A category chock full of images. The judges really liked a lot of the entries on the first few passes so it took some time to narrow down the choices. As usual there were a number of what we felt to be mis-categorized images, frames that very clearly represented planned news coverage that therefore did not meet the found moment essence of this category. One truly notable example, a gorgeous frame of a horse drawn cortege from a funeral, the light and composition caught our eye immediately, but we all agreed it was absolutely a general news frame. It might even have placed highly in that category. Often the line can be blurry between the two categories, but we felt quite strongly that there was no blur in this case. First place was very much the found moment kind of image. Yes, perhaps part of a planned news event, since we can’t imagine the space suit is a random wardrobe decision, but the photographer found the lighter moment outside of the planned aspects, and we really liked the humorous moment and the light and clean composition. The historic site visitors framed in a vintage window had such a great feel. The judges really liked the effort it took for the photographer to get the window so cleanly square with the subtle elements framed in the panes. In third we discussed at length how we felt about the use of drones that has become almost ubiquitous these days, everyone has one and uses them to no end, but when it works, it works, and this frame, while maybe needing a touch of toning to bring down the highlights, has so much to look at, so much going on, from the swimmers, to the sunbathers to the lone person caught in mid-air jumping from the cliff. A photo of kids jumping off a rusted railroad bridge was narrowly edged out of the top three.
Judges:
Sean D. Elliot/The Day, Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel, Jim Evans/Morning Sentinel-retired
Judges Comments
A category chock full of images. The judges really liked a lot of the entries on the first few passes so it took some time to narrow down the choices. As usual there were a number of what we felt to be mis-categorized images, frames that very clearly represented planned news coverage that therefore did not meet the found moment essence of this category. One truly notable example, a gorgeous frame of a horse drawn cortege from a funeral, the light and composition caught our eye immediately, but we all agreed it was absolutely a general news frame. It might even have placed highly in that category. Often the line can be blurry between the two categories, but we felt quite strongly that there was no blur in this case. First place was very much the found moment kind of image. Yes, perhaps part of a planned news event, since we can’t imagine the space suit is a random wardrobe decision, but the photographer found the lighter moment outside of the planned aspects, and we really liked the humorous moment and the light and clean composition. The historic site visitors framed in a vintage window had such a great feel. The judges really liked the effort it took for the photographer to get the window so cleanly square with the subtle elements framed in the panes. In third we discussed at length how we felt about the use of drones that has become almost ubiquitous these days, everyone has one and uses them to no end, but when it works, it works, and this frame, while maybe needing a touch of toning to bring down the highlights, has so much to look at, so much going on, from the swimmers, to the sunbathers to the lone person caught in mid-air jumping from the cliff. A photo of kids jumping off a rusted railroad bridge was narrowly edged out of the top three.