WINNERS OF SUNRISE/SUNSET

FIRST PLACE

"Sunset at Cape Charles, VA"
By John Rowe
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SECOND PLACE

"Sunset Through a Wizened Ponderosa Pine"
By Mel Holloway
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THIRD PLACE

"Sunrise at the Grand Canyon"
By Jacqui Binford-Bell
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BEST OF THEME
Chosen by Scott Michael Anna

"Sunset Through a Wizened Ponderosa Pine"
By Mel Holloway

"Mel's photo encompasses the feeling that surrounds me when I think of a sunrise or a sunset. The warmth, and the beauty of the photo does this 100%. I had taken a very similar photo to this one about a year ago. My mother, who is at the final stages of her life, used my photo as her background image on her computer, and it continues to be. So, in honor of my mother, I choose this photo, knowing that she would love it and it would give her the same feeling that I get when I look at it. There were several photos that encompassed the warmth and beauty of a sunrise or sunset in the submissions, but this was the one that gave me the extra feeling of my mother saying: "This is beautiful!" - Scott Michael Anna

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WINNERS OF "LEGS"

FIRST PLACE

"HELLO THERE"
By Suzanne McLaughlin Stout
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SECOND PLACE TIE

"WATER BUGS"
By Shekinah Rae

~and~

"RIDE THE SKY"
By Terry Atkin Rowe
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THIRD PLACE TIE

"LEG UP"
By Eagle Finegan

~and~

"SEMPER FI"

By Clifford Forstadt
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BEST OF THEME
Chosen by Mel Holloway

"WALKING ON A TIGHTROPE"
By Scott Michael Anna
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WINNERS OF "DIAMONDS and/or RUST"

FIRST PLACE

"GLIMMERING LIGHT CAUGHT MY EYE"
By Scott Michael Anna
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SECOND PLACE TIE

"LONG WAIT, ANGEL"
By Terry Atkin Rowe

~and~

"AUTUMN RAIN"
By Brian Crossland
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THIRD PLACE

"PEACE OUT"
By Eagle Finegan
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BEST OF THEME

"OXIDATION RAINBOW"
By Suzanne McLaughlin Stout


Best of Theme was chosen by Scott Michael Anna:
"From the moment I saw this photo by Suzanne, it captured everything that I was hoping to see posted in the theme when I came up with it. The rainbow of colors, jewel-like crystallization, and the natural rust tones fit the theme perfectly. I was going to choose 2 photos as Best of Theme (one with "diamonds" and one with "rust",) but Suzanne's photo fit both into one. "

WINNERS OF "GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT"

FIRST PLACE

"WHY I DON'T PULL WEEDS"
By Anthony Greco
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SECOND PLACE TIE

"JUMP"
By Sheryl Rosedoff Bergman

~ and ~

"PURPLE CLEMATIS"
By Suzanne McLaughlin Stout
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THIRD PLACE

"THE WISE ONE"
By Scott Michael Anna

WINNERS OF "SHADOWS"

FIRST PLACE

"TIMING"
By Mel Holloway
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SECOND PLACE

"WHAT REMAINS"
By Terry Atkin Rowe

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THIRD PLACE

"IN THE SHADOWS"
By Jonathan Swift
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BEST OF THEME
Chosen by Mike Redmond

"TIMING"
By Mel Holloway

WINNERS OF LINES

FIRST PLACE

Ripples in the Sand by Scott Michael Anna

SECOND PLACE TIE

Peace Train by Christa Rompala

Ocean City, NJ, by Fran Barekis Pulli

THIRD PLACE

Dock of Ages by Mike Redmond.

BEST OF THEME

Untitled by Mel Holloway

Best of Theme from Sheryl Rosedoff Bergman

I am choosing Mel Holloway's photo of the snow for best of theme. This photo has captured my eye from the first time I saw it in an earlier contest with all its linear lines; from the fence, to the road, to the trees. I am in love with this photo for the emotion it brings.

And so farewell.

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