Stolen Best Shots

So this is the third installation of my (name blatantly stolen from National Geographic) “Your Best Shot” contest, where YOU get to show off your best pics to the world.  The theme this time around was “Portraiture”, and I have to say the quality of the submissions was, to me, through the roof.

I whined the last two blog posts about my contests about how tough it is to pick a winner, and “why do I do this to myself”, and blah blah blah…so I’ll shut up already.  This time – like last – I picked from my heart, and ignored who shot the photo, or whether they had a professional watermark on their photo or an amateur date stamp.  What struck me artistically.  What struck me technically.  What spoke to me from a creative standpoint.  Above all, I think, did the image tell me a story about the person?  Did it evoke a reaction?

What I love about portraiture – whether staged or candid (I shoot a lot of both on a weekly basis) -  is that this world of portraiture has somehow converted an introverted, solitude-loving, die-hard landscape dude into a people-loving human sponge. Seriously, my wife thinks I’m running for mayor (don’t worry, Gordon, your job is safe).  But there’s something about people that’s infinite from a photography perspective.  You could have the same “scene” and photograph it a million different ways.  Different expressions.  Different people.  Different light.  Differing interpretations.  Love it.

So, enough with my spillage.  This is about you, the amazing people who frequent my Facebook group, and my blog, and took the time to submit images.  Images are meant to be shared.  To impact others.  These really impacted me.  I hope they impact you.  Click on each image for a larger view.  Feel these!

Final note:  if you don’t see your pic here, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t fantastic.  I seriously had 30 more in my “potential winner” folder that I had to ultimately drop.  Keep submitting.  Keep sharing.   Watch for the next one!

Grand Prize Winner

Pat Bukna / Sherry McKnight

What the photographer says:  “…I’d like to enter this photo for your current photo contest. It was taken by my partner Sherry McKnight at Peggy’s Cove, NS in the summer of 2008 using a Nikon Coolpix S210.  This old gal was busking in front of the iconic lighthouse.  There were tons of people around on a beautiful day but Sherry managed to capture something wonderful in this portrait that says so much about the east coast, it’s music, and unique people….”

What I say:  “…awesome.  View this one larger, first of all, by clicking on the photo.  There’s something special about this image despite the fact that it’s not technically perfect: the expression on her face, the totally randomness of her appearance and location. As well, testament to the fact that a photo can be a window to the soul without super-expensive gear.   A great environmental portrait that I would have been really proud to have created myself.

The Oh-So-Close

Photographer: Jeremy Bujold