The winning "Ripples" photos

While the second place winner is beautiful, it doesn't really reflect the theme, don't you think? The ripples aren't in the water.

But they were formed by wave action of the water. Close enough.

There have been many of these Raw contests where the theme has been "stretched" to accommodate the tastes of the contest judges. Which is why I don't enter them anymore. Why have a theme if it is going to be subverted to suit the judges' tastes?

Ah, Rick, I prefer to think of it as flexibility, not subversion. If there is no hard and fast rule specified -- such as August's requirement that entries be taken this month -- I like to let both the photographers and judges have a bit of leeway in interpreting the theme, as long as they don't go crazy. It allows for more creativity, I think, and ends up exposing us all to terrific images such as the Second Place finisher.

I am a little confused about the rules of the contest. Shouldn't the participants be amateurs? I love the 2nd place winner's photo, but when checking out his Flickr account and searching for his work on the internet, it became clear that he is not an amateur => http://www.visionandimagination.com/
Shouldn't there be some checking by the judges as to the validity of the entry?

These are all stunning.

Outstanding, congrats to the winners.

The first two photos are gorgeous, but the third place winner shows how subjective this process is. I mean, look at it ! Give me a break.

Hi, Mizz B ... Our criteria for someone to be considered a pro is that they derive more than half their income from photography. I emailed back and forth with the 2nd place finisher last March because of the high quality of his photos. He works full-time as a QA manager for a manufacturing company that produces medical devices.

Yes, he sells his photos -- lots of amateurs do -- but he says the revenue from his photos is less than 3% of his total income. He's clearly doing well, getting a handful of portraiture, real estate, and product jobs. Good for him. Who knows -- maybe it will lead to a new career.

Until then, he's still considered an amateur, and hopefully his photos -- as well as those of others -- can inspire the rest of us to strive to match his talent!

I think I agree with the top 2 although waterfalls are a little un-original, I mean c'mon, have you ever seen a bad pic of a waterfall...I would have had #2 as my favorite....Number 3 doesn't do much for me...actually, abstract photography never did much for me...I guess I could crop 80% of my unusable photos and make decent abstracts....but what I REALLY don't get is some of the top 10...I mean a frog???? I thought the theme was water in MOTION...

My God, what a bunch of whiners! It's always up to the judges. Contests and art exhibitions are always subjective when it comes to judging. There is no hard and fast rule. Come on folks, get a life. PS - nice photos, well done to all.

I don't think that anyone was under the impression that the photo had to be a picture of water with ripples in it. Come on!

First place - Hooray for Iceland!

(and let's calm down a bit with the whining - no one's making a living off the prizes in this contest.)

the rules to define amateur are VERY fuzzy. If someone makes minimum wage, works part time, or is a stay at home parent, and has the same portfolio of work and income as someone who makes 6 figures, it would be very easy for the first person to be a "professional" and the second to be an amateur even, with the same amount to time put into photography and same revenue generated. Something in there seems to be designed to let the rich get richer (even if by $100 or $50 bucks).

For those who criticize #3, you do not understand art. Because YOU don't like it doesn't make it bad. It means it doesn't suit YOU. Different judges would vote differently as in all contests. Art is subjective. There is no bad art ... except maybe for Dogs Playing Poker or Velvet Elvis! ;-)

... and yes, I love #3 and no ... I am not the artist nor do I know him.

Great job, everybody - you're all truly talented!

The second place photo is gorgeous but this seems like an HDR photo. Obviously this was post processed to the max.

Hi all...my name is Garry, the 2nd place winner of this contest.

First of all, congratulations to all who have submitted their work. You are all winners because you take part in competitions and this will take you to the next level, gives you inspiration, and raises your creativity even more.

Since there seem to be some doubt about my status as an amateur I would like to explain. As Teresa pointed out, we had that conversation earlier this year. Since then, I have also become the victim of the recession and was laid off in June09. I was lucky to find some contract work in manufacturing again and work now 3 days per week in a QA role.

Having 2 days off allows me to get around and expand my portfolio. I am aiming to become a Pro and stretch my fingers into other areas of photography such as Lifestyle, Family Portraits, Real Estate etc. For some work I am getting paid and others are for friends or through participation in club activities. I wish I would make more money with photography because at the moment it is an investment for me. The earnings barely cover the expenditures, let alone the time involvement.

I appreciate every comment and see them as compliments.

Many thanks all
Garry

I'm sorry, but this is one of the most unfair "amateur" photography competitions I have ever witnessed, and entered. In fact, I regret entering, and I no longer plan to participate after viewing this past month's winners.

I think it's extremely rude and disrespectful of experienced photographers, regardless of how much income they make and how "amateur" they may be, to enter competitions that do not pose a challenge to them. It ruins the fun for those who actually take the time to participate in these competitions as hobby photographers, and completely distorts the competitive nature of the contest itself-- it is no longer a contest when everyone doesn't have a fair shot.

The judges should be embarrassed, and take these concerns into consideration for the sake of actual amateur photographers across New England who still want to participate, but whose confidence has been sorely hurt.

You must be new to the site, Max. Our contest winners have run the gamut of age, experience, and skill, including a young boy who won one of the top prizes in June. All skill levels are welcome here; those who are very talented help to make the rest of us better.

I am not new to your site, and I feel that there is a grave difference between being a talented photographer and being a talented Photoshop editor.

Nah, Photoshop can't endow a photographer with talent and skill. The photo has to have good bones first, the result of the photographer having a good eye for composition, lighting, storytelling, etc.

As the judge, I appreciate all the comments here. Please note, we do not know anything about the person behind the photo until the final results are known so I couldn't tell you whether they were experienced photographers with top quality equipment or a parent taking a fabulous photo of his/her children. I encourage everyone to keep submitting and learning from the comments all the judges make about how to improve your photos and also why they chose the winners.

As for the comments about #2 being Photoshopped or an HDR, I am sure it is not. The photographer knows how to use the "magic" hour - 30 minutes before sunset/sunrise to 30 minutes after - to his advantage. I have taken many a night photo and have achieved similar results just by taking the photo at the right time. I encourage others to get their tripods out, and go out at those times to a place you love. You will be amazed at your results.

Wow, what a bunch of complainers. Last month it was complaining about people using D300s and this month it’s about what kind of ripples they had to be and whether or not Garry is a pro. Just because someone has a website and sells a couple of prints does not make them a pro. Max makes it sound like photogs from SI and Vogue are entering these contests to boost their own egos. It’s people like Garry and the other winners that help us be better photographers. I admire your patience Teresa.

"It is a masterfully composed and exposed image that just radiates the pure power of water."

I disagree. The water looks like a soft mist. I also don't see how it could possibly qualify for a 'Ripple' contest.