City Competition 5 - all cities! : Results

Competition Winner : First Prize
$790.00 plus a Leica C worth $700

Judges Comment
Photographs have often been applauded for their ability to "capture a moment in time". While that certainly does happen, it is those photographs that go beyond a simple capture that pull the attention of the viewer. In this image the photographer was able to create a series of unique relations within the frame. This moment will only exist within this photograph, which is what is captivating and magical about this image. A very dynamic triangle is created between the mystery of the men/women under the umbrella, the man with the bottle, and ultimately the viewer. A great image that asks questions rather than answer them.
Photographers Comment
I am honoured to receive first prize in this competition. My name is Samuel Mortimer and I am a 20-year-old Philosophy student from the UK. This photo was taken during the final moments of 2013 at the New Year's celebrations in London. It was a fantastic opportunity to take photos, with so many people and so much emotion. I used a Ricoh GRD III (a small-sensor compact with a fixed 28mm-equivalent prime lens) to take this photo, as a black and white JPEG at ISO 1600 (my favourite setting for this camera - I love the rendering). Post-processing is limited to a slight change in brightness - otherwise, this is simply an un-cropped out-of-camera JPEG. I am very grateful to the judges, both for the award and for their kind comments on the image. The prize looks excellent - I look forward to taking photos with it!
www.flickr.com/samuelmortimer

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
This photograph succeeds on a variety of levels. The image is visually disorienting and challenging to read in a literal sense, creating both interest and tension in the viewer. At the same time, the composition is classically balanced in terms of formal arrangement, tonal contrast, and directional movement, creating, paradoxically, a sense of harmonious calm. The shoe near the bottom of the image injects a humanizing element of humor, while also serving to animate the bubble form above it. The overall effect is a strange, ominous, funny, and captivating.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for the "Mark of Excellence"! This photo is taken in the heart of Stockholm, at Sergels Torg. The man in the bubble is sitting inside a library reading. Outside there is steady flow of people, from morning to late in the evening. The library is on the ground floor in Kulturhuset. If you come to Stockholm you can spend some time there looking at exhibitions. /Bengt Kallenberg, living in Gustavsberg outside Stockholm
www.kallenbergphoto.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A well crafted image such as this one, can appeal to both the senses and intellect at the same time. The arrangement of compositional elements works well here to draw the viewer through the sequence and components of the image, and at the same time the harmonious colors and tones are pleasing to the eye. This image keeps the viewer engaged enough to allow the intellectual process to turn around possible statements, purposes, or meaning in the in image.
Photographers Comment
Hi, my name is Sue Foll, I'm a London based professional photographer. This picture was taken on Bond Street, which is probably the most fashionable shopping location in London. Using a Canon 5D mk1

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
This image captured the juries attention on multiple layers. It is technically well executed, tonalities and use of focus, strong composition that drives the narrative, and gives us just enough clues to discover the location. The use of focus in this image creates a strong tension between our subject, the man in the car, and the two figures in the background. Major cities are often covered with billboards, and this image shows us how the urban space becomes one.
Photographers Comment
Well, thank you. I'm glad you like my picture. It's taken on Bond Street, during a traffic jam. Bond Street is the finest and most expensive retail locations in London, therefore being stationary is a bore for the wealthy. This man is rich

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
We felt this image was deserving for its beautiful abstractness. Appearing at first as a simple play on shapes and colors, a longer glance allows the image to work with one's imagination. The face appears, then the writing on the wall begins to tell the face's story to the viewer. Wonderful image!

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
While deciding which images would make the selection, the jury was also looking for simplicity. The decision to render this image in B&W, thus simplifying the color dynamic, gives this photograph a very distinct visual strength. Because of its overall sharp focus this image lends itself both to a detailed inspection of the scene and to an abstract interpretation. It is informative and evocative of the urban space. The jury was particularly attracted to the vendors displaying their goods on the floor and the fact that the viewer is not quite sure where everyone is going.
Photographers Comment
I am honored to receive a mark of excellence. My name is Ryan Chuman, and this particular scene was shot while I was vacationing in Paris with my girlfriend. I took this photograph with a Nikon D5000 and a Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8G prime lens. It was an overcast day, and we decided to take the stairs to the Eiffel Tower’s summit. At its base, the Eiffel Tower attracts vendors, tourists, armed guards, and local residents that are just passing through, but as I approached the summit I realized that what was once a chaotic street scene had simplified into this unassuming yet calming image. I appreciate that the judges recognized the simplicity in the photograph. Thank you again for the honor.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
The jury appreciates this image as a highly skilled and effective contemporary exploration of the modernist sensibility in black and white photography. The linear, planar, and tonal elements are in near-perfect balance, with the shadow figure serving as both a focal point to highlight the framing of windows within walls within columns, as well as an element of intrigue. The image succeeds not so much as an innovation in concept, but as an example of virtuosic execution.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for this mark of excellence! This pictures was shot in Paris, "La Defense". Early morning under un bright suny day. Shot with a Nex 6 mounted with a Canon FD lense, 50 mm 1.4. Converted in b&w In Lr with few contrast adjustment. Ronald.
www.ronaldgrauer.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Echoes on Henri Cartier-Bresson resonate from this image but the jury felt that this image had enough twists - including being presented upside down and the converging brick and dashed street lines - to make an often-shot subject fresh. We felt this image was well composed and executed as well.
Photographers Comment
I feel honored to have this one featured with a mark of excellence. Thank you very much. This shot was taken in Frankfurt am Main, Germany on a very rainy day. On my way to work I saw this huge puddle at a road junction and the high-rise buildings reflected in it. Unfortunately I only had my iPhone4s with me. But as any photographer knows: The best camera is the one that is with you (or was it the one you left at home?). With my composition in mind I waited for about 20 minutes until the desired situation finally appeared. As I keep my iPhone shots iPhone only, post process was also done with iPhone4s using the apps "Snapseed" and "Mextures". The photo is flipped and therefore called "down is the new up".
www.martindietrichphotography.de

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
It's hard to resist the idea of the shadow coming to life in this well organized image. That play against the otherwise empty of life architectural shot was engaging and enjoyable. We appreciated the clean lines and uncluttered compositional approach of the image as well.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
The jury applauds this photographer for his or her creativity, daring, humor, and iconoclasm. This image shows there is still plenty of opportunity left to deploy the medium of photography in service to surprising and delighting the viewer. Although it is far from a flawless composition, the jury hopes it will embolden other photographers to take risks and to explore alternative approaches to their craft in the future.
Photographers Comment
My intention is to entertain and amuse. The glows and drips aren't perfect, but neither is the concept. But it was fun to do. I do hope that the creative use of alternative photography applications is excepted as "art". Messing around with Photoshop Elements is where I find the most creativity. I used a Nikon D-90 and a Cannon SX30. Capuchin is from Costa Rica, Gull From San Francisco Bay, Sky line shot from Airplane landing in New Jersey, Boat from remote model in Golden Gate Park pond. All composited in photoshop elements on a Mac laptop. No wonder it was not flawless. Neither am I. Thank you for recognizing my intentions and creativity.
joeannsphotos.photoshelter.com