*****************************
The Right Way to Travel, Weekly Photo Tip
July 4, 2007
*****************************

PLANES, TRAINES AND AUTOMOBILES -- WINNING ENTRIES
By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR

As usual, we let last month's first-place winner choose this month's star and once again, I'm glad I had help.

Judging was tough. Last month's photo challenge theme -- Planes Trains and Automobiles -- brought in more submissions than ever before.  Below are our top three picks but I've also added an honorable mention category this month to showcase some of my other favorites...

** First Place goes to Randy for "Last Light @ Lake Eola."

** Second Place goes to hkuhnen for "Camel Caravan."

** Third Place goes to Kerry10 for "Forgotten."

(Honorable mentions are below.)

Here's this month's first-place winner...



Greg Hayes, our previous month's winner, said this about his first-place pick...

 (continued below...)

**************************

Advertisement

TAKING MORE VACATIONS CAN DOUBLE YOUR INCOME

What if a vacation wasn't something you scrimped and saved for once a year. What if you could travel anywhere... anytime... and earn $100,000 or more while you're at it?

Here's an easy way to justify more vacation time and fund a lifetime of travel: www.thetravelwriterslife.com/ltp/website

****************************

FIRST PLACE - LAKE EOLA LAST LIGHT
 
"Compositionally perfect, deliciously rich sunset color, excellent storytelling! The photographer framed the subject silhouettes against the reflection, not losing any of the elements against the buildings or the tree trunk. Leaves cascade into the sky as the heavy tree limb mirrors and complements the city skyline. Warm, intimate moment."

I like that picture too.  In fact, there were so many to choose from, I had a hard time selecting these next two...

SECOND PLACE - CAMEL CARAVAN



I like this shot because it puts the viewer right in the action. Both the lead rope and the dune rim pull focus right to the forward camel and rider.

With the sun's low angle, the desert is graphically interesting and the scene isn't lost in harsh blowout.  Check out the light catching the windblown puff of sand from the camel's step.

Though I feel the image would be stronger if our camel's head were further to the right --clearing that hind leg from our camel's head as well as presenting a fuller composition -- I get the sense that the photographer tried to lean to the right to separate them as much as possible.  The major elements line up nicely according to the Rule of Thirds.

THIRD PLACE - FORGOTTEN



There's a story here. The repeating forms of the old double-deckers fill the frame, each presenting its own version of decrepitude, leaving just enough grass so we know this isn't your usual bus parking lot.

The photo begs the viewer to ask questions. The description puts the shot in British Columbia but what are those right-hand drive (probably-London) buses doing there? Who brought them, to what use will they be put, how can I catch one?

HONORABLE MENTION - SAAB SHASTA



This photo gets the Almost-A-Car-Ad Award.

It's got great lighting. Great background. And the inclusion of the trees in the middle foreground helps make the mountain behind them real.

With a little more careful placement of the car -- a mere few feet behind its position in the photo -- we could have solved two minor problems:

1. The trees wouldn't interfere with the lines of the windshield and driver's seat and
2. The parking spot's white concrete block could be eliminated.

In general though, this is a great photograph, even to somebody like me who doesn't give a rat's <you know what> about cars.

Wonderful work everyone!! I'm including a few more of my favorites here...

ENTER TO WIN!


This month's theme "The Softer Side of Strength" is underway with a few entries coming in already. We know this will be a challenging theme and one you may not have in your collection already, so be sure to take your camera along and watch for opportunities to catch that gentle nature of someone in uniform.

The first-place winner can pick a prize from the prize list HERE  and the first-, second-, and third-place winners will all be entered in the grand prize contest for a $2,000 prize in October.

If you have a picture that matches the theme for July -- "The Softer Side of Strength" -- log on to our website at: www.thephotographerslife.com and register to win.   

First-time users should register first on the "register" link on the right side bar.  Once you have a username and password, click "Enter to Win" to upload your photos.  Only one photo per applicant will be considered.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Shelly Perry hails from Portland, Oregon and specializes in people photography -- what she calls documentary or lifestyle portraits. She is known especially for her imaging of children. Shelly's concern for people is reflected both in her sense of purpose and the images she produces. Her images have appeared all over the globe on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, Web sites, ad campaigns, and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows. She's a regular speaker at our live workshops. For details about our upcoming event in Santa Fe, NM, visit: www.thephotographerslife.com/santafe]

****************************

The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.

(c) 2007 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com