Premium Photo Competition 2012 Q1 : Results

Judges Comment
This is a sparkling and playful image with a child you can almost touch despite the rain and glass, in her own world as we have all been at times, and where all children like to be from time to time. It's a great image and will remain one for many many years. Well done!
Photographers Comment
"Rain Rain Go Away" by Barbara Simmons I am a Florida based photographer. This image was taken at a Christmas Parade in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Proof that it's more fun to watch a parade than to be in one! This image was taken with a Nikon D7000 and post processed in CS5. Painted with 'light' and added rain texture. This Mark of Excellence is an honor, as there were so many amazing images from which to chose. Thank you! www.redbubble.com/people/BSimmons

Judges Comment
"Maybe this is over the top", is what we though. But it's a beautiful image and one can put into it as much or little significance as one feels like. The composition with the girl in the left works really well with the sunbeams as the collecting force. Well done!

Judges Comment
An amazing composition makes this photograph while the bald and pale face makes it really stand out. When the observer closes the eyes slightly, the violin becomes even more part of the human face.
Photographers Comment
My name is Rae Marshall, and this photograph was taken of a strong man who has overcome a lot of hardships. In this image I wanted to show his love of music and how this is a part of him as a person. This was taken in a studio with a Nikon D700, not a lot of editing was needed.

Judges Comment
The focal point in this photo isn't obvious to start with. And as soon as found, the eye relaxes and discovers the rest. It's an image that even as a small thumb caught our attention, it has a good tone and a good mood.
Photographers Comment
Congratulations to the winner and all the Marks of Excellence! I am honored to see my photo posted as a Mark of Excellence in a Premium Contest that was full of wonderful entries! My name is Monica Cole and I am an avid amateur photographer. This image was taken with the Canon 60D, the Canon 85mm f1.8 lens at 1/320, ISO 800 and no flash. Indoor volleyball has difficult lighting and a lot of movement - Photoshop Elements helped me turn a sports shot into an interesting photograph.

Judges Comment
Overlapping an orange, a lemon and a lime creates something new and different. A great photograph, partially because of its translucency.
Photographers Comment
Thank you, it is wonderful to be recognized with such great images as those in the Mark of Excellence group. Congratulations to the winner and honorees. This shot was actually a result of 9 images (3 each of each fruit slice, processed in HDR and then layered to overlap). I loved the intricacy of the vein structure and the glow of the backlit fruit colors. Shot in my home studio with a Canon T1i.

Judges Comment
This is a well-performed postcard photo, a great way to capture something that could be done in many ways and from many angels from the water, on the top of the bridge. The photographer choose this angle, this light and this crop. It works!

Judges Comment
There is a question: Where did this man jump from? After a while you notice; it seems that there is a bicycle falling under him. If you look closer you can see the ramp.

Judges Comment
If this fellow could speak he would probably have some interesting comments to being photographed. Nice photo well performed in the right moment, and technically perfect.
Photographers Comment
Thank you. I took this in a field in New Hampshire USA with a Canon 30D and Canon 60mm lens. I do amateur bird and macro photography for the most part. I've been told by some they envision this fellow to be on a magic carpet ride or a character in a fairy tale. Minimal post processing, sharpened a bit and cropped some. Mary Fran Errigo-Loggans

Judges Comment
This image has an atmosphere of adventure and unknown territory. Well done!
Photographers Comment
Thank you so much for the "Mark of Excellence"! This photo was taken with TMAX 100 film... RIP Kodak film. No post processing, simply scanned. This is Sol Du Falls in Olympic national park. Shot using a Nikon N80 and an 18-35mm with a red filter.-Starving Dog Photography by J. Chris Gann

Judges Comment
Timeless and lovely! A young child among so many sunflowers. How symbolic!
Photographers Comment
My name is Michael Hernandez, I am a US Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. This photo was taken at Kitanakagusuku Sunflower Festival that happens late January early February here in Okinawa Japan. I used a Canon 60D to take a photo of my 13 month old son who loves the outdoors and that day loved being able to explore through the sunflower fields.