographs, which could easily be mistaken for stills from an upcoming Pixar film, blend "pyrotechnically enhanced, sci-fi inspired sculptures with everyday environments."

Approaching the enigmatic glow of an abandoned bonfire is Tom's clunky robot character who appears throughout the entire series, sometimes in surreal settings such as the forest below, and other times doing laundry or driving a wheelbarrow. The series alternates between scenes of ethereal fantasy and the day-to-day grind of domesticity until the line between the two has blurred.

Untitled, 2009 by Thomas Jackson

To me, the images have a strong sense of narrative, which undoubtedly comes from Tom's background as a writer, but also evoke surreal and eerie tones through their carefully constructed lighting. The series presents an unusually imaginative response to our desire to escape the most tedious aspects of our lives.

You can see the complete series over at Tom's portfolio.