WINNERS OF SURPRISE US!

First Place

Bolsover Castle by Brian Crossover

Second Place

Bartholdi spray by Terry Atkins Rowe

Third Place

The Power of Friendship by Sheryl Rosendoff Bergman

Best of Theme

Stars by Jonathan Swift

Best of Theme this event was chosen by the admins for Picture Picks, Brian Crossland, Catherine Sweetpotatoe, and myself. To be entirely fair we eliminated our three entries. The the of Surprise Us! was meant to spur members to explore outside of their comfort zone and to expand their normal focal interest. We all do get in ruts and summer vacations are a great time to break those patterns.

A lot of great photographs this event but not that many that surprised us, however. Stars by Jonathan Swift did fit the bill. We are all still wondering how he managed to get this inspiring pictures of stars.

Jacqui Binford-Bell

Winners of Double Up

First Place

Sentry Duty by Brian Crossland

Second Place

Two in the sky by Monica Griffey

Third Place

Riding Double by Eagle Finegan

The Best of Theme 

Chosen by Scott Michael Anna and Rick Cannon

Sisters by Sheryl Rosedoff Bergman

From Scott Michael Anna: With a collaboration, and mutual agreement with Rick and myself, we proudly choose Sheryl Rosedoff Bergman's photo : "Sisters - My two girls love each other and I think it shows" as Best of Theme for this week in "Double Up".

In the comments, members defined the photo as:

"Beautiful!"
"Lovely!!!"
"It is a perfect photo for any theme."
"Wonderful!"
"It exudes peace and love..."
"Such a tender capture.!"

"It certainly captures the theme and stirs up emotion."-Rick Cannon

"When Rick and I came to agreement on what the theme would be for this week, I knew what kind of photograph I would like to see to define the theme. At the first moment I saw Sheryl's photo, I knew that it was EXACTLY what we had envisioned."-Scott Michael Anna

WINNERS OF FLOWERS

FIRST PLACE

Puff by Monica Griffey

SECOND PLACE THREE WAY TIE

Petunia Swirls by CheyAnne Sexton

Beauty in Black and White by Deborah Binford Baker

Daisies by Brian Crossland

THIRD PLACE

April Showers by Scott Michael Anna

BEST OF THEME

“Floral Reflection” by Clifford Forstadt.

 Brian Crossland had this to say about his choice for Best of Theme:

• Flowers are beautiful things offering many opportunities for lovely images. I find in Clifford’s photo a demonstration not only the beauty of flowers but also of the observation of an opportunity that I, as an amateur, seek to develop.
  
  Admin Note: A really good week. We had 34 entries, the last time we had more than this was in June 2010. Some great photographs enjoyed by our 56 guests who cast a total of 143 votes and gave us a clear winner. The other places were much more closely contested.
  
  
  It looks like we will be going out with a bang with the new theme of “Obscure” everyone seems to be taking to that one and running with it. I am feeling very encouraged. The move to the new site is going well and everyone, so far, seems happy with our efforts, which is very gratifying.
  
  

  Brian Crossland

  
  

WINNERS OF DICHOTOMY

In Equal First Place

Dichotomy on Imbolc by Shekinah Rae

 Imbolc, BTW, is one of the four principal festivals of the Gaelic year, celebrated at the beginning of February or the first local signs of Spring.

 

Tourist all covered in Oil by Eagle Finegan

Second Place

All dressed up and nowhere to go by Heather Lossie

Third Place

The Mosque by Brian Crossland

Best of Theme

Eagle Finegan picked “Are you Sure ?” By Donna Palmund

“Are you Sure ?” By Donna Palmund

Eagle had this to say about her choice: . I had more than a few people ask me what did dichotomy mean. I told them go look at Donna's photo. I think that will clear up any questions. What a find!

We welcome two new members this week, Spencer Hogan and Sheryl Rosedoff Bergman who has already entered our next contest Lights, Camera, Drama.

WINNERS OF SPORT

 I am going to do this PPWG just a bit differently this week. I am going to begin with Best of Theme because it is the only undisputed photograph in this event. Best of Theme is picked by the winning photographer that picked the theme: Pascale Fernandez - "The full team is there to play!!!! "0-20" by Brian Crossland.

20-0 by Brian Crossland

Normally our first place winner is honored by putting their photo on the event image. This week in an effort to not upset any of those tied for first we will put Best of Theme in that position. And the right to choose the event after BLACK AND WHITE is also suppose to go to the first place winner of SPORT but the admins for Picture Picks will pick it instead. The two photographers tied for first can message us their suggestion and we will choose.


Tied for First Place with 12 votes each :

Play Ball! By Clifford Forstadt

Rowing Away by Pascale Fernandez

Low Tide at Sunrise and Canoeing by Eagle Finegan had tied for first in the votes but it also was a previous 1st place winner of  The Things I love and cannot win again. It is a great photograph, Eagle.

Tied for Second Place with 8 votes each :

Weiner Dog Basketball by Catherine SweetPotato

Mens College Lacrosse Tournament by Suzanne McLaughlin

Tied for Third Place with 7 votes each :

Watersports by Scott Michael Anna

Murderball by Ruthie Benjamin

St Anthony’s Triathlon by Jennifer Chappell

There were only 20 photographs posted for this event and eight of those are here honored. My questions to the members of Picture Picks, photographers and voters alike, are: 1)Is this truly about becoming better photographers or just about winning and popularity? 2)And should we change the event rules so only those that post a photograph are eligible to vote.

WINNERS OF BIG PICTURE, SMALL TITLE

Big Picture, Small title attracted 34 entries. Since I picked the topic, and am doing the post I was gratified with the enthusiasm. AND the lot smaller titles to have to type in while drinking my first cup of coffee. Congratulations to all winners of this event. And a special thank you to all who participated.

FIRST PLACE

Freedom by Anthony Greco

SECOND PLACE

Paris by Pascale Fernandez

THIRD PLACE

Sands by Eagle Finegan

HONORABLE MENTION

Prairie by Donna Palmlund

BEST OF THEME

And for best of theme for this week's Big Picture, Small Title Jacqui Binford-Bell, winner of Wood, picked Terry Atkin Rowe's Freedom.

"This was difficult. Best of Theme pick this week was not just about a great photograph but also a great title; not just a title that stated the obvious, but one which completed the photo essay of the 1000 words the picture spoke. There were five I was choosing from but in the end Terry's photo of the US capital with flag and dark storm clouds won out. Her title on that picture spoke volumes."  

Freedom by Terry Atkin Rowe

This was posted by Picture Picks admin J. Binford-Bell.

WINNERS OF WOOD

The Theme of WOOD got a lot of our members out and about with their cameras and that is always good. We had 30 photographs posted by members and 51 members voted on them. 

FIRST PLACE

Grandma's Rolling Pin by J. Binford-Bell

SECOND PLACE TIE

The Art of Wood by Fran Barekis Pulli

Wood Reflection by Kimberly Farrell Rossiter

THIRD PLACE TIE

Knot on Fence by Ruthie Benjamin

Wooden Grainery by Donn Palmlund

HONORABLE MENTION

Jimmy Boy by Eagle Finegan

BEST OF THEME

Best of theme this week will be chosen by Eagle Finegan who chose the theme of Wood.

"I am going to pick Ruthies, "wood knot" I love the detail....." 

Wood Knot by Ruthie Benjamin

 

WINNERS OF GARDEN VIEWS

We had 29 wonderful garden views for this event. Obviously a popular subject for our photographers

FIRST PLACE

Double Rainbow by Scott Michael Anna

SECOND PLACE TIE

The Tree Dahlia by Jacqui Brown

Garden of Memories by Catherine SweetPotato

THIRD PLACE

Mad about Daises by Nancie M

BEST OF THEME

Musical Garden by Christa Rompala

Catherine SweetPotato's thoughts on this selection: "The Musical Garden was one that I was drawn to for it's unique water garden. This photo captures an aquatic garden with all it's beauty as well as the motion of water trickling from the wonderful garden fountain. I could almost here the music of the water in this photo!"

Winners of Take a Closer Look

Once again there were some amazing photos posted to Picture Picks on Facebook making voting a challenge. Congratulations to our all our winners. And Good Show to everyone that participated.

 

FIRST PLACE - No Sign of Struggle by Becky Griffin Stauffer

The snow print of a raptor catching a warm meal

SECOND PLACE - Honey Bee Makes Stop by Stephen Prendergast

FIRST HONORABLE MENTION - Taken at the Botanical Gardens by Deborah Binford Baker

SECOND HONORABLE MENTION - Fine Crystal by Monica Griffey

BEST OF THEME/PHOTOGRAPHER'S CHOICE

Dog's Nose with Sand by Eagle Finegan

Deborah Binford-Baker, winner of Quirks and Oddities, picked the theme of Take a Closer Look and so picked Best of Theme. She had this to say about her choice:

We are so busy sometimes in life that we miss the amazing beauty that is there right under our noses. It was a hard pick but I like this one. Taking macro pictures or a part of something bigger makes us more observant in life, plus on a long hike makes for a lot of catching your breath shots.

The Classics - Remembering those old Kodak moments

Just for fun, the administrators of Picture Picks have decided to add another event to run concurrently with our regular contests, but this time with a twist. This is all about old photos.  Remember all those old Kodak photo opportunities? We even got dressed up in our Sunday best on those days when Dad brought out the Brownie camera! And Kodak had all these roadside pullovers too - called the 'Kodak photo opportunity'. I know that I've been placed before some grand landscapes in my time!

And I have a bunch of old family photos up in my trunk that I've been meaning to scan into my computer as digitalized images, but there never seems to be anything to push me to do it. In fact, I don't even have the new scanner installed yet, and it's been over a year! If you are in the same place, now is the time to revisit those old memories. If by chance you've lost those treasures because of flood, fire or hurricane, then Photoshop a new picture to mirror those memories.

Of course, for this event, we are waiving the rule that you have to be the photographer. And, for a little extra fun, you can submit THREE photos for this special event. However, please note the special rules for this event by visiting Picture Picks to check out this and all other posted events. THE CLASSICS, as we've chosen to call it, is running concurrently with our regular events. Of course, photos are still being posted till midnight Wednesday (-7 GMT) with voting beginning as usual on Thursday through Friday midnight for TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

J. Binford-Bell, Administrator