Thank you to all the photographers that shared their best photos showing sun flares in this photo contest!

This was such a fun contest to judge!  First, all of the finalists are very worthy! Such an impressive display of talent! In the end, I decided upon a few guidelines to help me select a winner and honorable mentions among so many terrific entries. I decided to really focus first and foremost on the flare element: Did it feel realistic? Was it an attractive addition? Did it help to focus the viewers attention to something? Was its placement enhancing to the overall composition?

 

People’s Choice – Photo by 800ISO

“I love the low light and endless expanse of this image. It feels lush and well-developed. The flare leads my eye to the structure and creek details and works well as a compositional element.” – Jessica Drossin

 

Grand Jury Winner – Photo by wolongshan

“I love the vertically oriented composition in this shot. The gradated tones, cool to warm, leading the eye to the dynamic flare is very nicely done. I really enjoy how the artist has provided both detail and softness in this image, and the monolithic rock feels imbued with some sort of prehistoric magic. The reflection is also very nice, echoing the drama at the top of the image.” – Jessica Drossin

 

Runner Up – Photo by gerrygroeber

“I adore the sun-drenched details in this shot. The flare works wonderfully compositionally to add visual interest to an area that would otherwise be lackluster in comparison to the cloud and landscape details on the right.” – Jessica Drossin

 

Runner Up – Photo by YuliyVasilev

“A perfectly named photo, the gorgeously varied warm tones, interrupted by a path seemingly leading the viewer right into the scene — and towards the flare — works wonderfully” – Jessica Drossin

 

Runner Up – Photo by kathykuhn100

“What a spectacular flare! The subtle spectrum of color, the far-reaching arms of the flare leading us into different areas of the photo, and the way it is compositionally positioned all works flawlessly.” – Jessica Drossin

 

Runner Up – Photo by francescovaninetti

“I really liked the composition in this shot and how the structure and the flare balance each other on opposite ends of the vibrant field. The soft, warm flare works beautifully with the backlit lavender plant details.” – Jessica Drossin

 

Amateur Winner – Photo by JeremyMcG

“I love the beautiful flare and the way the hills progressively lighten in the distance with the haze. The center composition works well and draws me into the scene.” – Jessica Drossin

  

Congratulations to the Grand Jury, Amateur and People’s Choice Winner, who will receive respectively a $200, $100 and $50 Gift Coupon towards any product in my store!

A resolution of mine this year is that in addition to showing my regular business/work portraits, I’m also going to attempt to do a 365 of my “real life” images as well… I want to challenge myself to create good portraits with no special props, locations or photoshopping.

When I started this on Jan. 1, some friends and followers asked if they too could join in and I thought it would be fun. The one basic rule is it’s a photograph a day, describing your life, taken with a camera phone.

I’m not going to feel like a failure if I don’t get all 365 and you shouldn’t either. I think it would be a huge win just to document ALMOST everyday for a year. That would be about a 300 day improvement over last year so I figure it’s still a huge step in the right direction!

 

Feb. 5, 2015

Every pic I take of these two is like a game of “caption this”… True characters!! 36/365

Feb. 8, 2015

Night Reading.
This would have been a better shot in my mind had my boy not been talking, but I am blessed with boys who express themselves constantly. I hope that continues as we move into their teenage years. 38/365.

Feb. 10, 2015

My husband checking out a portrait. I love visiting this store. 40/365

Feb. 11, 2015

I’m a little behind on my iPhone 365 project, and frankly, that’s largely due to baseball. Heck, I’m sitting at a baseball practice as I type this. Lately, if I’m not shooting or editing, I’m at a practice or game. Let me take a second to compliment the people who volunteer their time to make it possible for kids to experience extra-curricular activities: You are providing a huge community service and making a real difference in kid’s lives. Thank you! ️(ps… This ball literally came RIGHT at my camera and I called it quits after this pic, lol!!!) 41/365

#JD 365 Image Pool Spotlights

In addition to my own 365 project, I want to include some lovely moments from others “playing along” and adding their work to the community under the hashtag #JD365Project. Please be sure to give them some love and consider adding YOUR best “everyday” images captured with your camera phone (only) to our image pool. It’s NEVER too late to join.

© Image from Judith Krasinski, to be followed at: instagram.com/yellowlabrador100

© Image from Celena Green, to be followed at: instagram.com/celenadanielle

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© Image from Siw Aina Strømøy, to be followed at: instagram.com/siwainastromoy

© Image from Nia Hobbs, to be followed at: instagram.com/nshots

© Image from Karine Gilloppé Briend, to be followed at: instagram.com/karinegillopp

A resolution of mine this year is that in addition to showing my regular business/work portraits, I’m also going to attempt to do a 365 of my “real life” images as well… I want to challenge myself to create good portraits with no special props, locations or photoshopping.

When I started this on Jan. 1, some friends and followers asked if they too could join in and I thought it would be fun. The one basic rule is it’s a photograph a day, describing your life, taken with a camera phone.

I’m not going to feel like a failure if I don’t get all 365 and you shouldn’t either. I think it would be a huge win just to document ALMOST everyday for a year. That would be about a 300 day improvement over last year so I figure it’s still a huge step in the right direction!

 

Jan. 29, 2015

It was all fun and games until his big brother said he wasn’t tough. 🙁 29/365

Jan. 30, 2015

Sisters. One always wants to cuddle, one is always looking for more food. 30/365

Jan. 31, 2015

Dressing up in catcher’s gear. He asked me to take photos of him in full gear and tweet it to AJ Ellis. 31/365

Feb. 3, 2015

Snuggling with the Chiweenie. 34/365

Feb. 4, 2015

In the waiting room… Back again for a long day at the dentist. 35/365

#JD 365 Image Pool Spotlights

In addition to my own 365 project, I want to include some lovely moments from others “playing along” and adding their work to the community under the hashtag #JD365Project. Please be sure to give them some love and consider adding YOUR best “everyday” images captured with your camera phone (only) to our image pool. It’s NEVER too late to join.

© Image from Karen Nelson, to be followed at: instagram.com/karendnelson2

© Image from September, to be followed at: instagram.com/september.dawn

© Image from Cynthia Pixley, to be followed at: instagram.com/pixels_by_pixley

© Image from Christine Blaylock, to be followed at: instagram.com/christineblaylock

© Image from Dawn Giannone, to be followed at: instagram.com/alwayssnapping

A resolution of mine this year is that in addition to showing my regular business/work portraits, I’m also going to attempt to do a 365 of my “real life” images as well… I want to challenge myself to create good portraits with no special props, locations or photoshopping.

When I started this on Jan. 1, some friends and followers asked if they too could join in and I thought it would be fun. The one basic rule is it’s a photograph a day, describing your life, taken with a camera phone.

I’m not going to feel like a failure if I don’t get all 365 and you shouldn’t either. I think it would be a huge win just to document ALMOST everyday for a year. That would be about a 300 day improvement over last year so I figure it’s still a huge step in the right direction!

 

Jan. 22, 2015

I’m sorry Buddy, you have many gifts, but good teeth were not one of them. I wish we were almost done, but there is still a long road ahead :(. 22/365

Jan. 23, 2015

Not the best shot because I had to be super-sneaky to get this, so my options were limited, but I had to document my kid and his friend walking to school together. They walk two blocks together every day up and down the hill to middle school. They share no classes but ever since my son met her last year at science camp (her family had just moved here from Peru) he has wanted to be around her, going as far as to wake up early in the morning to try to learn Spanish. He won’t tell me what they talk about in their walks to and from school, but he looks forward to them. 23/365

Jan. 24, 2015

Just a stylized #iphone portrait of my youngest. I am a big fan of Chuck Close, something about this straight forward approach reminds me of him (but not as good!!) #24/365

Jan. 25, 2015

Took the kids out for a licensing shoot tonight. Gorgeous night! This is just an #iphone snap at the end. 25/365

Jan. 26, 2015

I was at Lowes the other day buying incredibly overpriced light bulbs for a ceiling fan fixture (!!!) when my husband spotted this desk lamp that works on batteries and projects natural light… It folds up on an arm, so I thought maybe this could be a sort of a poor man’s ice light…So I’m trying it out. My oldest is less than impressed, but I thought it might be something worth pursuing in the future since I hate the cameras flash. 26/365

Jan. 27, 2015

Okay, I know, totally random pic in the #jd365project BUT I had to document the Chiweenie channeling her inner Bruce Lee in her morning wrestle sessions with her sister. She makes these noises straight out of a classic Kung Fu film. She is awesome. 27/365

#JD 365 Image Pool Spotlights

In addition to my own 365 project, I want to include some lovely moments from others “playing along” and adding their work to the community under the hashtag #JD365Project. Please be sure to give them some love and consider adding YOUR best “everyday” images captured with your camera phone (only) to our image pool. It’s NEVER too late to join.

© Image from Kalliefrances, to be followed at: instagram.com/kalliefrances

© Image from jodytheangel, to be followed at: instagram.com/jodytheangel

© Image from Jessica, to be followed at: instagram.com/raneydayphotography

© Image from Tonya Freed, to be followed at: instagram.com/tobfreed

© Image from Joyce, to be followed at: instagram.com/sjois71

A resolution of mine this year is that in addition to showing my regular business/work portraits, I’m also going to attempt to do a 365 of my “real life” images as well… I want to challenge myself to create good portraits with no special props, locations or photoshopping.

When I started this on Jan. 1, some friends and followers asked if they too could join in and I thought it would be fun. The one basic rule is it’s a photograph a day, describing your life, taken with a camera phone.

I’m not going to feel like a failure if I don’t get all 365 and you shouldn’t either. I think it would be a huge win just to document ALMOST everyday for a year. That would be about a 300 day improvement over last year so I figure it’s still a huge step in the right direction!

 

Jan. 15, 2015

We’re at the dentist. For the third of many visits scheduled. Today is a little intense, we’re dealing with a nerve that was infected. I’m grateful that his dentist is gentle and gifted with being able to distract kids. He’s anxious, I’m nervous, and all good thoughts are much appreciated as we deal with the aftermath of the fall and his hyper calcification issues. 15/365

Jan. 16, 2015

Can you spot the Chiweenie in this picture?
I was talking on the phone, thinking I was alone, when out of the corner of my eye I spotted my favorite little piddler, ensconced in Logan’s bed, hidden among his stuffed animals. She is NOT trusted to be in Logan’s room alone so she was trying to keep a very low profile and almost succeeded! 16/365

Jan. 19, 2015

And here is why we don’t go out for Jamba Juice more often as a family…. We’d just gotten our juice, and my kid said, “can you hold this?” Then proceeded to do a pitching wind up and knocking the juice right out of my hand… Thank goodness the guys working there played ball and have some empathy, lol. 19/365

Jan. 21, 2015

Playing with toy cars before school. 21/365

#JD 365 Image Pool Spotlights

In addition to my own 365 project, I want to include some lovely moments from others “playing along” and adding their work to the community under the hashtag #JD365Project. Please be sure to give them some love and consider adding YOUR best “everyday” images captured with your camera phone (only) to our image pool. It’s NEVER too late to join.

© Image from Staci Noel, to be followed at: instagram.com/stacinoelphotography

© Image from Claudia, to be followed at: instagram.com/cosibella

© Image from Carolina, to be followed at: instagram.com/carolinathruviewfinder

© Image from karinaacker, to be followed at: instagram.com/karinaacker

© Image from Erik Howard, to be followed at: instagram.com/erikhoward

© Image from Larisa Durbin, to be followed at: instagram.com/larisadurbin

© Image from Kathy Ledbetter, to be followed at: instagram.com/kg.ledbetter.photo

© Image from Beth Rhodes Williams, to be followed at: instagram.com/bethrhodeswilliams

© Image from paulbarson, to be followed at: instagram.com/paulbarson

© Image from Nat Windsor, to be followed at: instagram.com/natwindsorphoto

A resolution of mine this year is that in addition to showing my regular business/work portraits, I’m also going to attempt to do a 365 of my “real life” images as well… I want to challenge myself to create good portraits with no special props, locations or photoshopping.

When I started this on Jan. 1, some friends and followers asked if they too could join in and I thought it would be fun. The one basic rule is it’s a photograph a day, describing your life, taken with a camera phone.

I’m not going to feel like a failure if I don’t get all 365 and you shouldn’t either. I think it would be a huge win just to document ALMOST everyday for a year. That would be about a 300 day improvement over last year so I figure it’s still a huge step in the right direction!

 

Jan. 8, 2015

My #Chiweenie contemplates the great questions of our age… Seriously though, what did we ever do without this girl? 8/365

Jan. 9, 2015

Whew! Almost forgot to post to the 365 but my shot today of the incredibly sweet and pretty Claire in her usual happy place (under the couch) as I edit, saved me! 9/365

Jan. 10, 2015

Sick Day. I wonder if he finally got what’s been going around? At least we have dogs to cuddle on a cold and rainy day. 10/365

Jan. 11, 2015

Morning handstand in my bedroom. 11/365

Jan. 12, 2015

The boys randomly decided that today is Lucy’s birthday. In truth, we have no idea as she is a rescue dog. She celebrated this milestone by getting extra treats, enjoying an off leash run at the dog park, and taking a large dump on the kitchen floor. 12/365

Jan. 13, 2015

Today @lauralong08 and I played with amazing jewelry from TheVintageAngel. This was just a quick #iphone snap, looking forward to editing the images from the “real camera” soon! 13/365

Jan. 14, 2015

Oh hello 14/365 and this shiz is getting real… I got nothing. No great #iphone photo moment to document. Zip. Super busy day and now I’m just walking around my kids baseball practice looking like a psycho as I endlessly loop the diamond, freakishly obsessed with the information streaming in from my new #fitbit gadget that I hope will help me stay inspired to keep exercising! 14/365

#JD 365 Image Pool Spotlights

In addition to my own 365 project, I want to include some lovely moments from others “playing along” and adding their work to the community under the hashtag #JD365Project. Please be sure to give them some love and consider adding YOUR best “everyday” images captured with your camera phone (only) to our image pool. It’s NEVER too late to join.

© Image from lisa, to be followed at: instagram.com/lericksonportraits

© Image from Marina Toscano, to be followed at: instagram.com/marina.toscano

© Image from bdorci, to be followed at: instagram.com/bdorci

© Image from Candice Caballero, to be followed at: instagram.com/candicecaballero

© Image from Nahono Tsuruga, to be followed at: instagram.com/iamnahono

© Image from Lindsay Helms, to be followed at: instagram.com/lindsayhelms_photography

© Image from Melanie Murray, to be followed at: instagram.com/morning_sun