Dear friends, as I had already mentioned in my earlier post, I’ve chosen winners under two categories, Sunrise and Sunset. Out of the 26 photos in the fray, a predominant number fall under the Sunset category.
However, I’ve come across some great photos under the Sunrise category as well. Believe me, the job of selecting the winners in this category was quite difficult. Before I sat down to select the winners, I decided to ignore the voting trend and the ultimate winners as announced by Paul based on popular vote. This is not to imply that the voting system was in any way defective, on the contrary, it provided a reasonably consensual perspective of the voters’ choice. I totally bow down to and accept the popular verdict.
That said, I hasten to add that we had a system in place while announcing the competition, whereby, a chosen critic or judge will in turn choose the winners as per his sole judgement. I had a job to do, and I did it with utmost sincerity and dedication towards a fair and just selection of winners.
Without further ado, let me announce the first set of winners:
Spy009 - First Prize
Ah! A perfect Sunrise… The Sun is just above the horizon and gives the impression as though it is kissing the waters. The slight morning haze has caused dispersion of light, but the angle of the rays imparts a metallic glow to the waters giving the impression that the sea is filled with mercury. The golden glow reflected off a sea of mercury makes this picture unique. If only there was something in the foreground… a humanising element to break the monotony. Nevertheless, a standout photo.
http://www.mouthshut.com/Gallery/myphoto.php?user=Paulsb0 2
Sujyothi - Second Prize
A picture perfect Sunrise. Almost like a painting which I would love to hang on my wall. Compared to sunsets, sunrises are more difficult to compose and shoot because of the early morning haze, which tends to blur the image. Rarely, you will find the morning sun disc captured so beautifully. Additionally, the person behind the camera used the surrounding greenery to good effect. Not a perfectly clear pic, but then the morning haze has come in the way. But it does give the effect of a watercolour painting.
http://www.mouthshut.com/Gallery/myphoto.php?user=Paulsb0 2
Dayanidhi - Third Prize
An indirect picture of the Sunrise. You wouldn’t know the time of the day unless the photographer mentioned it, and here Daya ji says it’s 6.40 AM. The picture provides for an excellent study of light and shade characteristics of the morning scene. Not a true blue sunrise, but a picture worth cherishing because of the angle that captures streaks of light alternating with dark shadows. Honestly, this pic would have been great in a different context but since we are dealing with Sunrises and Sunsets, I feel it loses out a trifle.
http://www.mouthshut.com/Gallery/myphoto.php?user=Paulsb0 2
Other photos that had a lot to offer but narrowly missed out will be listed under the 12 consolation prizes category and the list will be posted shortly.
Kudos to the winners, and the participants… all the photos were worth giving a second, and third look.
~mbf~