Photos of the 2026 Competition's
Congratulations to the photographers featured here for their excellent work.
Congratulations to the photographers featured here for their excellent work.
You may click on any of the photos to see an enlarged version. Judges Edits.
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Abbey in the city of Bath, England - Rick Booker
Comments: 1. Wide angle adds impact; 2. overall good technique; 3. composition awkward with bright subject on right edge walking "out of" the right side of frame. Improvements: cropped top to eliminate dark upper left, cropped left to eliminate edge of bricks, cropped bottom to eliminate some of the pavement, toned down bright shirt, reduced overall brightness to bring out more texture in the sky (see edited photo 1a).
Comments: 1. Wide angle adds impact; 2. overall good technique; 3. composition awkward with bright subject on right edge walking "out of" the right side of frame. Improvements: cropped top to eliminate dark upper left, cropped left to eliminate edge of bricks, cropped bottom to eliminate some of the pavement, toned down bright shirt, reduced overall brightness to bring out more texture in the sky (see edited photo 1a).
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Big Boy - Vic Prislipsky
Comments: 1. The billowing smoke provides lots of impact and is a nice story line; 2. Overall good lighting and technique, but the perspective is pretty "normal." 3. And the composition is good. Improvement(?): Increase contrast a bit for better impact.
Comments: 1. The billowing smoke provides lots of impact and is a nice story line; 2. Overall good lighting and technique, but the perspective is pretty "normal." 3. And the composition is good. Improvement(?): Increase contrast a bit for better impact.
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Ease on down the Road - Laura Harlow
Comments: 1. Sunlight-shadows with the lightest stone in the lower left provides a bit of impact. 2. The lighting is pretty good -- there's good detail in both the sunlit and shadow areas and good color, but the overall lack of sharpness doesn't help. 3. Selective focus on the lightest stone makes that area of the frame the subject area, but the light stone is not as sharp as it should be. Improvements: Crop bottom and right to eliminate out of focus areas (but leave road in upper right); crop top to eliminate patches of sky and crop left for compositional and color-light balance (see photo 4a). But even with heavy cropping, there is no strong subject. Note: In my opinion, this is not a competition image
Comments: 1. Sunlight-shadows with the lightest stone in the lower left provides a bit of impact. 2. The lighting is pretty good -- there's good detail in both the sunlit and shadow areas and good color, but the overall lack of sharpness doesn't help. 3. Selective focus on the lightest stone makes that area of the frame the subject area, but the light stone is not as sharp as it should be. Improvements: Crop bottom and right to eliminate out of focus areas (but leave road in upper right); crop top to eliminate patches of sky and crop left for compositional and color-light balance (see photo 4a). But even with heavy cropping, there is no strong subject. Note: In my opinion, this is not a competition image
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Eyeing Us - Sue Whalen
Comments: 1. Great idea and result. 2.-3. Color, lighting, balance, and composition are all good, but the out of focus eyelash is a big problem. It is bright and very distracting, and it blocks the view to the reflection. Improvements: I checked the image's "properties," and the f-stop is f6.3. The only thing I can suggest is increase the ISO so that the maker could increase the f-stop (close down the lens opening) to increase depth of focus. Maybe changing the focus point would help, too. To improve the existing image, lighten the dark areas and darken the light areas.
Comments: 1. Great idea and result. 2.-3. Color, lighting, balance, and composition are all good, but the out of focus eyelash is a big problem. It is bright and very distracting, and it blocks the view to the reflection. Improvements: I checked the image's "properties," and the f-stop is f6.3. The only thing I can suggest is increase the ISO so that the maker could increase the f-stop (close down the lens opening) to increase depth of focus. Maybe changing the focus point would help, too. To improve the existing image, lighten the dark areas and darken the light areas.
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Fall Colors from on high - John Taylor
Comments: 1. In my opinion, this is an ordinary "nice" drone shot -- good, but not special or unusual. Also, in my opinion, wide and "deep" landscapes generally don't have much impact unless there is dramatic lighting or unusual patterns. 2. Good technicals. 3. Ordinary good composition. Improvements: Crop the sky, lighten the shadow areas, and darken the highlights, particularly the sandy beach (see photo 6a). Perhaps better yet, crop off the sky and bit off the bottom to focus viewers' attention on the subject golf green.
Comments: 1. In my opinion, this is an ordinary "nice" drone shot -- good, but not special or unusual. Also, in my opinion, wide and "deep" landscapes generally don't have much impact unless there is dramatic lighting or unusual patterns. 2. Good technicals. 3. Ordinary good composition. Improvements: Crop the sky, lighten the shadow areas, and darken the highlights, particularly the sandy beach (see photo 6a). Perhaps better yet, crop off the sky and bit off the bottom to focus viewers' attention on the subject golf green.
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Gulpha Gorge Amphitheater - Linda Banks
Comments: 1. Nice, but ordinary, perspective. I like the use of black and white instead of color. 2. Good lighting and focus. 3. Good center of interest and composition. Improvements: Crop a bit of the bottom, open up the shadows a bit, and tone down the highlights.
Comments: 1. Nice, but ordinary, perspective. I like the use of black and white instead of color. 2. Good lighting and focus. 3. Good center of interest and composition. Improvements: Crop a bit of the bottom, open up the shadows a bit, and tone down the highlights.
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Mushroom Hat - Shirley Pohlam
Comments: 1. The low camera angle is very effective in calling attention to the mushroom. 2. I like the depth of focus on the mushroom, the sharpness of the foreground, and the nicely out of focus background. 3. The composition is OK, though I prefer the vertical format (rather than a square) with a vertical subject. 4. I would also prefer to not have the green-tan line in the background go through the lower portion of the mushroom cap -- though it looks like a lower camera angle may not have been possible. Improvements: 1. Crop to vertical, thereby eliminating most of the distracting sticks and most of the bright sky on the left side and a couple of the sunlit tree trunks on the right side. 2. It seems to me that the overall image color is too warm, so I adjusted the color balance by adding blue. 3. Also, if cloning is permitted, clone out the one remaining stick on the left edge of the cropped frame.
Comments: 1. The low camera angle is very effective in calling attention to the mushroom. 2. I like the depth of focus on the mushroom, the sharpness of the foreground, and the nicely out of focus background. 3. The composition is OK, though I prefer the vertical format (rather than a square) with a vertical subject. 4. I would also prefer to not have the green-tan line in the background go through the lower portion of the mushroom cap -- though it looks like a lower camera angle may not have been possible. Improvements: 1. Crop to vertical, thereby eliminating most of the distracting sticks and most of the bright sky on the left side and a couple of the sunlit tree trunks on the right side. 2. It seems to me that the overall image color is too warm, so I adjusted the color balance by adding blue. 3. Also, if cloning is permitted, clone out the one remaining stick on the left edge of the cropped frame.
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Na Pali Coast - Brent Fraser
Comments: 1. The apparent helicopter view and the clouds, double rainbow, and rich color and color contrast provide lots of impact. 2. Good overall technique. 3. Pretty good composition, but I didn't like the bright sunlight merger at the bottom of the frame, and, in my opinion, there are too many clouds at the top. Improvements: 1. Crop clouds to just above the faint part of the double rainbow. 2. Decrease overall brightness and increase contrast a bit to intensify colors.
Comments: 1. The apparent helicopter view and the clouds, double rainbow, and rich color and color contrast provide lots of impact. 2. Good overall technique. 3. Pretty good composition, but I didn't like the bright sunlight merger at the bottom of the frame, and, in my opinion, there are too many clouds at the top. Improvements: 1. Crop clouds to just above the faint part of the double rainbow. 2. Decrease overall brightness and increase contrast a bit to intensify colors.
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Reaching for the Sky - Okey Bess
Comments: 1. Interesting view, if somewhat common. I like the tree trunks leading to the off-center opening. 2. Good exposure, focus, and lighting. 3. The composition is OK, but there is no strong lead-in, no special or unusual tree trunk, and no tree stands out as a particular subject of interest. Alternate Look: In my opinion, with a subject less pattern shot like this, I would try a vertical format to see if it might be a little better. I flipped and rotated until I found one I liked, and I settled on the one where the largest trunks are on the left edge, the top right edge, and the lower right edge, and five smaller trunks lead in to the center from the bottom. Then I lowered the overall brightness and increased the contrast. I also darkened the hot spots on two of the large trunks.
Comments: 1. Interesting view, if somewhat common. I like the tree trunks leading to the off-center opening. 2. Good exposure, focus, and lighting. 3. The composition is OK, but there is no strong lead-in, no special or unusual tree trunk, and no tree stands out as a particular subject of interest. Alternate Look: In my opinion, with a subject less pattern shot like this, I would try a vertical format to see if it might be a little better. I flipped and rotated until I found one I liked, and I settled on the one where the largest trunks are on the left edge, the top right edge, and the lower right edge, and five smaller trunks lead in to the center from the bottom. Then I lowered the overall brightness and increased the contrast. I also darkened the hot spots on two of the large trunks.
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The Moment before Impact - Julie Alexander
Comments: 1. The strong silhouette of the "striker" has lots of impact, literally and figuratively, especially at first glance, but the striking area merges into the building a bit. 2. The overall sharpness is good, but, in my opinion, the sky is a bit bright, and the lower area of the building on the right is too dark. 3. In addition, I think the viewer's eye is drawn to the fine detail and sharpness of the lamp post on the right. Improvements: Crop the sky to eliminate the too bright clouds; crop the lamp post and part of the building on the right, which also removes some of the dark lower building; crop the bottom to take out the center building; and crop some of the left side for balancing the composition. I also darkened the hot spots and lightened the remaining shadows, and I selected the statue and darkened to create a totally black silhouette.
Comments: 1. The strong silhouette of the "striker" has lots of impact, literally and figuratively, especially at first glance, but the striking area merges into the building a bit. 2. The overall sharpness is good, but, in my opinion, the sky is a bit bright, and the lower area of the building on the right is too dark. 3. In addition, I think the viewer's eye is drawn to the fine detail and sharpness of the lamp post on the right. Improvements: Crop the sky to eliminate the too bright clouds; crop the lamp post and part of the building on the right, which also removes some of the dark lower building; crop the bottom to take out the center building; and crop some of the left side for balancing the composition. I also darkened the hot spots and lightened the remaining shadows, and I selected the statue and darkened to create a totally black silhouette.
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Through Another's Eye - Kurtis Sutley
Comments: 1. The eye and reflection provide immediate impact and story. 2. The overall depth of focus is satisfactory, but the reflection might be a little bright. 3. And the bright spot in the upper left is very distracting. Improvements: 1. Tilt the image slightly counterclockwise, and then crop a little from all four sides, but maintain an acceptable border around the eye. Then, try to select and darken some of the remaining bright areas in the upper left and lower right.
Comments: 1. The eye and reflection provide immediate impact and story. 2. The overall depth of focus is satisfactory, but the reflection might be a little bright. 3. And the bright spot in the upper left is very distracting. Improvements: 1. Tilt the image slightly counterclockwise, and then crop a little from all four sides, but maintain an acceptable border around the eye. Then, try to select and darken some of the remaining bright areas in the upper left and lower right.
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Through the Bottom of the Glass - Janet Rowe
Comments: 1. It's difficult to have much impact or story with a mostly out-of-focus image, but the concentric circular pattern ending with the only slightly out-of-focus center, which is also the brightest area in the frame, does attract a viewer's eye. 2. The shades of blue are nice, and the blues work well with the tan of the scenery, but, in my opinion, it's still difficult to hold a viewer's interest. 3. Though there is no strong subject of interest, the circular pattern helps the composition keeps the viewer's eye in the frame. Improvements: 1. I tilted the image so that the horizon appears level. 2. Then I cropped heavily on the bottom to eliminate the dark area in the lower left. Then I cropped the top and sides as much as possible to emphasize the center to minimize the appearance of soft focus. Finally, I darkened the light areas and lightened the dark areas.
Comments: 1. It's difficult to have much impact or story with a mostly out-of-focus image, but the concentric circular pattern ending with the only slightly out-of-focus center, which is also the brightest area in the frame, does attract a viewer's eye. 2. The shades of blue are nice, and the blues work well with the tan of the scenery, but, in my opinion, it's still difficult to hold a viewer's interest. 3. Though there is no strong subject of interest, the circular pattern helps the composition keeps the viewer's eye in the frame. Improvements: 1. I tilted the image so that the horizon appears level. 2. Then I cropped heavily on the bottom to eliminate the dark area in the lower left. Then I cropped the top and sides as much as possible to emphasize the center to minimize the appearance of soft focus. Finally, I darkened the light areas and lightened the dark areas.
Through It All - Shirley Moore
Comment: Not a competition image. Was not sure what the photographer was going for. Doesn’t fit the category. Focus point is on the chair leg and image is not straight. A zero score is a disqualification. The maker may want to seek out a club member as a mentor as they move forward in their photography journey.
Comment: Not a competition image. Was not sure what the photographer was going for. Doesn’t fit the category. Focus point is on the chair leg and image is not straight. A zero score is a disqualification. The maker may want to seek out a club member as a mentor as they move forward in their photography journey.
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Looking into a Kansas Supercell - Alicia Pack — 1st Place - Beginner
Comments: 1. Though the wide angle tilt does make for an "interesting perspective," the grain elevator is tilted a little too much for my taste. 2. The exposure, focus, lighting, and color are good. 3. In my opinion, the composition is "heavy" on the left, and there is too much unnecessary space on the right. Improvements: I think the composition could be improved by flipping the image horizontally, and I would "lens correct" the elevator a bit, maintaining some building tilt to qualify for the theme. Then I would crop the top and the "new left" side to take advantage of the curving road as a lead in. Finally, I would lighten the shadows and tone down the highlights to intensify the colors and add texture to the sky (see photo 10a). Alternative Looks: 1. If I were to ignore the theme, I would lens correct the building completely (see photo 10b). 2. I would also crop to vertical to add a little "pizzaz" to the composition
Comments: 1. Though the wide angle tilt does make for an "interesting perspective," the grain elevator is tilted a little too much for my taste. 2. The exposure, focus, lighting, and color are good. 3. In my opinion, the composition is "heavy" on the left, and there is too much unnecessary space on the right. Improvements: I think the composition could be improved by flipping the image horizontally, and I would "lens correct" the elevator a bit, maintaining some building tilt to qualify for the theme. Then I would crop the top and the "new left" side to take advantage of the curving road as a lead in. Finally, I would lighten the shadows and tone down the highlights to intensify the colors and add texture to the sky (see photo 10a). Alternative Looks: 1. If I were to ignore the theme, I would lens correct the building completely (see photo 10b). 2. I would also crop to vertical to add a little "pizzaz" to the composition
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Makes Me Dizzy - Heather Woodward - 3rd Place - Intermediate
Comments: 1. This has very good, strong colors, and the patterns add impact. 2. The color balance and focus are good, and I like the brighter side on the left and the darker area on the left. 3. I also like the angles of the composition, but I was distracted by the uneven bottom of the frame, and the wood slats and black and tan horizontal area at the bottom are distracting. Improvements: 1. Tilt the image slightly to straighten the bottom (see photo 11a). 2. Crop the bottom and a little off the left side to move the blue line away from the top left corner. Cropping a small bit of the top might help, too.
Comments: 1. This has very good, strong colors, and the patterns add impact. 2. The color balance and focus are good, and I like the brighter side on the left and the darker area on the left. 3. I also like the angles of the composition, but I was distracted by the uneven bottom of the frame, and the wood slats and black and tan horizontal area at the bottom are distracting. Improvements: 1. Tilt the image slightly to straighten the bottom (see photo 11a). 2. Crop the bottom and a little off the left side to move the blue line away from the top left corner. Cropping a small bit of the top might help, too.
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Seasonal Spiral - Jacob Rowe - 2nd Place - Intermediate
Comments: 1. The strong colors, dark background, and simple spiral give this tons of impact. 2. Great color, focus, and lighting, though the pinpoints of light are pretty bright. 3. I like the spiral "start" in the lower left, the thin strip of black along the top, and the off-center spiral ending. I also like the dark area in the bottom right, but I think the colors in the upper left are a bit distracting. Improvements: I reduced the overall brightness and increased the contrast; then I cloned out the red fringes in the upper left and removed the specks of light on the left edge
Comments: 1. The strong colors, dark background, and simple spiral give this tons of impact. 2. Great color, focus, and lighting, though the pinpoints of light are pretty bright. 3. I like the spiral "start" in the lower left, the thin strip of black along the top, and the off-center spiral ending. I also like the dark area in the bottom right, but I think the colors in the upper left are a bit distracting. Improvements: I reduced the overall brightness and increased the contrast; then I cloned out the red fringes in the upper left and removed the specks of light on the left edge
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Pew to Peak - Philippe Tulula - 1st Place - Intermediate
Comments: 1. Unusual view with nice rim lighting on the rows of pews. 2. Very good exposure and color in the view through the window. 3. Good composition and the cross is an interesting subject in the church interior. Note that the window is not exactly "square" with the edges of the image frame. Improvements: 1. I would tilt the image very slightly to "square" the top of the window with the top edge of the frame. 2. Lower brightness and increase contrast of the view through the window.
Comments: 1. Unusual view with nice rim lighting on the rows of pews. 2. Very good exposure and color in the view through the window. 3. Good composition and the cross is an interesting subject in the church interior. Note that the window is not exactly "square" with the edges of the image frame. Improvements: 1. I would tilt the image very slightly to "square" the top of the window with the top edge of the frame. 2. Lower brightness and increase contrast of the view through the window.
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Venus@Sunrise - Pete Trabant - 3rd Place - Advanced
Comments: 1. I like the story and the creativity, though I am curious about why the top of the globe is cropped. 2. Technically very well done, but the table top and the bottle could use a little more light. 3. The square format goes well with the globe, except for the globe top crop. Also, in my opinion, there is too much sky. Alternative Look: To take a different approach, I cropped a bit off the bottom to complement the already-cropped top, and I cropped much of the sky to call attention to the table, which I believe is the subject of the photo. Then I toned down the sky and reflection, and I cloned out the distracting light and its reflection on the left side.
Comments: 1. I like the story and the creativity, though I am curious about why the top of the globe is cropped. 2. Technically very well done, but the table top and the bottle could use a little more light. 3. The square format goes well with the globe, except for the globe top crop. Also, in my opinion, there is too much sky. Alternative Look: To take a different approach, I cropped a bit off the bottom to complement the already-cropped top, and I cropped much of the sky to call attention to the table, which I believe is the subject of the photo. Then I toned down the sky and reflection, and I cloned out the distracting light and its reflection on the left side.
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Guardian Passage - John Saunders - Tied for 2nd Place - Advanced
Comments: 1. Good color impact; 2. Very good technicals. I like the reflected light on the walkway stones; 3. Very good composition. Alternate look: I like the lead-in line on the right, but I prefer the lead-in on the left when possible, so flipped the image horizontally and cropped the dark area at the corner. Then, I cropped all four sides for better balance. That's my preference, but both are good.
Comments: 1. Good color impact; 2. Very good technicals. I like the reflected light on the walkway stones; 3. Very good composition. Alternate look: I like the lead-in line on the right, but I prefer the lead-in on the left when possible, so flipped the image horizontally and cropped the dark area at the corner. Then, I cropped all four sides for better balance. That's my preference, but both are good.
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Beneath the Colors - Lisa Schlesinger - Tied for 2nd Place - Advanced
Comments: 1. Good color impact; 2. Good technicals, but upper left and lower right shadows a little dark; 3. Great composition, strong subject, nice skylight pattern. Alternative look: With pattern shots, I like to try a vertical composition for a more "dramatic" look. I rotated counter-clockwise to vertical. In addition, the flag is now "correct." Is it better? You be the judge. Also, I lightened the two shadows to bring out a little detail.
Comments: 1. Good color impact; 2. Good technicals, but upper left and lower right shadows a little dark; 3. Great composition, strong subject, nice skylight pattern. Alternative look: With pattern shots, I like to try a vertical composition for a more "dramatic" look. I rotated counter-clockwise to vertical. In addition, the flag is now "correct." Is it better? You be the judge. Also, I lightened the two shadows to bring out a little detail.
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Hold on Girls! - Jennifer Kallas - BEST OF SHOW - 1st Place - Advanced
Comments: In light of the theme of this competition, I really like this photo. And it looks like the girls bought into the act. 1. Lots of impact, creativity, and story. 2. Very good technically (maybe the bright pants could be toned down a little). 3 Composition is great. Alternate look: The light post gives the viewer a way to recognize immediately how the photo was done. But if you want a little more mystery, or if you want the viewer to take a little more time to figure it out, crop the lamp post and a little on the left and bottom to simplify. I also toned down the pants for a little more detail, opened the shadows just a bit, thereby giving a little more color intensity.
Comments: In light of the theme of this competition, I really like this photo. And it looks like the girls bought into the act. 1. Lots of impact, creativity, and story. 2. Very good technically (maybe the bright pants could be toned down a little). 3 Composition is great. Alternate look: The light post gives the viewer a way to recognize immediately how the photo was done. But if you want a little more mystery, or if you want the viewer to take a little more time to figure it out, crop the lamp post and a little on the left and bottom to simplify. I also toned down the pants for a little more detail, opened the shadows just a bit, thereby giving a little more color intensity.
