Ladies View
Maker: Megan Peterson -- 37 points 1st Place Judge's comments: A little wider to get all of the tree. Nice color and exposure. Interesting. Good layers. Maker's comments:
Elk Bugling
Maker: David Skoog -- 35 points 2nd Place Judge's comments: Harsh lighting. Good composition. Color is a little washed out. Good action. Maker's comments:
End of Fall
Maker: David Skoog -- 34 points 3rd Place Judge's comments: Nice mood. Too noisy. Good compostion. Lots of interest. Maker's comments:
I Have To Get Out Of Here!
Maker: Sonja Haske -- 34 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Good color. Faster shutter speed would have it sharper. Great action. Great detail with food in mouth and scars. Maker's comments: Settings: Shutter Priority at 1/1600 sec; ISO 800 and Canon 400mm Lens with a Canon 7D.
Redwoods in Big Basin Redwood Forest
Maker: Bob Mueller -- 33 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Great composition, interesting. Haze on the tree trunks. Maker's comments:
Tetons
Maker: Cindy Hanson -- 33 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Bottom right corner distracting. Mountain too tight on the top. Nice idea. Cloud/fog adds. Color and exposure are good. Maker's comments:
Rufus and the Ocotillo
Maker: Gene Roesler -- 32 points Judge's comments: Great technique, exposure. Would be nice to see more of the bird's head, eye. Maker's comments:
Sunset
Maker: Donnalee Hoelzen -- 32 points Judge's comments: Nice mood. Little dark on the bottom could be cropped. Lines across the sky (banding). Great composition. Maker's comments:
Fiery Autumn Leaves
Maker: Betty Cook -- 31 points Judge's comments: Good mood, great color. Over-saturated. Might be better reversed so blue is in the bottom right. Nice that the blue is on the bottom. Maker's comments:
The Three Amigo's
Maker: Gene Roesler -- 31 points Judge's comments: Too much shadow on the elk. Could use more sky, less ground. Good color. Very scenic. Good composition. Good layers. Might have been better to wait until they are all looking the same direction. Maker's comments:
Brownsville Swan Wings 2015
Maker: Kristie Lawrence -- 31 points Judge's comments: Good exposure. Didn't burn out the whites. Noisy from too much cropping. Good composition. Beak in the shadows. Good color. Maker's comments:
"This Is My Beach"
Maker: Gary Olds -- 31 points Judge's comments: Good diagonal composition. Good lighting overall but a little harsh in spots. Sharp. Nice action with the screaming. Maker's comments: This photo was shot at a local Key West beach.
Blowing Your Top
Maker: Dave Halverson -- 30 points Judge's comments: Impact, explosive. Too much noise. Blue color cast. Not quite sharp. Maker's comments:
Meadow Weed Pod
Maker: Deb Kappmeyer -- 29 points Judge's comments: Background is too sharp. Subject is sharp. Lines in background are nice. Little hot. Maker's comments:
Butterflies are always beautiful
Maker: Donnalee Hoelzen -- 28 points Judge's comments: Nice color. Right wing is not sharp. Good background. Maker's comments:
Brownsville Swans 2015
Maker: Kristie Lawrence -- 27 points Judge's comments: Dark shadows on the faces. Too many subjects; no center of interest. Feather exposure handled well. Sharp. Maker's comments:
Bark Mushroom
Maker: Bob Mueller -- 26 points Judge's comments: Not sharp; using a tripod would help. Lighting is harsh; better time of day would help. Nice angle, viewpoint. Maker's comments: