Enter your image here: Focal Press Monthly Photography Contest

The theme for the February contest is “life” sponsored by Concert and Live Music Photography by J. Dennis Thomas. Denny will be our guest judges this month. As photographers, every time we turn around, there is a moment we want to capture – sometimes the moment calls for a cell phone picture, and, other times, it’s a full set up in a studio. This month, enter a photo that captured a moment for you. It can be anytime, anywhere, but a moment when you were glad to have your camera. In the description, be sure to tell us why you felt the moment important.

Be sure to follow Denny on Twitter @jdennisthomas and read his fantastic posts on Mastering Photo!

First Place:  Concert and Live Music Photography and a Focal Photography book of choice*

Second Place: Concert and Live Music Photography and a Focal Photography book of choice**

Third Place: Concert and Live Music Photography

*Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography

** Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography and must be valued at $39.95 or less

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 Papas

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Enter your image here: Focal Press Monthly Photography Contest

The theme for the December contest is “food” sponsored by the new volume of Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 for Photographers by Philip Andrews. Philip will be our guest judges this month.

First Place:  Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 for Photographers and a Focal Photography book of choice*

Second Place: Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 for Photographers and a Focal Photography book of choice**

Third Place: Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 for Photographers

*Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography

** Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography and must be valued at $39.95 or less

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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Enter your image here: Focal Press Monthly Photography Contest

The theme for the December contest is “food” sponsored by the new volume of More Food Styling for Photographers & Stylists by Linda Bellingham, Jean Ann Bybee and Brad G. Rogers. Linda, Jean Ann and Brad will be our guest judges this month.

First Place: More Food Styling for Photographers & Stylists and a Focal Photography book of choice*

Second Place: More Food Styling for Photographers & Stylists and a Focal Photography book of choice**

Third Place: More Food Styling for Photographers & Stylists

*Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography

** Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography and must be valued at $39.95 or less

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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Enter your image here: Focal Press Monthly Photography Contest

The theme for the November contest is “light” sponsored by the new edition of Light–Science and Magic by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver and Paul Fuqua. Fil, Steven and Paul will be our guest judges this month.

First Place: Light–Science and Magic, 4e and a Focal Photography book of choice*

Second Place: Light–Science and Magic, 4e and a Focal Photography book of choice**

Third Place: Light–Science and Magic, 4e,

*Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography

** Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography and must be valued at $39.95 or less

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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Enter your image here: Focal Press Monthly Photography Contest

The theme for the September contest is “photographing childhood” sponsored by Focus On Photographing People by Haje Jan Kamps. Haje will be our guest judge this month.

First Place: Focus On Photographing People and a Focal Photography book of choice*

Second Place: Focus On Photographing People and a Focal Photography book of choice**

Third Place: Focus On Photographing People

*Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography

** Does not include Focal Encyclopedia of Photography and must be valued at $39.95 or less

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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