Black-And-White Photo Competition 2 2014 : Results

  • Judges Comment
  • A thinking man and a wedding cake shot through a window. Now, that is a story we may never know. Did they cancel, did he stop believing in romance, did he run out of ingredients or is he just thinking how to make the rest of it? We find this image has great technical qualities, a daring composition and unusual storytelling to it. It draws our interest, and we found the interest and admiration for this image just grew each time we returned to look at it. Hence, this is the winner of the I SHOT IT Black & White Competition. Congratulations!
  • Photographers Comment
  • First of all I would like to thank all the people behind "I shot it". Organization team, judges, and obviously all photographers that uploaded their awesome photos. I saw stunning images from everyone. Great compositions, great messages and great techniques. A special thanks to the judges for having selected this photo and for a having perfect reading the real story behind this image. It was a Saturday afternoon and I was walking down a narrow street. On my left I saw this scene and...."I shot it". What the man was thinking? I don't know but he seemed to be sad and very worried. It was a Saturday....and the day after there would have taken place a wedding... The photo was taken in Tuscany, with canon 5dmk3 I used silver efex pro for bw conversion. Mattia Zaldini - Verona - Italy
  • www.mattiazaldini.us
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is a great image with a lot of confusion in one side of the image and almost dreamy harmony in the right side of it. We like the composition, the space and the tones.
  • Photographers Comment
  • First: I am very honored to have been selected in this competition. There are SO many talented photographers involved. It is a pleasure to see so many quality images. Who said that photography would die with the Internet? About the photograph: It was taken on the island of Bornholm in Denmark. The place is called "Hullehavn" It is photographed with a Canon 5D MK II
  • theolyngby.dk
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Ruins and smoke with a hand of a hidden person that signals almost that he or she can't stand anymore of this. We find this a strong image for what it tells, but mainly for what it let's us imagine by ourself. A very interesting storytelling brought by the right moment and a daring decision by the photographer to choose this picture.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • If you don't watch your back, somone younger and better will come and take the photos. Here is the proof. Except of course, we don't know who took this photo of the young photographer.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Taken at the local zoo. Canon Rebel T4i with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 USM lens. Post processing all done within Lightroom 5.
  • rzrike.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • The fur makes them related, and we find that an interesting detail in this very simple composed image with an underlying mood to it. Great work!
  • Photographers Comment
  • Animal Spirit shot at the Salton Sea, California Hasselblad 500 CM Silver gelatin print
  • www.saskiakoerner.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Living inside and looking out is what we admire in this image. But also how the photographer let's us (the viewers) look at the people who seem unaware that we are looking at them. Great work!
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thanks for this 2 marks of excellence. The photo of the tennis player is mine too. This one was taken in Lisbon. When I was waiting for the green light, this electric bus passed and I shot it! I used the Leica x2. Thanks again, Rui Caria.
  • ruicaria.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • The mood! That is what is amazing about this photograph where we are alone in a room with a man that may be a father and husband. Lots of details to read out of this photo to broaden the story.
  • Photographers Comment
  • I would like to thank the judges for the Mark of Excellence distinction. I am honored to be among so many great photographers. This photograph was taken last year in Chicago. It is a part of the series I did about the life of Mr. Waclaw. The experience was about connecting with another human being and learning about the importance of ordinary instances of life.
  • anetawisniewska.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Good timing elevates this photo from a action photo to a nice sunset image with interesting shadows and highlighted details. All in all it creates an atmosphere of life style and action. We like it, great work!
  • Photographers Comment
  • First, please allow me to congratulate the first prize winner as well as all the other winners. Next, I'd like to thank the judges for selecting my image to stand amongst all of these wonder photographs. I'm both honored and humbled. My name is Robert Jones and I've been a freelance photographer for the past 13 years. I'm originally from Joliet, IL a small town right outside of Chicago, now living and working in Columbus GA. I captured this image at the local skate park with my Nikon D800 and 50mm 1.8G. I immediately noticed this young man performing amazing tricks no one else could so I tried to position myself close enough to keep up with his frantic action. This image happens to be my personal favorite because I feel like it captures his energy and concentration the way I experienced it in person. For post processing I used Silver Efex Pro. Thanks again!
  • versatilitybyrnj.wordpress.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A few places in the world a daring and unusual view as a plane right above our heads is so normal an occurrence that tourists may line up to capture this wonder. This image captures all the wonder and how we may react in one single aesthetics and dramatic image. Well done!
  • Photographers Comment
  • Firstly, thank you judges for the distinction of The Mark of Excellence as there were so many amazing black & white images submitted for this contest. Also congratulations to the first place winner - well deserved! I shot this image near St. Maarten's Princess Juliana Airport which is next to Maho Beach. This image was shot with a Nikon Df and Sigma 12-24mm lens at 12mm. I used Silver Efex for the B&W processing. Thank you so much again for the honor! Dave
  • www.davepaekphotography.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • We almost know what the story is, but it is so elegantly told that we don't know it all, yet get a lot of what is going on on both sides of the mirror in one image. We like it!
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is maybe an outlaw on the run from the law, or simply just a very unusual and fun composition that we find amusing. Some times images doesn't have to be explained but just works the way they do for no other reason that they are well made moments captured by a good eye.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Lottafee, Germany, Leica M2, 50mm Summicron. I took this photo in Venice in November 2009, last week of the Biennale. It was one of the shots I took with my very first Leica, and I was very proud that most of the 36 shots were focussed :-)
  • www.flickr.com/photos/lottafee/5863162386
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • The location and the extra man makes this photo very interesting to look at. All we know for sure is that it's the 12th in the month. The rest is up to our imagination.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you judges for choosing my photo for the mark of excellence award! This photo is of a street barber who is operating at the back alley of the the shophouses in Singapore, where I am based. The other person seated is actually is his brother, who comes by to chat with him to pass time. Both men have retired. Cheers! Patrick
  • www.facebook.com/monotanphotography
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Isolated from each other and the world outside in a moment of time where they indulge in what is going on in the world. This photo is fun. Maybe for that reason, or maybe just for the simplicity of it. Many elements organized so they play together as a whole. We like it!
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you for choosing my photo for the mark of excellence award and the judges comment! I've taken this photo with my Leica M8 during midday in Zurich. This scenery touched me right away, that I had to capture the moment. In time of modern technology and 24/7 availability I found that this couple took their time out the „old fashioned way“ . Hiding behind their newspaper, isolated in their own world and having a drink - so simple & peaceful without being distracted by modern technology gadgets. This is one of the few moments you observe in the streets of our time.
  • nicolestruppert.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Nice atmosphere and somewhat a contrast between the two main people in this image. One preparing for the next World Cup, the other cleaning the beach up after a busy day. Nice use of light!
  • Photographers Comment
  • Hi, thanks for this ! I took this photo with a Ricoh GR last May in Rio de Janeiro where I live . Did post processing via Camera Raw, Photoshop and plug-ings. Second time actually here as another photo of mine was awarded last year: http://www.i-shot-it.com/competition-photo.php?id=51d241bb1b75d. I still wonder why the winner gets it all ? I'd suggest to award the winner with the Leica Monochrom camera and have the Mark of Excellence awarded photographers share the rest of the cake ... It would attract more competitors and be more fun in the end ! My 2 centavos, Jean-Marc.
  • www.flickr.com/photos/talegal/
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This is for some reason a very interesting picture to look at. The composition with the daydreaming person as center of attention, and a layer of stories behind that may be clues to figure out the story.
  • Photographers Comment
  • many thanks for your "Mark of Exellenc", and thank you for the comment of the Judges. Because its exatly the reason i took the picture... The light, the daydreaming friend of mine in his thoughts, the stuff in the back... We can not go inthrough people. We can not go into theier thoughts - and this is good that we can not do it. But we get a feeling of what they thinking, feeling... and sometimes it only reflects our feelings and emotions. Thanks again for seeing and feeling nearly the same. I´m happy if people like it. Shot on Ilford HP5, developed in Microdol X, printed on Orwo Black and White Paper, print scanned with Epson Scanner at home. All the best, Hagen
  • www.hagen-keller.de
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • What is this? We wonder how it was made and what the story might be, and then we discover the feet ... which throws the story into an entire different universe. It has humor and something else we keep trying to figure out every time we look at it.
  • Photographers Comment
  • My name is Tavepong Pratoomwong from Thailand. First of all, I would like to thank the judges for selecting my photo as the Mark of Excellence. This shot is in my 365 street photo thailand activity which means I have to take picture every day in 2014. Normally, I always go out to take picture in the evening. But on that day, it was rain so I had to go back home for dinner, though I hadn't got any good shot T.T . . . After finished dinner, I was hopeless to get any good shot on that day so I just tardily walked, suddenly, I met this interested scene! One women was sitting and hanging her leg out of the kitchen of the restaurant.And "I shot it" with Sony A7r+10-18 using off-camera flash while shook myself following the movement of the cleaner who was working there. Post process with Lightroom & Silver efex pro
  • www.flickr.com/photos/tavepong/
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • What the heck? This image is surreal, but then again pictures always tell the truth. That's why we wonder about this. It reminds us of the surreal humor in Finnish movies.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Plain beautiful composition with the light, the water and mountains. The man and the birds perfectly natural positioned in it all. It's good work!
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Why the birthday person is half-dressed in this image, or if something less innocent is going on, we don't know. It's an interesting picture that is rather innocent, yet could be daring.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Hello, My name is Todd Feit and this picture was taken at a friends pool birthday party in Key West, FL. Photograph was taken with Sony RX1 wide open and focused on the sparklers on the birthday cake. Very little editing was done in Lightroom as real life moments don't need any :-) Thank you for awarding this photo with "Mark Of Excellence" title and Long Live The Conch Republic ;-)
  • www.facebook.com/ConchtasticKeyWest
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • We find this image interesting because we try to understand what the photographer is trying to tell, versus what is actually going on. We stop and look, and we look for clues in trying to understand this rather unusual photograph. For that reason alone we find others should look as well.
Adult Content
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A moment in life or a model shoot, or a trophy photo? The tones and the light is intriguing. We like to look at this presumable private view of a to us anonymous person.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Photographer Name: Christopher Rubey Title: Noviembre Location: Diablo, California Camera: Nikon D800 Processing: Lightroom 4
  • www.chrisrubey.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • We think these are the judges... One with a "Start" sign and the rest of them seem they can't wait until it is over. Presumably the person in the water has been training for this moment carefully and for a long time. There is something humorous about the contrast of interests in this image. Well captured!
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This looks dramatic and as if they are working against each other, till you realize the stone is thrown up and not down. Interesting effect and an story that suddenly has to be redefined as you learn more.
  • Photographers Comment
  • My name is Andre, I took this photo in Burma at a brick factory near to Yangon. I've been based in Burma for the past year and will return to continue working there in a few months. I shoot almost exclusively with a 5D mk III and a 35mm f/1.4 and do all of my processing in Adobe Photoshop.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A beautiful moment of nothing really happening on a day where not many are out and about. It's a mood captured and somehow it is interesting to look at. It's great when a photographer captures a moment that really isn't one and this way make a story out of it.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • By all accounts this is impressive, and as such it must be a good thing to show off to the girls. Maybe this is what this image is about. It made us stop and return a few times to see more.
  • Photographers Comment
  • This photo is almost casually incurred in a vacation and become part of a series. For a moment everything seems surreal, but it's part of my daily life. My son is someone who compensate school and everyday stress with a lot of movement. Breakdance gives him strength, self-confidence and the ability to take a certain amount of time of all this distance. That's all matter for the head.
  • www.romantripler.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Simple and unusual composition capturing a sport moment.
  • Photographers Comment
  • My name is Rui Caria, and I'm very happy with this 2 excellence marks in the same competition. The photo of the girls looking out of the bus is also mine. Thanks for the distinction. This one was taken in Japan from the hotel window at night. I've used the Nikon D4.
  • ruicaria.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This seem to be a dramatic moment captures that make us think about those places in the world, and those times in history where a wall or fence has illustrated the difference in viewpoints and ways of living. This is always an important moment to stop and think about.
  • Photographers Comment
  • The photograph was taken in the palestinian village of Bil’in during a weekly demonstration against the wall in 2010. By today half of the confiscated land (60% of the villages land was on the israeli side of the fence) was given back to the village, the fence however got replaced by a concrete wall. Nikon D3s, Nikon 24-70mm
  • www.simonkrieger.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A probably unintended look into a highlighted moment of privacy, along with unknowing people on a almost empty street in a city at night. Good illustration of separate lives made in a very simple and dramatic way.
  • Photographers Comment
  • My name is Matteo Sigolo and I am an italian street photographer, co-founder of the recently born InQuadra street photography collective. I'd like to thank the judges for this mark of excellence. This photo was taken on the island of Giudecca in Venice last Fabruary.
  • www.inquadra.org