Once again I'll say that I just will never understand how they judge this thing. The grand prize winner out of almost 7,000 entries just isn't that good, or special, in my opinion. I see better than that posted on this site on a slow weekday.

That's been my general reaction to their contests for years, Gene. Plus, they're into "concept" shots, and that's not really all that interesting to me.

Tom

I'll have to check out the actual paper to see them, here's a written description of the winners:  http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/travel/120734791761470.xml&coll=7

and a link to the photos online: http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/photos/

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

I find it odd that they chose *that* as their winner, and several much lovelier shots as "honorable mention".  I suppose the difference is that their theme is "travel", not just wilderness/beauty shots.  But that grand-prize winner... just isn't impressive in any way.

The one of the seagulls is lovely though.

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-Æ
"Just then, Neville caused a slight diversion by turning into a large canary."

My "issue" with photo contests in general is that you give up a lot of rights in the process with little to no compensation or future control over where, what, and how many will be reproduced.  I'd rather get a few compliments on here and from friends from work, atleast people I know, rather than give up rights to my photos.

I generally agree, although contests like the one Oregon Wild has had for the past couple of years are nice in that respect, since you're helping out a non-profit (they have liberally used all of the photos I've submitted, not just the winning entries). So to that extent, it's a good thing to share rights to the photos.

This also reminds me that at some point, a photo contest to complement the annual calendar would be a GREAT promotional/fundraising activity for PortlandHikers.org as the organization evolves.

Tom

    Tom good thinking

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When going back makes sense, you are going ahead.
- Wendell Berry