Thanks to authors Joseph Meehan and Gary Eastwood, authors of Photographing the Elements, for acting as our guest judges for this month’s contest! The theme was “weather”.

Gary Eastwood’s First Place Choice: “Judgement Day” by Mike DiRenzo, Coram, New York, USA

What Gary had to say: Lots of great images made it a hard decision this month, but I love the colours and sense of scale and drama in this image. The side lighting from the setting sun gives the image warm tone and depth. I think composing slightly more on the ‘thirds’, with slightly more foreground, would make the image even stronger. With so many great images this month, I just went with the image that ‘spoke’ to me the most – and Judgement Day is it.

Joseph Meehan’s First Place Choice: “Colorado Fog” by Chad Slater, Yardley, Pennsylvania, USA

What Joe had to say: The key to photographing landscapes in fog is to make use of the way the diffusing effect of the fog can separate out the different parts of the scene.

In “Colorado Fog,” the scattering of light increases as the distance from the camera position increases. In addition, there are patches of ground fog that separate out the different stands of trees and the mountains in the background. Thus, the impression is one of distinct visual layers and a progressive lowering of color saturation that combine to support the illusion of depth. Without the fog, the trees would more likely merge into a uniform mass of textured green. The photographer has also included the “S” shaped road that helps lead the viewer’s eye into the landscape. Although the description of this photograph makes note of a biker on the road, the small size of reproduction on the website does not provide enough scale to comment on this part of the picture.

Third Place: “Lightning Beauty in Nature” by K.S.Rajaram, Bangalore, India

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Thanks to author Robert Hirsch for acting as our guest judge for this month’s contest! The theme was light. Bob asked me to convey his general thoughts to everyone who entered:

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to submit his or her work to the Focal Press March Photography Contest. Regarding the theme, Light is the fundamental ingredient shared by all photographs. There were many intriguing and well-seen compositions and it took me repeated viewings to make my decisions. The images that stayed with me were those in which the makers utilized light to convey an atmospheric mood that communicated essential characteristics of the subject. I encourage everyone to continue photographing and submitting your work, as each juror brings their own perspective to selecting work.”

First Place: “Day End of a Barber” byAbhijit Dey, West Bengal, India

What Bob had to say: “I was drawn to Day End of a Barber due to the atmospheric way it expressively shows the intimate interaction between a barber and his client. The lone artificial light bulb serves as a reminder how the human made world illuminates the once dark night. The harsh single light source reveals the simple surroundings while retaining enough detail in the mirror to provide a multidimensional view of the subjects. The wall’s cool color balances the warm skin tones, as the doorframe provides a proscenium arch under which the interaction unfolds.”

Second Place: “In the Light of Tuscany” by Jaroslaw Pawlak, Pienza, Italy

What Bob had to say: “I selected In the Light of Tuscany because of the complex, abstract, interrelationships among the colors and shapes within the compressed visual space. The raking light brings out detail in the foreground and middle ground while obscuring the background. The complementary color palette generates visual contrast. These competing dynamics encouraged me to linger and look deeper, which is what all photographers strive for.”

Third Place: “Light of Knowledge” by Thejas K Rajaram, Houston, Texas, USA

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First Place: “Closing Time” by James Murray

Second Place: “Baby Balinese Monkey” by Oliver Dixon, East Horsley, Surrey, UK

Third Place: “Leap of Faith” by Michael Kandel, Washington, DC, USA

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First Place Choice: “Sunshine Dancing” by Sara Taylor, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Second Place: “Summer Bath” by Guga Millet

Third Place: “Seeking Warmth” by Elizabeth Thankful Shannon, Venice, California, USA

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Linda Bellingham: First Place Choice: “NYC Breakfast” by Eden Potter

What Linda had to say: It was nice of the photographer to mention that Starbucks made the food; however, the composition of elements in the image is perfect! And, the natural lighting is spectacular.

Jean Ann Bybee: First Place Choice: “Macaroons” by J. Annie Wang, New York City, New York, USA

What Jean Ann had to say: Simple, beautifully lit, colorful. Shows a good eye

Brad G. Rogers: First Place Choice: “Ribbon Candy” by Jamie Lynn Rice, Oracle, Arizona, USA

What Brad had to say: Simple, which is often the best approach. Colorful, which catches the eye. It was fun and struck an emotion which is what everybody is trying to obtain.

Third Place Winner: “Cherry Tomatoes” by Alex Ntertilis, Athens, Greece

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First Place: Anthony Hopkins, Moreton Morrell, England
Title: Whitby Beach Huts

What Steven and Paul  had to say: We particularly like the careful use of the reflective sunset/sunrise. Our only suggestion would be to crop a little off the right edge of the image. Otherwise we feel it’s a great photographic example of the subliminal effect of the early morning/evening light. They don’t call these the “golden hours” for nothing.

Second Place: Gemma Carly Pepper,  Conwy, North Wales, Great Britain
Title: Hope

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First Place: Tomas Castelazo, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico
Title: Old lady in San Miguel, Mexico

What Haje had to say: In the winning photo, we get a cornucopia of awesome: the strong and bold colours catch the viewers eye, and create a great negative space for the main subject of the image: The woman, bent over, taking a rest from her walk. The contrast between the colourfulness and the relative lack of colour, and between the solid door and unyielding wall, is a great effect in this image. Way to make a photograph tell a story – great work!

Second Place: Richard Dodge, Holtsville, New York, USA
Title: Radiant

What Haje had to say: I love this photo for its playfulness and for the connection we have with the model. The beautiful light in her face, contrasting with the crisp blue sky, the splashes of colour from her sleeves and gloves, combined with the natural elements (the wooden table and the straws of grass in the background) make this come together great. THe expression on her face is priceless, natural, and unforced – it’s one of those photos that simply makes me happy to look at – what more could you want from a portrait?!

Third Place: Mardoni Luy, Davao City, Philippines
Title: Half Naked and the Rosary

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First Place: Rachel Goble Carey, Rachel Carey Photography, Bay Area, California, USA

Title: Learning

What LaNola had to say: I just kept coming back to this photograph.  This image is a simple window into the complexities of childhood.  I love the soft pallet, the layering, expression, focus, and composition.  I don’t need to know the story of this photograph to know that there is one.  There is truly nothing predictable or kitsch about this shot and that is what makes it great; it’s just an authentic moment captured.

Second Place (#1): Todd Birdsong, Paducah, Kentucky, USA

Title: May in Grass

What LaNola had to say: I love how the photographer described this capture as an “in-between moment.”  Life is made of these types of moments and I think that is why a whisper from these moments always catches our attention as viewers, they are just so familiar, yet often over looked.  I love the pure blacks and the glowing whites that both frame and compose this child.

Second Place (#2): Stuart Rome, StuartRome.com, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Title: Sarah and Gabbie

What LaNola had to say: I know that the photographer is close because of the wide-angle nature of the lens.  I appreciate a photographer that can get this close and still find an image that does not distract from the fluidity of the moment between the girls (no pun intended).  Adolescence can be a difficult subject matter but it provides a rewarding last glimpse of childhood before it disappears.  Another thing I love is the vibrance of the colors and the separation of the children from the background (which appears to be a masterful use of fill flash).  Well done!

Third Place: Alexandra Grebenyuk, Sherborn, Massachusetts, USA

Title: Who Needs Toys?

LaNola’s Honorable Mention: Manahi Taber-Kewene, New York, New York

Title: Grandpa Magic

LaNola’s Honorable Mention: Barbara Corvino, Italy

Title: Vertical

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First Place: Phil Tooze, Riot Photography, Heanor, Derbyshire, U.K.
Title: True Believers
  

Second Place: Pepa Niebla, Chingford, London, U.K.
Title: It’s Real

Third Place: Anne Izabel Le Clainche, Plaisir, France
Title: Seabreeze of Happiness

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Second Place: Leslie Granda-Hill, Montclair, New Jersey, USA
Title: The Hotel
What Corey had to say: Simplicity is key here, the dominating lines are cleanly arranged, creating a strong foundation. What makes this image stand out are the people, giving a sense of scale. The people also offer a sense of motion in contrast to the static building. Great timing capturing them with their legs and arms outstretched.

Third Place: Heather Tiffany, Aurora, Illinois, USA
Title: Sunset Through a Child’s Eyes

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