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Your guide to the region's top events, mixed with some commentary about life, media, gossip and politics in Washington, DC.

Photo Contest: Polls Close Tomorrow!

Check out the photos that made it to the finals, and vote for your favorite in our color photo contest. Polls close Saturday, February 28, at midnight.

By Emily Leaman

NOTE: Reader voting is now closed. Scroll below to see the winner.  

We received 250 submissions in this month’s color-themed photo contest—everything from ducks and dogs to clowns, kids, and even a unicorn. Our intrepid team of judges assembled this afternoon to select five finalists.

Now it’s your turn to choose the winner. Scroll down to see our picks, then take the poll at the bottom to vote for your favorite. Reader voting will close February 28 at midnight. The photo with the most votes at that time will be declared the winner, and it’ll run in the April issue of The Washingtonian.

Remember, it’s only one vote per person, so choose wisely. And please, we ask that you play fair. If we see what seem to be irregularities in voting for a particular photograph, we reserve the right to disqualify it.

Good luck to our finalists, and happy voting, readers!

We selected only five finalists, but several other photos caught our eye. Click here to see the runners-up. You can also see all our past photo-contest winners here.

"Homeless" by Quentin Miles of Fort Belvoir


The brilliant colors in this picture blew us away. We also love the details captured on the man's skin and beard.

"Bed Jumper" by Elise Benjamin of Gaithersburg


The photographer is the subject of this photograph—she set the self-timer on her camera to get the shot. "It was hard to time the jump," she writes, "but I got it down after about five tries!"

"Lobby" by Chunae Zoh of Washington


We love when people see everyday objects in a new way—that's why this photo stuck out to us. Having just one of the keys in focus was a great touch.

"The Playground" by Victoria Ressy of Alexandria


This photo was taken at Island Creek Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia. We just love the colors and patterns.

"Green on Green on Green" by Max Cook of Washington


Between the wall, the dress, and the small patch of grass, could these colors be more perfect? "The timing was pure luck!" writes the photographer.

Vote for your favorite!

Have something to say about these photos? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below! 


Category Tags: Photo Contest, Photos


Comments


ur picture was rlly good, elise! congrats on making the TOP 5!!!! u r a great photographer :D

Posted by: marylandgal, May 10, 2010 01:22:40 PM

Congrats Quentin!!! You really deserve it. All the best

Posted by: M., Mar 13, 2009 12:26:23 PM

We know who really won the contest...

Posted by: n.f., Mar 02, 2009 12:33:07 PM

It is really colorful than the other ones. It nice to see a real colorful photo.

Posted by: awseme, Mar 01, 2009 06:49:45 PM

Homeless is the best pic it shows the true nature of a homeless person in the real world to me.

Posted by: awsme, Mar 01, 2009 06:46:06 PM

The homeless picture is colorful and funny the patch is the funny part. It says" In case of an accident give me a beer that funny". I hope you win.

Posted by: friend, Mar 01, 2009 06:42:13 PM

I like #1, "Homeless."

Posted by: Curt Winsor , Mar 01, 2009 04:38:37 PM

Play goraund is lovely and adorable

Posted by: aida, Feb 28, 2009 05:41:27 PM

"Homeless" by Quentin Miles all the way!

Posted by: Ken Insley, Feb 28, 2009 04:19:36 PM

voted for the playground pix

Posted by: librarian, Feb 28, 2009 08:12:46 AM

"Homeless" is the best, i love it.

Posted by: Hicham, Feb 25, 2009 12:27:06 AM

Great Job, I love the Homeless picture, its number 1.

Posted by: Irene, Feb 25, 2009 12:21:07 AM

hey that play ground pic is pretty neat but not better than the homeless pic come on man you gotta give the homeless man some props

Posted by: tabatha ellis, Feb 24, 2009 04:07:27 PM

very colorful i likey

Posted by: tabatha ellis, Feb 24, 2009 04:03:32 PM

ur picture was great homeless but the playground by far wins

Posted by: Gezz, Feb 24, 2009 09:24:12 AM

i hate the jump pic

Posted by: Frisky, Feb 24, 2009 09:22:17 AM

i love the playground picture it was absolutely beautiful

Posted by: Angie, Feb 24, 2009 09:20:14 AM

i love your pics hay i know you (lol)!!!!!

Posted by: tabatha ellis, Feb 24, 2009 08:29:10 AM

Homless man aint got no rent askin u for 30 cent

Posted by: Someone, Feb 24, 2009 07:23:18 AM

GREAT homeless Picture he looks HOMELESSSSS!!!

Posted by: Spongebob, Feb 24, 2009 06:55:13 AM

i love quetin photo

Posted by: kmiles, Feb 24, 2009 06:29:08 AM

All were great but "HOMELESS" wins it by far. Just makes you want to smile! Great colors. Even the reflection in the glasses! Superb!!

Posted by: Mark Levine, Feb 23, 2009 11:11:07 AM

"Homeless" all the way. I see that guy all the time by U St. Great shot!

Posted by: Michael Trott, Feb 23, 2009 10:12:33 AM

I really enjoyed all of the photographs. Each one has a unique quality. My favorite is The Playground. I love the strong patterns made by the red bars and the contrasting softer shape and green color of the boy’s clothing set off against the background of the blue sky. The boy looks lost in his own world. Brings back memories of childhood innocence.

Posted by: EKP, Feb 23, 2009 06:22:32 AM

Quentin I like your picture so much! You are so talented. Best of luck!

Posted by: Rosa , Feb 23, 2009 05:12:43 AM

Homeless is the best!

Posted by: Jane Stewart, Feb 22, 2009 12:29:02 PM

I love the playgrond picture. Beautiful!

Posted by: Nance G, Feb 22, 2009 10:48:54 AM

Homeless is an unmatchable colorful shot! can’t reflect the color them better. I just love it

Posted by: Gracia Saporito, Feb 21, 2009 05:30:33 AM

Homeless is an unmatchable colorful shot! can’t reflect the color theme better. I just love it!

Posted by: Gracia Saporito, Feb 21, 2009 05:28:14 AM

HOMELESS is # 1 whatever the results are

Posted by: Michael Rogers, Feb 21, 2009 01:04:04 AM

I like the Playground picture the best. It’s so natural and takes me back to the days when I could enjoy a day on the playground.

Posted by: Kim, Feb 20, 2009 06:05:19 PM

I would like to praise the exceptional perception of the HOMELESS photogtapher.Perfect shot indeed!

Posted by: Tina M., Feb 20, 2009 05:14:45 AM

You are the best Quentin! Keep up the great work and show us more of your creativity...

Posted by: Ruth G., Feb 20, 2009 12:13:20 AM

You are the best Quentin! Keep up the good work and show us more of your creativity...

Posted by: Ruth G., Feb 19, 2009 11:45:35 PM

love your photo...vibrancy of colors contrasted with the sky and the child "in action"...well done
arline dell

Posted by: vicki ressy, Feb 19, 2009 01:58:53 PM

The Homeless picture is the best by far. No comparison needed. An eye-catching carnival of colors! Great job Mr. Miles...

Posted by: Edward Roston, Feb 19, 2009 11:22:48 AM

"The Playground" by Victoria Ressy of Alexandria is an excellent photo. The compositions of colors and graphics stand out in perfect proportion and the boy in complete innocence centers the picture beautifuuly.

Posted by: Jayashri Sareen, Feb 19, 2009 09:41:41 AM

The irony that the " HOMLESS "photo brings is quite amazing. The way the photographer was able to take the subject matter and put him an uplifting perspective even though his life circumstance could be viewed as dull and gloomy. The bright colors are very vibrant and hold true to the contest requirements. Taking a closer look at the photo, one can observe the three pair of glass he is wearing and wonder if he still sees his future so bright that it take 3 pair to aid in him viewing the GREAT future to come. Once again if one where to observe the 3 hats they could be viewed as the protection from more things the world could throw at him .. But yet he still smile in his circumstance... yes BRIGHT AND VIBRANT...with a SMILE looking forward to the thing to come. Humble comments on a great photo.

Posted by: T.G.B.T.G, Feb 19, 2009 09:12:29 AM

The photo of the young boy is a captiva-
ting composition. We see slanting vertical
and diagonal patterns of thin, bright-red
bars in strong contrast to the wider,fully vertical figure of the boy, dressed in
green. He stands on the right,small hori-
zontal lines outlining his fingers,fully
balancing the brilliant interplay of the
bars on the left. All of this drama plays
against the simplicity of the blue sky.
An excellent photo!

Posted by: b.j.g., Feb 19, 2009 07:58:21 AM

Bellissima, fantastica....Bravissimo Quentin.

Posted by: GIORGINO, Feb 19, 2009 07:57:36 AM

"The Playground" is great, I love the graphics of the bars and the primary colors, I wish I was on "The Playground"

Posted by: Gloria Arnold, Feb 19, 2009 07:51:45 AM

I think the Playground is great, such a natural pose, and artistic!

Posted by: S.H. Azarian, Feb 19, 2009 07:28:19 AM

Here is an outstanding photo taken by a pro. "Homeless" is a mixture of brightness and irony... Best of luck for this talented photographer!

Posted by: Rhea B., Feb 19, 2009 06:56:17 AM

Quentin, the photo is beautiful.Great job! I think this is a WINNER!!!

Posted by: Donna Miles, Feb 18, 2009 09:18:00 PM

What a great job Quentin!Love the colors. Keep up the GOOD WORK!!!!!

Posted by: Oswald Miles, Feb 18, 2009 09:11:23 PM

Playground picture is by far the best.

Posted by: Mike, Feb 18, 2009 06:51:14 PM

"Homeless" is brilliant-captures the spirit of this man!

Posted by: Redstone, Feb 18, 2009 06:35:25 PM

Hey Quention,

The picture of the homeless guy is great. Keep up the good work!!! Your classmate ( Class of 89)

Donna Mills

Posted by: Donna Mills Maye, Feb 18, 2009 04:42:52 PM

Green on green is so unique - love the composition!

Posted by: Betty Lakes, Feb 18, 2009 03:18:21 PM

Why do I always find myself liking some of the runner-ups better than some of the finalists for fitting the theme?

Posted by: Fred, Feb 18, 2009 02:58:20 PM

Good Job Quentin. love the Homeless Pic it reminds me of a person I know love the colors and details.Keep up you are a pro

Posted by: Jack Oroyster, Feb 18, 2009 01:49:27 PM

The Homeless picture is just AWESOME with these striking colors and expressive features!!! It is Number 1 unwaveringly...

Posted by: Maryse, Feb 18, 2009 12:19:33 PM

"HOMELESS" is miles beautiful...You are so talented Quentin.Keep on photographing like waw waw wawwww....

Posted by: Amal ABBARA, Feb 18, 2009 12:07:02 PM

I like Lobby best because it’s such a great observation...a very good selection of finalists this month!

Posted by: Jeff, Feb 18, 2009 10:50:50 AM

All great pictures. I question the professionalism of the judges, however.

Posted by: Will, Feb 18, 2009 08:52:46 AM

"Bed Jumper" by Elise Benjamin is flat and dull. I hardly see how it captures "color" like the rest of your finalist and runners-up.

Posted by: Disappointed, Feb 18, 2009 08:45:49 AM

The Homeless photo is "Out of this world" I agree with all the other comments about this photo.#1 photo.

Posted by: Kharisma Ariel, Feb 18, 2009 08:33:17 AM

oh man I love all of these, it was hard to pick a favorite!

Posted by: AJ, Feb 18, 2009 08:33:14 AM

Wait to go Quentin! His expression juxtaposed with the "I am an Alcoholic" button is priceless. And wow, he’s wearing three pairs of glasses, three hats, and what a nice collar! I think this one, by far, grasps the "color" theme. Great capture. -- Madelyn Troyanek

Posted by: MadPhotog, Feb 18, 2009 08:27:02 AM

Bed Jumper by Elise Benjamin
I’m in a pastel mood. Over saturation is so yesteryear IMHO!

Posted by: mel darwin, Feb 18, 2009 08:12:47 AM

The Homeless photo has "Great!" contrast in what is going on in the world today. It shows that their is colors of life in everone!!!

Posted by: Greg Privette, Feb 18, 2009 08:07:38 AM

Love the picture from the playground. The patterns/color from the gym/sky are truly striking! Awesome picture.

Posted by: Jessica Chun, Feb 18, 2009 07:37:31 AM

I love the Homeless picture. The contrast between the man’s state in life and the color of his clothes is striking.

Posted by: Brittany, Feb 18, 2009 07:33:22 AM

That picture "Homeless" is GREAT! The color is brilliant and the detail is magnificient! Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Oroyster, Jr, Feb 18, 2009 07:31:40 AM

I just wanted to compliment the photographer that took the Homeless picture.The colors are great and the picture stands out!!!

Posted by: Barbara Wood, Feb 18, 2009 07:21:57 AM

This Homeless photo is great!I Love the details!The colors are so real!!!!

Posted by: Lisa Stewart, Feb 18, 2009 07:06:04 AM

Rainbow Homeless in so many ways IS DC, the colors are brilliant, and they represent the diversity of DC. Great shot!

Posted by: DennisYoungPhotography.com, Feb 18, 2009 06:00:56 AM

Great photo, this guy should be a pro!

Posted by: Lori Gove, Feb 18, 2009 12:47:32 AM

I love the graphic feel of this photograph, the red horizontal lines that crisscross against the blue sky is striking. It reminds me of when I was a kid running around on the playground.

Posted by: M. Andrews, Feb 17, 2009 09:09:00 PM

Great"Homeless" photo. So DC and fits the theme with its various colors.Love it!

Posted by: Almeda W., Feb 17, 2009 07:08:01 PM

Great Job...Pictures tell the whole story!

Posted by: OJ, Feb 17, 2009 07:00:14 PM

GREAT JOB.....PICTURES TELL THE WHOLE STORY!

Posted by: OJ, Feb 17, 2009 06:57:34 PM

The Homeless picture is outstanding. If you wanted colors you picked the right one.This is your winning photo. I Love it!

Posted by: Amy Wilson, Feb 17, 2009 06:57:32 PM

This is a great picture, keep up the good work!!!

Posted by: Samantha Clemons, Feb 17, 2009 06:50:58 PM

This is the best picture if you are looking for detailed color and in the moment shots. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Natalie Miles, Feb 17, 2009 06:49:47 PM

Love this picture! Beautiful and Brilliant!

Posted by: Mary V.V., Feb 17, 2009 06:33:27 PM

Green is good! Love this shot.

Posted by: BWKP, Feb 17, 2009 04:51:20 PM

I absolutely love the shot"Homeless"! Not only does it capture the essence of the theme of this month’s competition but the detail in the shot is amazing and on point!

Posted by: AKG Photography, Feb 17, 2009 04:42:37 PM

Green it is, an amazing composition!

Posted by: Ed Henry, Feb 17, 2009 02:56:43 PM

That is so DC! Excellent timing and a great image!

Posted by: LeRoy Baker, Feb 17, 2009 02:55:34 PM

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