Winners of Reflections

Andy Laighleis chose this theme and had the following to say about Reflections "..., preferably not the standard water reflections (although these are acceptable) but more along the line of reflections in glass, building facades, sun glasses, mirrors or other shinny objects. Or it could be reflections on life, social conditions, emotions etc".

 

FIRST PLACE

 Antietam Reflections by Andy Laighleis

SECOND PLACE

 Egret Reflection By Nancie M

THIRD PLACE

 Reflections at the end of the day by Ruthie Benjamin

 

HONORABLE MENTION

 Clean Machine by Eagle Finegan

BEST OF THEME 

Best of Theme is picked by the photographer who chose that particular theme. It is seldom easy. Andy Laighleis had this to say about his two choices:

"It wasn’t easy to pick the “Best of Theme” there were several photos that reflected the theme. My pick for “Best of Theme” is the photo “Reflection in Many Ways” by Heidi M Breuer of her late husband. The photo shows several different aspects of theme “Reflections” You can see flowers reflecting in the glass, Heidi’s husband is sitting relaxing and appears to be reflecting on life and then there are Heidi’s reflections and memories of their life together."

 

Reflections in many ways by Heidi M. Breuer

". . .I would also like to award honorable mention for best of theme for Jacqui Binford-Bell photo “Upon Reflections J. Alan Baker 1958-2010” which is a very good example of the “could be reflections on life, social conditions, emotions etc” Jacqui nail it on the head when she said “What is more reflective than a photographer viewing what it is they are intending to capture.” This is one of the differences between someone who makes photographs versus one who takes photographs.?

 

 Upon Reflection J. Alan Baker 1958-2010 by J. Binford-Bell

 

Personal Note: I took the above photograph of of J. Alan Baker, husband to my sister Debbie, on National Forest road 76 riding the ridge to Cleveland, NM. Alan died suddenly this May at the age of 52. I had shared many a photographic exhibition with him and my sister.

Alan was a member of Picture Picks since our group was founded, a former admin, and a First Place Winner with photography, and the way he lived his life.

J. Binford-Bell, Admin. 

WINNERS OF ALL ABOUT TREES

This week's theme, picked by Heather Lossie, was another record breaker with 65 photos of trees submitted.

FIRST PLACE

Large Tree Against the Dark Sky by Andy Laighleis

SECOND PLACE

Tree Cenang Beach Langkawi by Nancie M

THIRD PLACE TIE

In the Springtime by Scott M. Anna

Angkor Wat Gate with Ancient Tree Roots by Nancie M

HONORABLE MENTION

Winter Sunset Bay St. Louis by Eagle Finegan

BEST OF THEME

While all the other places are picked by our members votes the best of theme is chosen by the photographer who picked the theme. Heather Lossie picked Bare Naked Ladies by Mike Zeiderman. "I'd be happy to hang this on my wall."

Bare Naked Ladies by Mike Zeiderman

WINNERS OF GOING GREEN/BEING GREEN

The Picture Picks group on Facebook has grown to 109 members. Forty-four members participated in this event posting 60 entries and 131 votes cast.

FIRST PLACE

Boat Ramp by Andy Laighleis

SECOND PLACE

Fenner Cows by Terri Tighe

THIRD PLACE

Dew by Christa Rompala

HONORABLE MENTION

Shades of Green a Monet's Garden by Heather Lossie

BEST OF THEME

First Dwelling by Ieneke Van Houten

The members of Picture Picks choose the winners of each event with their votes but Best of Theme is picked by the photographer that chose that theme. Eagle Finnegan, winner of FOOD picked Going Green/Being Green. She had this to say about her choice for Best of Theme: Eagle' choice for best of theme: I am going to pick Ieneke Van Houten's First Dwelling. I was looking for more of an environmental showing. Many wonderful photo's. But what could be greener than living in a tipi.

Winners of FUNNY

Our members had fun with the FUNNY theme this week, with smiles and laughs throughout the entries. Voting was light but very close, with only one vote separating First and Second places. Here are this week’s winners.

FIRST PLACE:
Sheep's Revenge "Up yours mate" by Heather Lossie.

SECOND PLACE:
I'm ready for that dive now by Anastasia Beaverhausen.

THIRD PLACE:
Great Blue Heron stalking its dinner by Andy Laighleis

HONORABLE MENTION:
No Porch Necessary by Lisa Branon-Huckaby.

BEST OF THEME:
Sheep's revenge "up yours mate" by Heather Loosie

Our first place winner was also chosen for Best of Theme by previous winner Jacqui Brown, Jacqui says:

Lol I really like this one of Heather's. For me anyway..that is funny, a little bit naughty and it has captured both naughty and funny,I like that in humour.

Winners of FOOD

A delicious week it was.  Just try to look through the photos without getting hungry.  The photos were beautiful and varied, as always.  Here are this week's winners.  Congratulations to all!

FIRST PLACE:
Bird catching a fish by Eagle Finegan

SECOND PLACE:
Food Market Day by Fran Barekis Pulli

THIRD PLACE:
Still life "Cheese" by Val Juneman

HONORABLE MENTION:
Watermelon by Eagle Finegan

BEST OF THEME:
Lettuce entertain you by Christa Rompala

Selected by previous winner, Nancie M:

My pick for the best of the theme is "Lettuce entertain you" by Christa. The lettuce looked so fresh, and ready to be picked for eating. Wonderful shot.

Winners of BRIDGES

I don't know when we've seen so many truly beautiful entries. Each photo offered such beauty, perspective, interest, it was a pleasure to browse through them over and over again. The voting was very difficult, as you all found. How to choose from so many wonderful views? Well choose we did, and here are this week's winners. Congratulations and thanks to all who participated!

FIRST PLACE
Whakarewarewa Thermal Area by Jacqui Brown

SECOND PLACE
Footbridge to the Park by Brian Crossland

THIRD PLACE
Burnside Bridge, Sharpsburg, Maryland, by Andy Laighleis

HONORABLE MENTION
Rainbow Bridge, Daejeon, South Korea by Nancie M

BEST OF THEME
My Backyard by Scott Anna

Chosen this week by Monica Griffey, here's what she had to say:

Best of Theme? Not this week!! They are all perfect for the theme!! I was trying to find a reasoning to pick one of these. What would I like on my wall? Where would I like to take my afternoon walk? Which one would I travel to see? Artistic? Fun? Natural? Geez, I have them all memorized!!! lol I did pick one...(but wanted many more!!!} "Bridges" My backyard added by Scott M. Anna . Why? It reminded me of home. I loved all of these!! I was a little surprised I didn't see a card game!!! Happy shooting my friends!!!

WINNERS OF LIGHTS AND SIRENS

This week's theme challenged our photographers, but 30 awesome pictures showed that it did not beat them.

FIRST PLACE

Sunset at Lankawi Beach by Nancie M

SECOND PLACE TIE

3 a.m. just before firefighters arrived by Ron Shook

In Tandem by Francis Kaye

THIRD PLACE

 Fiery Dawn by Jacqui Binford-Bell

BEST OF THEME

Best of Theme is picked by the winner of the previous event: SIDE BY SIDE, Alan Baker:

There were many absolutely beautiful pictures. After viewing and re-viewing and deciding, then changing my mind and started all over again, I pick two. Eagle Finegan "Red Lights" is the best literal interpretation of the theme containing both elements, lights proclaiming the presence of sirens luring others to their doom. 

Red Lights of New Orlean by Eagle Finegan

But keeping with the rescue portion of the theme, Ron Shook's "3 a.m." was very moving to me. I found myself staring into the middle of the fire on the photo, mesmorized by the flames as they leap from timber to timber. I can almost hear the sirens off in the distance. 

3 a.m. just before firefighters arrived by Ron Shook