****AUTUMN 2006 CONTEST WINNERS****

[blueraven95]

First I want to say a big thank you to regnaD kciN! Besides taking the initiative in creating the seasonal contests, he really has done just about all the work behind the scenes, making it very easy for me to be the public face of this first contest. So a round of applause and drinks for everyone!

:applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause:

Now on to the winners!

1st Place

Cobalt Violet
Little Pond


“Little Pond is GORGEOUS! A request: is there a bigger version of it somewhere so I could use it as my desktop wallpaper? Thanks!” – janesez

:applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause:

2nd Place

graywarrior
Evans Notch


"Whoever did Evans Notch, PM me? I want that!” –48percenter

:applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause:

3rd Place

F.Gordon
Autumn Daze


“I loved Autumn Daze! Haunting” – StephenB48

:applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause:

While we loved absolutely every piece submitted, and I can go on at length about every single one of them (and will if prompted - ask the people I live with!), we still had to come up with our Host’s Choice Awards (two hosts, two awards).

Host’s Choice

Ms. Toad
Until next year…


Conjuring themes of the passage into death and winter, "Until Next Year..." is a phenomenal photograph, which captures both the harsher and softer sides of the fall season through texture. The fuzzy tendrils bring to mind mohair sweaters and warmth, but at the base of the plant the sharp, bare center reminds us of fall's stark temperament. The clarity of the photo serves to draw us into the picture, expressing the season with an evocative eye towards detail and texture.

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

and

Host’s Choice

JeffR
“…but I am not resigned”


"... but I am not resigned" elicits a quiet elegance that evokes the passage of time and the changing of seasons. The gray of the stone contrasts with the bright yellow of the trees in the background - emphasizing the link between life and death. However, the clarity of the tombstone (complete with an angel who recalls the past season with the plant she holds) in contrast to the faded leaves brings to mind the death of summer and the passage into winter.

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

I have nothing but awe for the quality of pieces submitted. I have enjoyed every submission and I wish that I could single out each one for its amazingness. I think ConsAreLiars said it best with, “The stunning thing about these contests, apart from the photos themselves, is the fact that each of the images tells some important truth about our world and each gets (and deserves) several votes. In this way, the contests show that each of the entries is "the best" and the most compelling for several people. My problem in voting is that I want to vote for every single one. Like trying to pick the best "music" when types touch you in some way.”

Every photo in this contest is deserving of a prize.

:applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause: :toast: :applause:

edit for my bad grammer.

[regnaD kciN]

1. And a special round of applause to blueraven95...

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

...for doing a wonderful job hosting this contest. I know she got a lot more handed to her than she probably expected when she volunteered to help me with this contest. ;-) Talk about coming through with flying colors!

:yourock:

And everybody remember: the Scenes of Winter contest will open for entries on February 1st. Keep it in mind as you go about your winter shoots!

[jhain]

2. Yes- Bravo!! n/t

[babylonsister]

3. Beautiful pix all! Thank you, everyone! nt

[JeffR]

4. blueraven95 & regnaD kciN

This was an absolutely great contest. These seasonals are a wonderful addition to the monthly contests. And GD as the right forum for contest staging has really proved itself. The vote totals demonstrate that.

Congratulations to the winner (with a brilliant photo) and to the wonderful silver and bronze winning entries. These are really magical shots, and there were so many more besides that deserve the highest praise.

As to a Host's Choice for my pic, I'm really humbled by that. I was very pleased with my entry and put as much forethought into the pic as I could, but the emotional resonance of the photo pales beside Blue_In_AK's gravestone shot. So I'll accept the honor gratefully, but I dedicate it to her.

Final thought: F.Gordon, you took THIRD IN THE AUTUMN CONTEST WITH A BLACK AND WHITE! I shudder to think what kind of a juggernaut you'll unleash in the winter go-round...:scared

[graywarrior]

5. I am astounded at coming in 2nd.

I was so emotionally moved by the other photo's this month. Each one affected me in such a different way, and differently every time I came back to look at them again. It is so awesome to be included in with this group. I can't tell you what it meant to me. Thank you so much for voting.

[JeffR]

6. I think I told you after you submitted your entry

that it gave me some grave - pardon the expression - misgivings. Not only do you belong here, you're a force to be reckoned with. Looking forward to seeing many more examples of your work.

[JeffR]

7. Q: Will there be a thread announcing Cobalt Violet's entry as the winner

in GD?

[ConsAreLiars]

8. Good idea

I think the posting should be a link to this thread, rather than a dupe of it.

[blueraven95]

15. posted in GD

with link to here. :)

[Ms. Toad]

9. Thank you for the wonderful job hosting

and for the kind words about my photo!

Kudos to all.

[Blue_In_AK]

10. Congratulations, All...

And I'm so glad to see Ms. Toad gets special recognition for her wonderful shot. I just love that one.

[Eurobabe]

11. CONGRATS TO COBALT AND GRAY

(Now what school colors are those?)

Anywho...those are my most favorite pictures in the contest. Great job to you two. And thanks to BlueRaven for doing a fab job with the FIRST PHOTO CONTEST IN GD!!! AWESOME!!

Kudos also to Ms. Toad (who is nursing a broken heart over her dearly departed kitty :hug:) and also to JeffR. Excellent work, both of you.

-48%er

[WePurrsevere]

12. Wonderful photos... Congratulations to all. :-) n/t

[Call Me Wesley]

13. Great pictures!

Congratulations to all! :thumbsup:

[Cobalt Violet]

The photos were all great.

That makes coming in 1st so much of a honor. I can't believe a photo I took actually won one of these contest; the competition is fierce. Win or not I always enjoy these contest.

Thanks everyone.

[Cobalt Violet]

14. Dupe. Self delete.

[Lucky Luciano]

16. Do you have more precise locations?

I would like to stop by some of these palces next year.

[Nite Owl]

17. They are all amazingly beautiful!

Congrats to all the winners and thank you all for sharing your work.

:toast: :yourock:

[MessiahRp]

18. That second place photo is amazing

Looks like you're being swallowed by a beutiful autumn forest... almost looks as if the Headless Horseman should be on his horse waiting for you on the other side of that.

Beautiful. :)

Rp

[graywarrior]

21. That road is one of the most primitive which winds back and forth between NH and ME

It is on Route 113 and runs about 15 miles, all twists and turns, and is part of the national forest.The road is completely closed during the winter months. I would love to get in there during a gentle snow and get some shots. Wild life is abundant there and several scenic vista's are just breathtaking...scenes that you don't ordinarily see.

[CC]

19. Congrats winners and

great job to our host. :applause::applause::applause::toast::yourock::toast::applause::applause::applause:

[InternalDialogue]

20. Congratulations, Cobalt Violet!

But thank you to all the photographers. Phenomenal work, beautiful images, colors, and composition. I enjoyed looking at them all, reluctantly voted for a few, not caring if my favorites won or not.

And thanks, blueraven95, for administering the contest. Great way to promote the visibility of some of our talented DUers.

[F.Gordon]

22. Had a feelin' that "Holy Shit !!" might grab 1st Place

It just sucks that Cobalt Violet won't get a chance to claim the normal "prize" for winning. ;)

Congrats to everyone... graywarrior, Ms. Toad, JeffR.... qanda for taking the plunge for the 1st time...

:toast:

And StephenB48, if you're reading this I want my $25.00 back !!. I told you to say daunting.... not haunting. You just can't hire good shills these days.

http://www.forumphotogroup.com/gallery/2135663

[graywarrior]

23. Very nice forumphotogroup, F. Gordon

[blueraven95]

24. I was wondering if I had to do anything to get the photos up in there

I was about to pm you about it :)

BTW, I LOVED your piece and was hoping you would tell me how you did it, so I can try it out. Thanks.

[qanda]

25. Thanks F. Gordon

I'm glad I took the plunge. It was a great experience and it has helped me to take a second look at some of the photos I have taken and how I can make them better in the future. And congratulations to you and to everyone else for the wonderful photos you presented.