Hi all,

I want to see your BEST work, and I thought this can be really cool!

You are to submit ONE (and ONLY ONE) of the BEST photos you took during 2009.
Tell me about the photo, why you picked this specific one, why it is important to you?

I will have a panel of 3 judges (all professional photographers who are my good friends)
We will select THE BEST photo and the winner will get the following prizes:
1st Prize winner:
1. Three hours of 1:1 training with me
2. A model available to practice.
3. Ask me anything you like! Business related, Photography related, anything!
Total Value of $630

2nd Prize winner:
one free entry to a group workshop

3rd Prize winner:
50% off one of my workshops

IMPORTANT RULES!

• You can only submit one photo, and you can only submit it once. Multiple submissions will be disqualified!
  
• Photo size should be minimum 800px width/length You can link to a high-res image if you like.
  
• All submissions should be a reply to this message.
  
• Include your real name (only first name is needed)
  
• Include a SHORT description of why you picked this image.
  
• Last day for submissions is February 10, 2010 midnight. I will close this message on that time.
  
• You must join my group in order to be eligible to win.
  
• There is no rules to what the image can be of, it can be anything! Your job is amaze the board.
  

Winner will be announced here on February 17.

I think this will be a great way to start the year! Get to know you all, and see your work!

Our Judges:
I'm excited to announce that one of my good friends, and mentor, Mike Larson will be one the judges.
Mike is an amazing photographer, his work is breathtaking!
Check out his work at the following links:
Website - www.mikelarson.com
Blog - www.mikelarson.com/blog
Facebook - www.facebook.com/mikelarsoninc
Twitter - www.twitter.com/mikelarsoninc

I'm also excited to announce that one of my good friends, and someone I'm getting a lot of inspiration from, Joseph Kohn will be one the judges.
Joseph is an exceptional photographer that has an amazing eye for details!
Check out his work online at: www.IQphoto.com


Uploading your photos - Instructions:
How can I include photos in my Message Board posts?
To upload a photo to a Message Board post, the photo must first be hosted online, either on the Meetup site, or on a photo hosting website. Hosted photos have an 'http' address which you'll need for this process. To find the 'http' address for your photo, right click the photo in your browser and select 'Properties.' The 'http' address should appear next to 'Location.'

Once you have that address, click 'Add a reply' on the discussion you wish to reply to. Above the text area where you enter your post, you'll see a toolbar. Click the photo icon that looks like a snapshot, and you'll be asked to enter the 'image url' and/or a 'link url.' The image url is the 'http' address for the photo. Enter it there, click 'Ok,' and 'Submit' your reply. Your photo will be included in your post.

How can I upload photos to a Meetup Group?
To upload photos to your Meetup Group, click on the 'Photos' tab on the left side of your Meetup Group's page. Choose the album you want to upload your photos to, and then click the 'Add photos' link at the top of the page.

On the next page, select the album you want to add your photos to from the drop-down menu at the top, and then use the window below to locate the images you want to add on your computer. Drag and drop your photos to the bottom half of the window, and then click 'Upload.' Your photos will then appear on your group's 'Photos' page.

If you have trouble using the upload page, you can always click 'Use our old upload form' below the 'Upload' button to add photos one at a time.

* You can also upload a photo to your flickr account, or Model Mayhem account and link it from there

I also created a flicker group for this photography contest. Here is the link to the group: Flickr Group for photography contest

I hope this helps!

Good luck to everyone!
Tsafrir (Mike)
www.PhotosTM.com

Name:Desmond
Description: This is a photo I took of a model named Sumer for a catalog shoot for Isha Couture. I really loved how this shot came out. It was my first time using a new strobe setup I purchased, and it was on-location( not the brightest idea for trying out a new system ;) . My strobes didn't fire correctly and I was left with only one light. This shot came out great and I decided to throw my hat in to the HDR craze and put this finish on it. I also colored her eyes to match her blouse for a little more pop.

I'd love to hear any feedback!

Image by Steve Conely

This image actually makes me feel a strong sense of loneliness, seclusion, and despair. The little child sits alone on a park bench in a place that would normally be buzzing with people, movement, excitement, and action. Much of that activity would occur in the area that is black and white, which to me further emphasizes the isolation that this boy is showing. The child and his low hanging head are framed on an offset park bench between 2 prominent colored trees in the foreground.

Image by Anthony Zung Click for 800px version!

Hi All,

The minute I read about this contest, this above image immediately came to mind. I always remember this one, because I think it captures many emotions and memories.

It's the happiest day of her life
It's her day to shine and it shows
All eyes are on her
father/daughter walk down the isle

I think it says so much, but that's just me! :-)

If I don't win anything from this contest, I hope I at least get some honest critical feedback! I'm here to learn and not be coddled. :-) I get enough compliments from my family and friends! haha!

-Anthony

This photo was taken during my solo visit in Paris. It was just me, my backpack and a new camera I received on my birthday. I fell in love with both backpacking and photography almost immediately.

I was about to leave and decided to snapped my last photo when the couple walked in out of nowhere and decided to kiss! It turns out to be my favorite picture of the trip. I love the spontaneity of it. You just never know what life brings...

oops...let me try again. Vivian~

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oops...let me try again. Vivian~

http://picasaweb.goog...

This works... Thanks.

Name: Srinivas

I shot this kid playing at a recent piano recital. Of all the hundreds I shot, I loved the natural play of light on her hair,
without need for any grids or hair light, and her pensive expression as she focused on her music. I like it a lot in color but I love b&w. Hope you like it too!

Name: Thomas Snuggs

This is a photo of a friend of mine that was kind enough to model for me so I could practice shooting with a small studio setup in my garage (i.e. a backdrop and some strobes). It was a lot of fun for me as I tried many different setups, but this was my favorite photo of the session.





Note: Click on the X to go to a larger image

Mike,
I think this is by best shot of the year because of the unique setting - a 20 foot lathe in a machine shop, along with the quality of light and the contrast between the hard, cold machine and beautiful softness of the model with her lovely curls flowing over the imposing metal machine casting.
Regards,
John Lankes