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July Photo Contest: Two Times the Fun

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Washingtonian.com’s monthly photo contest turns one year old this month. We’re celebrating with two contests in July.

By Emily Leaman   Published Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Comments

"Grad gets Air," in my opinion, is the best of them all. That is ONE moment that cannot be recreated. The skateboarded can jump again, the Honor Guard performs every day, the city at night looks that way every night ect. The graduation can be recreated, but not the actual real event. The other photographs are without a doubt skillful and great pictures, I will not try and take that away from them. However the saying goes a picuter is worth 1000 words, the "Grad" picture is worth 1001.

Posted by: Jonny, Jul 31, 2009 11:50:42 PM

I want to thank the Washingtonian Magazine for putting this contest on. I would also like to compliment the other photographers on their great photos. I think all were spectacular. I agree with Zach and David about the comments. It really is a shame that people have to say such things, it takes away from what should have been a fun contest.

Posted by: Stefan Ventura, Jul 31, 2009 03:16:41 PM

Congrats to the winner and thanks to any and all that voted for me.

Posted by: Brian Smith, Jul 31, 2009 07:02:08 AM

I am sad to see such inappropriate comments linked to this wonderful contest. These are all excellent photos, and deserve our respect. The photographers are all talented, and it is shameful for some immature comments to creep into a good thing.

Vote for what feels best in your heart, but respect all these blooming artists. That is the way we all should behave.

Posted by: David Murray, Jul 30, 2009 08:31:59 PM

That’s what happens when you send this link out randomly to get people to vote for you. Ignorant people start writing absurd comments.

Personally, I don’t think it’s fair to put these pictures up against each other if they won different categories.

Posted by: BEL, Jul 30, 2009 07:37:19 PM

From this point on, ignore ANY comments supporting my shot. This is getting ridiculous. I have no idea where that last one came from.

Once again, I sincerly apologize for whoever that may have been.

Posted by: Zachg, Jul 30, 2009 06:46:56 PM

My next vote is for comment moderation.

Posted by: Greg, Jul 30, 2009 06:39:21 PM

Seriously, this picture of me isn’t flattering. Don’t vote for my picture, I don’t want it spreading around and ruining my reputation.

Posted by: Jumping Graduate, Jul 30, 2009 05:57:08 PM

I never said the photograph of the skateboarder wasn’t a photograph of excellence, only that my feeling was that a spontaneous moment is more compelling than a planned shoot. And, the themes in the monthly contests were indeed the themes that got the photo to this place (there is no theme for THIS July’s contest.) There is no doubt that it is an excellent photograph, and a very cool image. My last sentence in my previous post, below, was that the grad pic is a spontaneous moment/memory AND an excellent photograph. AND refers to the skater photo, meaning is it ALSO is excellent. I am amazed that I am getting hate mail from some self appointed skater photo support squadsmen. Lighten up! Your photographer of choice has much more class than you do - Zach, you are classy, thanks for quelling the hostilities. My opinions are just that; not meant to be disparaging, disparaging: indeed, I think all the photographers are in a special class - art forms -each one - to inspire us all.
Have a good contest everyone.
And Troy, grow up, take a valium, and find something productive to do.

Posted by: barry, Jul 30, 2009 05:00:23 PM

This was a tough one. I had to vote for the skateboard photo though. because it’s black and white. Like me.

Posted by: Barack, Jul 30, 2009 03:43:10 PM

This was a tough one, I had to go with the skateboard photo though. Because it’s black and white. Like me.

Posted by: Barack Obama, Jul 30, 2009 03:38:05 PM

I’d like to apologize on behalf of the previous comments. That’s not the way I want to win this. It shouldn’t come down to personal blows in either direction.

Mr. Ventura, good luck.

Posted by: ZachG, Jul 30, 2009 03:29:51 PM

Love the Flaming Lips one! Very cool!

Posted by: Carmen, Jul 30, 2009 03:20:25 PM

Zach Gibson, please control your supporters. That is HIGHLY inappropriate.

Posted by: Mags, Jul 30, 2009 03:17:40 PM

The one of the grad jumping sucks. Theres nothing special about it. No showmanship of his photography skill. Just a timed photograph. no composiition or any other aspect of aesthetic value.
People are just voting for it because it’s first they see, which is bullshit. Every other photo in this contest is better than that one.
I saw the skateboard one is the best though.

Posted by: Dalton, Jul 30, 2009 02:34:17 PM

Don’t see anything in the contest description that says it’s *not* about excellence in photography. In fact, excellence in photography is the point of the contest since the description clearly states "the best of the best". There’s no mention of the competition only being about catching a theme or memory. All of these photos are worthy. Please don’t disparage others just to promote your favorite.

Posted by: Dan, Jul 30, 2009 12:11:05 PM

The photographer never said it took 50 tries to get this one image. It was part of a larger shoot experimenting with off camera flash where there were other locations, angles and lighting. I would bet the grad photographer photographed other grads that didn’t jump in the air before and after making that image. Same difference.

Posted by: Greg, Jul 30, 2009 12:05:33 PM

I like the spontanity of the graduate much better than I do the staged photo.

Posted by: Chip Pocock , Jul 30, 2009 12:00:03 PM

The skateboard picture is cool but if it really did take the photographer like 50 times to shoot it, then it lost it’s appeal to me. I do agree that it’s hard to judge this contest because there are soo many different aspects you have to look at. Navy grad all the way!

Posted by: Carl Martyn, Jul 30, 2009 11:28:38 AM

The grad picture is no doubt a nice image but you see this kind of photograph every year during graduation season. The skateboarder image required much more skill on the part of the photographer including the use of off camera flash. It’s not a grab shot, there was planning, fore-thought and execution. It’s not a case of simply being in the right place at the right time. It’s a really nice image from a kid who was in the 11th grade when he made it. Hardly a professional shoot. When it was originally posted the haters tried to say it was too perfect and claimed the shadow was a fake created in photoshop. Simply not true. Just outstanding execution, lighting and compostion.

Posted by: Greg, Jul 30, 2009 11:21:33 AM

the photo of the grad is a once in a lifetime event, with a once in a million chance of taking the photo, by a father that also happens to enjoy photography. There is a fledgling adult on the cusp of flying military aircraft, or even becoming "top gun" caliber (I think he’ll do that)in the enthusiasm of getting out of the adadamy. The skateboarder’s photgrapher took 50 or 60 tries, by his own story, so technically it was a near professional shoot, with technical effort and expertise to capture a moment in time that was predestined, and bound to happen, if it took a million tries? The photo contest is not about excellence in photography, but about excellence in catching a theme or memory. The skateboarder is concentrating, yeah, so he doesn’t have to do it again maybe? That is not a memory, it is a photograph only. The grad is a memory, and a photgraph of excellence.

Posted by: barry, Jul 30, 2009 09:39:27 AM

the skateboard photo is amazing!!! what a moment!

I do agree that having one photo featured seems a bit skewed.

Posted by: ashley B., Jul 30, 2009 07:57:29 AM

Grad Gets Air says so much -- the elation of accomplishment so vigorously expressed in the face and body language of the grad and the pride and memory of the same feeling on the faces of the senior officers.

Posted by: Charlie, Jul 29, 2009 06:53:18 AM

The skateboard picture is outstanding. Great detail and what a sensational way to capture the image of the subject in motion.

Posted by: Kim, Jul 28, 2009 07:02:53 PM

The skateboarding photo is simply amazing. The photographer caught a time where the skateboarder is solely thinking of it. Great job!

And I agree, please changed the featured photo so others will have a fair chance.

Posted by: Steven, Jul 28, 2009 02:28:35 AM

I’m pretty sure all of them capture a moment...therefore all "superb" in their own way. Which is why it is hard to determine a winner. They all won different categories.

My son is a Navy grad and I wish more than anything I had a picture like Stefan Ventura’s!

Congratulations to everyone for having their photo recognized. May the best picture win!

Posted by: Kendra Dessi, Jul 26, 2009 10:16:28 AM

All the photos are wonderful but the skateboard photo captures a moment and is technically superb. Simply amazing.

Posted by: mary, Jul 25, 2009 07:04:40 PM

I believe the grad was caught at peek action. That is a one chance/once in a lifetime kind of picture. You have my vote!

Posted by: Mags, Jul 25, 2009 12:41:13 PM

The skate board is one of the best, simply because the photographer caught peek action, and has used EVERY bit of the frame to create the image. It is the cleanest, of al the images. There are so many wonderful photos here, but none are as well executed technically , even as the subject is at the decisive moment, with a clean back drop.

Posted by: David Murray, Jul 17, 2009 09:49:10 PM

Is there a way to rotate pictures so that other pictures are the "feature" picture...does not seem fair that the first picture is always the one highlighted...

Posted by: DC, Jul 15, 2009 06:47:15 PM

All the photos are great but to me there is one that stands out. I look at the Navy Grad and I see an impish young boy thrilled by his accomplishment. Then I look deeper and I see the horns of a young man that you better not cross. Simple photo yet complex. Congrats to the photographer.

Posted by: Brad Arbuckle, Jul 08, 2009 10:46:50 AM

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