Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: New London/Spicer - Lakes Area Review Entry Title: Polar Plunge Entry Credit: Macklin Caruso Judge Comment: An image should capture action and emotion, and this photograph does just that. The photographer used a fast shutter speed and waited until the perfect second to hit the shutter. However, the photographer should have zoomed in on the subject to use the full frame. All in all, the composition is well done, the timing is excellent, the exposure is spot on and the shot shows great emotion and action.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: St. Louis Park Sun Sailor Entry Title: "Students display their potential and energy" Entry Credit: Seth Rowe Judge Comment: The photographer captures the student's expression perfectly. The use of a shallow depth of field brings the viewer's attention right to the subject, and the inclusion of the project in the foreground helps lead the viewer's eye across the photograph while also illustrating the poster's message. This photograph would have taken the top spot had the photographer managed to include more of the poster. Overall, great timing, great framing, great composition. A wonderful image.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: New London/Spicer - Lakes Area Review Entry Title: The blue-collar medieval art of Luci Vasquez Entry Credit: Macklin Caruso Judge Comment: Great use of slow shutter speed to show the light trails created by the welder. Compositionally, the photograph could have been stronger. The photographer could have created a stronger image by zooming in on the subject, which would have resulted in a higher-place finish. Overall, the ability to use the equipment settings shows strong aptitude for photography and an overall great shot!
Competition Comment: This category was strong at the top, but the photos that filled the frame and displayed good action and emotion came out ahead of the competition. Knowing how to use a camera's functions can create compelling images, but the heart of photography comes from emotion and the right timing. Very impressive showing.
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