It’s that time again. Time to announce the winner of the 2nd DSLR Workshops photo contest.
Obviously, this contest was harder to judge than the last one since there were a lot more entries and a lot to choose from. I was the only judge so I went through lots and lots of photos and came up with a winner. I went back and forth between the winner and then I just asked myself the simple question “which one would I want hanging on my wall?” That doesn’t make the answer any easier, but I had to pick a winner!
So without further ado, the winner of the $100 B and H gift card is…
Raymond So. Raymond has actually taken both my workshops. He took Part I April 2010 and Part II May in New York, NY. When you look at all aspects involved in his photo, it has it all. Composition, great subject, sharp, great dynamic range and his image just makes you want to explore it. Not to mention it’s a panoramic comprised of 6 images. Would it have won if it wasn’t a panoramic? I can honestly say it wouldn’t have, but think the aspect of photographing it as a panoramic which can bring your landscape subjects closer to your viewer turned this potentially OK shot into a winner!
Clamming at Salem Harbor by David Brown
Second place goes to David Brown of Boston. He took my Part I workshop in Boston May 2009. John didn’t get any extra points for waking up at 5:30, but it show everyone (including myself) what we’re missing out on early morning. Having a definite subject is an important part of an image that can be overlooked. Landscapes are great but sometimes they need something or someone to tell a story even if that story may be totally imaged. The man clamming might be trying to be scrape together money for his family or he might be a multimillionaire just doing it as a hobby… who knows! Either way, the lighting and composition work great in this shot.
Beach Fun by Nilda Rosado
Third place goes to Nilda Rosado. She took my workshop March 2010 in Philadelphia, PA. I think this photo speaks for itself. It’s a great action shot that makes me want to go jump in the ocean, but I’ll have to wait until September.
Here are a few honorable mentions.
Brandon Hunter
Valerie Robinson
Jason Smith
Thanks to everyone that entered. It was tough to pick just 3 and there are even more good shots than the honorable mentions. The next contest period runs from July 1st to December 31 and you can submit your photos in January 2011. You must take the photos between those dates or they don’t count. A few that were entered were from before or after January 1 – June 30 so check the date in the metadata if you’re not sure and good luck for the next contest!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful first place winner! Congrats Raymond!!
Nice Shot !!!! Raymond
beautiful pics great eyes. wouldnt mind seeing the other entries
Nice shot Raymond!
Nice job Valerie!! What software would one use to get a picture to look like yours?
Great pictures, I love the action picture where the little girl is caught jumping. Fantastic picture!!!
Great pics! Job well done. Where was the winning photo taken? Congrats!
Thanks, guys! Great job everyone, job well done!
@ Vivian – That shot was taken at Hoover Dam overlooking the Coloroda River. It’s a different perspective since most of the time you see Hoover Dam’s view from the other side.
@ Valerie – Is that PS or other software?
Thanks all! I strictly use PS. I just added a vintage feel and a bit of grain to the photo.
Hey Everybody,
I always feel that the winners in photo contests are not the best photographers but the best Photoshop users. Do you think it is fair? I know that in modern age post work is very important and necessary but to what extend? Does anybody else see that line where the hills are darker on top and very light on the bottom? Makes me wonder that the river in reality probaly is a different color, and the sky is probably not that blue. So what are we looking at? Is it painting or a photo? Maybe I am too old fashioned but I always thought the photography let’s us capture a moment of our lives, captures a history, a truth.
Hey Igor, I hate to break the news to you, but that’s what it looks like in person. No photoshop in that image other than stitching multiple images together. Just google images of the dam and you’ll see or better yet, go in person and that’s what you’ll see. Now photoshop would be having everything the same color. I would say isn’t nature amazing, but there’s more manmade stuff going on in this scene anyway!
Igor,
What you see here is a 12 frame stitch. I am no pro photographer, but there’s no Photoshop involve in this shot only Lightroom to process the RAW files. I was using a CPL and that’s why the sky is blue. Okello is right, if this picture was created in Photoshop then colors would’ve been all uniformed. I don’t know what else to tell you, but what you see here is the TRUTH and I have 12 RAW files to back that up.
In this case my hat is off to you. Great shot and you deserve number 1 spot. It is just weird, would you agree, photoshop is everywhere. Remeber that scandal with Demi Moore on the cover of some magazine were she was so “photoshoped” that it created a devostation among everybody. I just want to see real photos and know that I am looking at reality through the eyes of photographer. Sorry for being sceptical.