Black-And-White Photo Competition : Results

Competition Winner : First Prize
$6,560.00 plus a Leica M MONOCHROM body worth approximately $8000.00

Judges Comment
May we announce ........ The winner of the first Black-And-White Photo Competition! You immediately want to be part of this farewell, reunion or celebration of life scenery. Positive and powerful, shot against the light with a well-working and detailed composition where the empty table below stands out, the flowers, the modern patterns of the hat and and blouse amidst what could look as a countryside location. Many questions and interesting details in this winning picture. Hands down, no doubt this was the winner of the first black & white round in I SHOT IT.
Photographers Comment
First of all, I would like to thank the judges for the great comment. It is my honour to be the winner of the first Black & White Competition. The photograph was shot at a Hippie Wedding up in the mountains during the sunset. The scenery shows the groom with his best man. Additionally, I would like to mention that Photography is my Profession and Passion. For me this picture represents Freedom. Technical details: Canon 5d mark2 / 24 -105 mm shot with 24 mm 1/800 sec f / 5.6 Iso 320
richard-schabetsberger.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Filmic storytelling, composition and rhythm of movement are some of the strengths of this image that expands as you look at it. Timeless atmosphere, great use of empty space. We love it.
Photographers Comment
Claddaghduff Pony Show, Ireland
josefskye.tumblr.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
There is a story in this image of a dark room and a person opening up for the daylight. The scene is set, the rest is up to the viewer. Great!
Photographers Comment
Steve Jackson, Manchester. Shot using a Canon 550D and supplied kit lens. I woke and before I could see properly, grabbed my camera, guessed the settings and shot. I was pleased how it came out as it was a handheld long-ish exposure. Thank you to the judges for an award of merit.
www.flickr.com/photos/steve-jack/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Something really relaxing coming from this image. The feeling as well as great composition and light.
Photographers Comment
Carlo Campedelli
www.carlocampedelli.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Technical skills, the right moment, great light and location come together in this mesmerizing photograph. It could be a wedding shot, a fashion shoot or an fairytale ... you decide.
Photographers Comment
Thank you and it's an honor once again to receive another Mark of Excellence. Yes you are correct on one of your guesses, this was a fashion shoot for an FIT student. We shot on location at Riverside Park in New York City. Shot with a D800 and 85mm f1.4 lens. This shot consists of approximately 26 exposures using a method created by my friend the one and only Ryan Brenizer.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Paek-Photography/423028257743873?ref=hl

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Interesting with the touch of bizarreness - these are the first few thoughts which enter the judges minds. Huge candle-like shadows projected onto the walls and a serous face looking right at you. Who is this person and what is the story? An unusual image with a mysterious story to it. We are intrigued!
Photographers Comment
I am very honored. Laura Schair, NY, 1976, Minolta SRT 102 , 50mm, Tri-x. This is from an essay of my mother. She wore this when walking in the building we lived in. Mom was very vain and without eye makeup she wore sunglasses. If her hair wasn't perfect she wore a hat. Lights were out in the chandelier except for one and it cast all the shadows. The photo is in the permanent collections of The International Center of Photography in NY, The Museum of the City of NY and the Brooklyn Museum.
www.lauraschair.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
First we thought, "wow, what if there had been a lot more rain," but then we decided there was rain enough in this picture to underline the private moment in this image. Great.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for the Mark of Excellence. I've entitled this photo "Parapluie" (umbrella), taken at the Saint-Germain neighborhood in Paris. My husband and I were sitting in a cafe when it started to rain. But this couple stayed on the terrace , opened a tiny umbrella and continued on conversing (happily) with each other. Regardless of the rain, I love how this image gives a very positive spirit ... an absolutely heartwarming and wonderful moment. - Malou Lasquite
www.33avenue.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Another world after a long climb up. This is a sight for the few who dare take the trip to the top. Captured artistic and dreamy for the rest of us.
Photographers Comment
Jorge Rivas Krause, June 2012, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Beautiful sunny day but with the typical Patagonian weather, extremely windy and cold. I was laying on the ground, with the sun in front making the capture very difficult, but at the end the sun flare works great. I love how the two characters appear in the shot, the back one protecting himself and the front one, standing straight, almost proud after reaching the top. Leica M9, Summilux 50mm ASPH...and thanks!
www.flickr.com/photos/j-ark/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Almost woven into each other's bodies - what a great image of a rugby moment. The identical stripes and shorts with individual bodies gives it a uniqueness. A photo in black and which which almost looks like color. So many bodies and only one face visible. How awesome ...

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
One of this competition's stars. Just about everything works and plays together well in this photograph.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A young boy in an adult world. Dark versus light. Heaviness versus innocence. So much that can be interpreted into this image. A great story well executed.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
In the long run some values are more important than others. Love never rusts, stretch limos do. But some times stretch limos are good for love ... you continue the story from there.
Photographers Comment
My name is S.K. Saito. Photography is not my profession but it is my passion. So I am grateful for the recognition. I took this shot with a recently purchased unused, untouched Contax T2 loaded with an expired Kodak 200 color film from my local drug store for a dollar. The only post processing I did was to convert the scanned color image to black and white. Who would have guessed this shot was taken in Hawaii.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Simple, elegant, funny ... you are soon there. Well-balanced and well composed black and white photography.
Photographers Comment
First of all, thank you for the recognition. This photo was taken in Pucon, Chile. A lonely tree in the villarrica volcano. Nikon d5100, 55mm.
www.thaiscorreia.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Humor on a high level, or simply a wall with a lamp in alignment with the lines. It's open for opinions, and that's the good thing about the simplicity of this image.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A sharp and crisp image showing inside and outside in a great way. It appears that a child comes from the dark into the light. Very well executed and framed.
Photographers Comment
I took this photo 2011 in the Centre pompidou Metz (http://www.centrepompidou-metz.fr) in Metz (France). The mirorred room was part of the installation " La ville empruntée, multipliée et fragmentée" of Daniel Buren framing the view on the cathedral of Metz. Camera was a Leica M2 with a 35mm Skopar loaded with Agfa APX100@200 developed in Acu-1
www.flickr.com/photos/johannespe/8080028891/in/photostream/lightbox/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A truly stunning photograph with great composition and an angle which gives a bit the view of a voyeur or a Hitchcock movie. The uneven and old wood in the foreground and a woman in her bikini walking along the beach. Fantastic!
Photographers Comment
Thanks for the kind comments. Taken with a Leica M3 and an old Leitz Leica Summitar f/2 lens. The photograph was taken on the Island of Phi Phi in Thailand, about 8 years ago. I rediscovered it recently while looking through old memories. I have always loved the photograph as it brings creative times where you thought more about the images you were taking as it was the days of film. By the way, I followed that girl in the bikini everywhere & ended up marrying her this year ! Byron, London.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
The shape of the bird and the shape of the object where the bird stands on compliment each other so well. Great composition, contrast and execution.
Photographers Comment
Great White Egret resting on sunken boat in the shallow waters of Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Hasselblad 500ELX, Macro Plannar 5.6/135, Auto Bellows. Kodak Ektachrome scanned and desaturated in Photoshop.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
An action moment in a place where not much happens. Great composition and very film/analog like.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Classic composition with perfect lighting make this image an instant winner. Questions being asked with no answers. We like this!
Photographers Comment
Ernie Blarinckx, Belgium. Picture of a romantic couple in a hotel room in Antwerp. The light is coming through a window in the room. Leica M9, 50mm summilux. Thanks to the judges for the recognition.
www.dynamicmedia.be/ernieblarinckx/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
So quiet that you can hear the silence. Narrow depth of field with beautiful bokeh, which almost appears to be painted. This takes our minds away ...
Photographers Comment
Wow what a great honor being chosen for a MOE from over 650 photos! Big thanks to the judges for their choice. Photo was taken at Asakusa Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan. Built in 645 AD it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Usually photographed from the outside in I tried a different perspective from the inside out. The thousands of visitors in the background made for and interesting bokeh. Photo taken with an Olympus EP2 and Voigtlander Nokton f/1.1 shot at f/1.1
www.facebook.com/corey.bennett.714

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Without giving away too much, it is obvious, that this photograph was taken in downtown Manhattan. Snowflakes in all sizes make this images moody and beautiful. Almost not to make out, the approaching person coming towards the photographer. Very cool!
Photographers Comment
R. A. Peterson New York, NY. Leica D-Lux 5. Walking through the snowy New York City streets. Flash accented the snow flakes very nicely. Color removed via Lightroom, minor crop. 12/26/2010.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Strong contrasts - water, sun and clouds, as well as a dominant shadow - all of these elements make a striking image which is one of this competition's finest. The deep shadow creates a depth and new dimension here, only the splashing water brings you back to reality.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for your kind words. I'm honored that this photo was selected for the mark of excellence! My name is Kyle Jervis and I spend most of my time in the world of skydiving. This gives me a chance to capture some rather unique images. This one is of my friend Matt executing a high speed landing across the swoop pond. This photo was shot with a Canon 40d and a 24mm prime lens. It has not been cropped and only the contrast, sharpness and definition levels were adjusted in iphoto.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Romantic greatness early morning ... it could be a movie or a private moment captured. You want to be there.
Photographers Comment
Ernie Blarinckx, Belgium. Photo taken in Venice late August. While I was setting up my camera to take a early morning shot, a couple walked in to my frame and started dancing. This was a real gift for me. They did not notice me, so I could take some great shots. This is one of them … Leica M9, 35mm summilux. Thanks to the judges for the recognition.
www.dynamicmedia.be/ernieblarinckx/