Happy Monday friends!
It’s time to roll out the Top Five Finalists for the Darkness and Light Photo Contest!
We went from having maybe a dozen entries to dozens and dozens and DOZENS of entries!! I think it took Brian and I almost two hours to go through every photo, study them, read the stories that accompanied them and just be in awe of your fabulous work. What a honor you give us every time we hold these contests. To all of you who submitted, thank you so much for trusting us with your photos. Please keep shooting, keep submitting, they were ALL amazing!
Voting and How You Can Win as a Voter!
Post a comment and vote for your favorite image. Tell us why you liked it so the artist that took the image will be blessed (this is by far the best part of these contests). And don’t forget, we always pick a random voter to win something too. Prizes and future prizes are listed below. Let’s get to the photos!
Finalist #1, Dancing on the Beach, by Caron (mama to this little girl)
This image feels timeless. It’s beautiful, freeing, inspiring, and makes me want to run down to our beach and dance away. I can almost hear the little girl singing. The sunset colors are gorgeous, but what struck me most about this photo is the timing of the picture. If you’ve ever tried to capture photos of your little girl dancing, it’s not easy. But Caron almost makes it look like a piece of cake in this image.
The placement of arms, feet, and seeing her stand on her tippy toes while knowing this moment only lasted for a second, wow Caron, AMAZING JOB! I also love the composition of this image. Her daughter being off centered adds even more motion to her dancing. I can’t say it enough, great job Caron!
Finalist #2, Birthday Candles, by Deb (mama and wife to these hands)
This is what Deb wrote in her photo submission: “This is a celebration for my husband’s 45th birthday (4 candles on one cupcake, 5 on the other). My 11 year old daughter is lighting the birthday candles for him. I didn’t even realize I had captured the moment between them until I was looking through the pictures. I absolutely love how his hand is gently guiding hers to light the candles.”
When Brian and I opened the image after reading her email, we gasped.
Isn’t this image amazing?! I love the composition of how she framed their hands and centered the cupcakes. The hands and their touch is so tender. Deb, you must share with people how you shot this image! Do you remember your settings? It looks like the candle light was your only light for the image. What an incredible example of darkness and light. Amazing job Deb!
Finalist #3, Red Sky of India, by Ms. Denu
If you’re having a hard time on trying to decide on the finalist after seeing the first two, wait till we add #3 into the mix! Ms. Denu emailed us from India. Her email was precious and explained how she follows our blog and has never entered a photo contest before. Don’t you think she should enter more?!
Can a sky be any more red? I love the dramatic effect of darkness and light in this image–it leaves so much for the imagination to wonder. Are these children playing, are they walking home as a family, is that the mom off to the side, is she holding another child, is the dad comforting the other child? This image is a wonderful example of using darkness and light to inspire stories and creativity. What do I mean by this? Photos can often show us the story, but every once in a while you come across an image that leaves you with more mystery than knowledge. And yet, even in the mystery of this image we still feel warmth, tenderness, family, and what else? Ms. Denu, thank you so much for sharing and taking a chance on submitting to your first photo contest! Wonderful job!
Finalist #4, Ballerina Silhouette, by Susanne (mama to this little one)
Let’s go a different direction in our finalist images and take a look at this beautiful example in capturing darkness and light while inside your home. Susanne said her little girl had just learned to sit up. She set her far enough away from the blinds so her baby couldn’t reach them and took the shot as fast as she could before her baby fell over. 🙂 Don’t we all remember those tender days?
I love the amount of darkness Susanne used in this image.
What strikes you the most when you see this?
For me, it’s the ruffles on the skirt and the bow around her head. Sometimes I take a silhouette and make the subject completely dark, but sometimes it’s fun to not go completely dark and leave more detail. Susanne has done this wonderfully b/c the detail is in essence the story of the image. The choice to make this a silhouette shot draws out the detail of her ruffled skirt, bows and chubby arms that much more. Would we have had the same effect if this image was in color and/or if her daughter was fully lit? Susanne, this is beautiful. It reminds me of the photo effects I taught on the Beyond the Green Box DVD with Pascaline sitting in front of the window. Thank you so much! You should be so proud of what you captured!!
Finalist #5, Hannah Kate Swinging, by Melissa (mama)
It’s hard to put into words what I think of this image. The soft color, the leaves in the trees above, the darkness and light, the motion of the swing, the old fence, the composition that leaves only a partial profile of her face, the composition that has not wasted a single inch of this image–everything you see lends to the power of the final result. Did Melissa mean to do that? Or was she lucky? Melissa you have to tell us!
The image feels like we’ve stepped back in time, and I love what Melissa writes. “When I think back to my childhood, most of my memories are visually all washed out with light, similar to this photograph. It makes me wonder if my children might remember this exact moment, swinging in the sunlight, as one of their distant memories one day too.”
One more powerful thing to mention about this image. The lack of sound I hear when I look at it. It’s as if the image itself is quiet. I can almost hear the quiet sound of leaves rustling in the wind–her daughter’s breath as she swings higher and higher. Stunning Melissa, just stunning.
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These are the Top Five Finalists for the Darkness and Light Photo Contest! Brian and I debated on allowing ten finalists or fifteen finalists because it was so hard to choose, but I think less is more. These five do a great job at representing the diversity in creativity when it comes to capturing both darkness and light.
It’s always a bit vulnerable for people to send their photo submissions in. So be sure to post your vote and comment below. Let the finalist you choose know why you love their work so much. The winning finalist will receive 50% off to our Sonoma Workshop at the end of this month (April 25th-27th)!!! If the winner is unable to come to the workshop, the runner up will be given the opportunity and so forth. Brian and I can’t wait to meet one of you this month!!
Don’t forget there is always a Random Voter Winner too!! When the contest has ended, we’ll plug the votes in and have excel pick a random voter. The Random Voter Winner will get to choose from one of our five fun 101 Kits (Mom’s Survival 101, Portrait 101, Wedding 101, Getting Published 101 and Associates 101)!
The Deadline for voting on these finalists is this Thursday at 12 noon PT (3pm ET). If your a finalist, be sure to spread the word and get your family and friends voting for you!
Vote Away and Make the Finalists’ Day!! (hey, that TOTALLY rhymed! :))
The 5 finalist did an amazing job. My vote is for #2 Birthday Candles. Love the connection between father and daughter that Deb was able to capture.
My vote is for #3. The contrast of the Yellow, red and black pull you into the scene that would have otherwise been busy.
this is a hard choice- they all did a fabulous job!
i am going with #3- love the mystery, the sky drew me in and i love the silhouettes of the possible family here. i must say i have never seen a redder sky. gorgeous!
My vote is for #4. My little girl is entering the “learning how to sit” stage and so I totally connect with this image. It’s absolutely beautiful. I was drawn to the ribbon detail before reading Me Ra’s comments; I love the detail and the wavy lines, especially in contrast to the straight vertical blinds.
Great job!
I vote #3 – its an awesome picture!!
Know I need to decide……………ALL OF THEM!!
I know I need to pick just one so I am going to say #3. Gotta love the family with that beautiful red sky behind. I also love the interaction that is going on with the family.
5 WOW I felt everything you stated and more. I love photos that take me back to my own childhood and this one takes the cake for me.
i’m all about number 5! it just moves me.
My vote goes to #2 “Birthday Candles”. As a looked at it and saw his hand guiding his daughters I started to cry. I can just picture my husband doing this very same thing! The fact that she caught such an amazing shot, without knowing… to me, makes it priceless.
#4 I’m a sucker for black and whites & baby girls in tutu’s!
Wow, what a difficult choice. All of the photos are lovely and do a great job with the theme — I aspire to be as talented as ANY ONE of those entrants! But since I have to choose just one to vote for, I am going to go with #4, the ballerina silouhette. The position of the babe’s arms, helping to balance her, totally conveys that “just learning to sit up” stage, and I love the details of the ribbons and the tutu.
Wow… my entry had no chance! These finalists are fabulous. I think the competition is getting more fierce since you guys keep getting more and more popular!
Number three is so beautiful! I love family shots and the red sky is just enchanting – I love everything about it! I’m voting for number three!!! Well done!
Yikes, that is a hard one. I am going to have to go with number 5. I look at that picture and I can smell my childhood.
#4
very nice 🙂
Such a hard decision! I vote for #1.
My best friend has a daughter who is going to be a senior in high school while my son is just over a year. When we were together last week she expressed her saddness over how she misses that time with a little baby. I see her struggle to let her daughter go as she approaches being a woman. So this photo, of the girl dancing in the water reminds me of how special the teen years are and how her daughter is coming into her own and doing her own “dance.” That sounds so cheesy, but that’s what I thought of when I saw that photo.
#1
I have to definitely say #4…how cute is that! Not only is it extremely cute but it is a great photo. Great composition! I love this photo…even more so, because I have a photo similar of my little girl!
after a long long long debate….
#4
i love the detail of the skirt and the bows.
I love all of these… they are just amazing! I think I will have to vote for number 2, the birthday candles…I love the gentle guiding of the fathers hands. It makes me miss my own dad! Great job!
Once again, a hard choice! All the photos are amazing and different and wonderful! Nice work.
M
y vote is for #2 – I love the fathers hand guiding the daughters hand. It touched me.
All of these are truly wonderful. Since I have to choose only one, though, my vote goes to #1 “Dancing on the Beach.”
I vote for finalist #4. It is an amazing picture!
I vote for #1
Wow! All these photographs are amazing, they all give me inspiration to experiment with the darkness and light and to not be afraid of it all. Great Job, ladies!
After much thought, my vote has to be for #5. The photograph caught such a simple, innocent moment of childhood; and as Me Ra described, there is a lack of sound. I always “hear” a photographer (some people who don’t get that just think I’m crazy 😉 In this swing shot, I can hear the leaves, hear the wind in her hair, hear her excited breath of swinging high. I can feel the sun, feel the wind on my face. This is an image of childhood that should never be forgotten, and little Hannah never will because of this amazing shot. Great Job, Melissa!
totally voting for #4…though it was tough! I like that i wanna reach out and touch the ruffles or the little hands…itz just a simple yet very texture shot of the lil baby! 🙂 it stood out to me the most! 🙂 happy voting~!!!!!
Difficult choice! My vote is for #5. Even as an adult, I LOVE to swing. There is something about it that takes me back to sweet, innocent times. Gorgeous image Melissa!
All five were amazing! If I have to pick one, I pick #1. Beautiful picuture and great timing. Wow!
I love number 5. It is a delicately beautiful photograph. I love the contrast between the light and dark and the motion of the picture. Nice job!
#1…..what a piece of art! Perfect timing of child….well done.
#1
My vote is for #1 because not only does the photo capture the contest completely, its an amazing capture!!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING about it!!! The drops of water that were obviously dropped from her foot as she moved….WOW….and are those her footsteps, that we see????? AWESOME JOB CARON!!! 😉 Shannon
Ok, Me Ra, seriously, this is TOO HARD. But my criteria always revolves around which picture I would most like to have in general and the one I would most like to have of my own children, so that means…
#1
The beach, dancing, and a child all in one? WOW! Love that picture. It makes me want to go to the beach right now and never leave. The beauty, the carefree spirit, the magesty, is all caught and contrasted in the smallness of a child in front of the enormity of nature. Plus, the footprints are just cool!
Completely love #5. No question. I can associate with catching the sun spots in my photos, but love them every time. I feel like it’s a glimpse of God winking at that moment. It always makes that photo special, and this one is perfect!
Boy it is SO hard to choose! I want to vote for them all, but particularly #1,2, and 4. Do I vote for “joy”, “tender guidance” or “wonder”?
In the end, I’m voting for #2. Just because this is the kind of interaction I’d love to capture between my own husband and children. 😀
By the way, it might be easier for you to use Random.org for choosing the random voter winners; I know that lots of blog giveaway sites use it for selecting their winners.
Of course I think they all are great, but I’m going with #3. I totally get what Me Ra is saying! I like to sometimes wonder what’s happening in a picture… I can just see this picture up in a gallery somewhere! I’d love it blown up big on my wall!
Ms. Denu,
I hope to see more of your work! I’m so glad you entered the contest and shared this photo with us! Thank you!
This is a HARD decision! All the photos are absolutely beautiful.
I have gone back and forth between all of them over and over and over and have to say that #3 is the one that stands out the most to me. How insanely gorgeous is that sky????
Congrats to all the finalist. Your photos are awesome!!!!!!!!!!
They are all so good, but my vote is for #2. Birthday celebrations are one of my favorite things to capture and I love the tenderness Deb captured here!
wow.. i think it gets harder to pick with each contest that comes out !!
the image the struck me first and the one i’ll vote for is #4.. the baby girl sitting there.. looking out the window.. her chubby arms.. soo cute !! i especially love how the ribbon in her hair.. the bow and the ruffles on her tutu came out.. absolutely precious.. it makes me wish i had a little one..
every picture is amazing tho’.. wish i could vote for all of them..
I vote for #4.
I vote #4! I love the still moment she captured and at that age it is just a moment. The outline of the arms and the detail in the ruffled skirt. I see this blown up framed above this little ones crib. Great job!
Heidi
What great images!!!
My vote is for #1 – for all the reasons you listed, plus the overall serenity.
(for me #3 was a close runner-up)
I like the colors in number 1. Also how the sun is reflecting on the wet sand. All of them are very good though!
#3. I like how the “light” aspect of the theme is depicted in an unconventional way. When we think of light and dark, we don’t think of color, we think of black and white (usually). I love that the light in this image is a beautiful bold red! Breathtaking image!
I had such an emotional response to all five of them, but if I HAVE TO choose, I choose #2. There is something so full of love and guidance and dignity in this picture. Just beautiful.
I vote for picture number 4. What a beautiful picture.
This WAS hard….but I am so struck by #3, I have to vote for it!
#3 is my vote (#4 was pulling at my heart strings too). Absolutely love the color and the perfect, yet obscure outlines of the subjects. Me Ra totally described the picture perfectly and it’s a photo that you’d see in National Geographic. Hey…maybe it should be submitted there. Why not?!
My vote is for #4, I love that I can see details in the baby’s silhouette, the skirt, the chubby arms… precious!!!
I vote for #4. It almost gives me the feeling of a rainy day outside and the little one looking out in wonder. She seems happy to be in her beautiful dress, as she sits in her little throne.
Beautiful picture.
I vote for #1!
LOVE how the dancer divides the golden light to the darker side. She is in the perfect spot!
#3 is my favorite! With #4 a close second.
Wow! I just opened Me Ra’s blog and seen that one of my photos was a finalist in the contest. I am so honored, it is just beyond words at this point. I have never entered a contest before and was very hesitant to enter this one. I’ve seen the photos entered in the past and they all rock…just wasn’t sure if I would measure up. So thank you, thank you, thank you to Me Ra and Brian for choosing my photo.
Me Ra asked me about my camera settings and I want to share with everyone how I captured this moment. First, the kids always request that all the lights be turned off to get the full effect of the candles so I cranked my ISO up to 1600. I almost always shoot apeture priority and I knew I wanted the focus to be on the candles so I set the apeture to 2.8. Shutter speed was 1/200. ~~
I would have to say my favorite one is #2. The why she caught the light is just amazing
I vote for #5! The way the sun is shining through the leaves and makes the little girl glow, beautiful. It makes you feel like you are right there experiencing the moment with her. They are all amazing.
I’m loving #3. There is so much meaning in the interactions with the people. The father with the children, the protective mother holding her child, and the sun setting on a family full of love.
My Vote is for #4. This picture has such amazing detail. How adorable is this this baby girl in the ballerina skirt!? This photograph is priceless.
This is a tough choice, but I love the intentionality and the beautiful execution of #4. Plus, who doesn’t love a little girl in a ballerina dress–she will treasure this image someday!
wow. this was a tough one, what beautiful photographs! i have to go with #1, to me, there is nothing more beautiful than dance!
Wow! All of these photos are amazing! But I really LOVE #2! I always have the worst time catching these types of photos… this is so clear & the moment is just priceless! Beautiful photo, Deb!
My vote is for #2.. it’s such a beautifully tender moment captured between father and daughter.. I’m sure her daughter will always cherish that picture, especially when she’s older.
#5 I love the angles and the sun through the trees
I vote for #2. The lighting of the candles pulls me into the picture. After focusing on the burning candles I follow the arc of the hands and back towards the bottom curve of the plate … I glance at the cupcake with the unlit candles and wonder about that previously dripped wax … this picture is beautiful and leaves me with questions of the event. It moves me with a comfort and warmth. An excellent job of capturing the perfect moment.
I vote for #2. I love that Deb captured such a special moment between father and daughter…and what talent it takes to get such a great shot in this amount (or lack of) light. 🙂
#2 Birthday candles. The lighting and the angle the photographer had in this picture is the point that made it easy fo rme to choose. A quiet moment with meaning….I love it. Thanks for the opportunity to view such beautiful photography. I choose #2
All of the photos are great! It was hard to choose, but I will go with #2, it’s filled with love.
I love #2 and #4, but think I would have to choose #2, because it is neat to see a dad and his older child bonded.
That was always important to me. Everyone loves the babies, but the older kids need special attention too. What a precious moment.
Renee
#3 I love the bold colors & that you have a blog reader around the world! They are all fabulous photos though =)
My vote is #1. I like the motion and the mood of the picture. Great job!
Finalist #4. I really love the picture of the baby
Voting for number two!!! Love this tender embrace and it speaks to my heart of a father and daughters love and bond!!!
I have to say also that I was captivated by number 4 (just found out I’m going to have a graddaughter!) Sweetness of ruffles and ribbons!
Patty
They are all great!
My vote goes to #2 – the birthday candles. What a sweet and unexpected shot to capture.
Wow! Hard choice…I have to vote for #5. It makes me think of all the times I’m at the park with my kids just pushing them higher and higher. Well done everyone.
picture # 1
What I love is the color. The beach is really fun same with ballet. I love when she gets the shot when she’s sort of tipped over.And it’s just beautiful.:)
I’m voting for picture #5. I love the sense that you captured a second in time. The color, tilt of the camera and sun flare is fantastic!
Great job everyone!
I have to vote for number two. How sweet to know that birthdays can still be precious between father and child when the child is all grown up.
I am going to vote for #3. I love the mystery of the photo.
All of the finalist did an amazing job, it was hard to pick!
I love,love,love #2 talk about capturing a moment. This picture tugged on my heart strings. Deb really used her talent getting the perfect light vs. darkness. Hands down my favorite!
I love all the pictures and they inspire me to take more pictures to capture those special moments w/my children.
My vote goes to Caron, photo #1. She totally captured the joy and freedom in her daughter’s dance on the beach. You can see the silhouette in the sand and drops of water kicked up. Definitely frameworthy!!
Such amazing pictures! I vote for the tender #2.
I love number 2 with the birthday candles! I love the capture between a father and daughter.
Birthday Candles (#2) is amazing! What a beautiful glow between father and daughter celebrating light and life!
Such a hard decision! I love #1 and #5, but I have to vote for #4 because it just takes my breath away. Beautiful work!
#1 is my vote because it was the one I remembered most after I looked at all of them. It also fulfilled the most senses in my body to think about (smell, sight, hearing, touch). Great job!
They are all so nice, but my vote is for #2.
They are all so nice, but my vote goes to #2.
My vote is for #2. All of these are very nice.
They are all beautiful, but my vote is for #4 because of the emotion and memories it stirs inside me. So sweet!
All of these photos are AWESOME. My vote is for #2.
Picture #1 gets my vote. When I fisrt look at the picture the color of the sky and water capture my eyes. Then my eyes are drawn to the image of the young dancer.
Even though #2 really touched me, I have to go with #4 because it’s absolutely adorable!
oooh this was tough for me between #1 and #5. #1 is an all around perfect example of lightness and darkness and the silhouette of a young lady finding her grace is so special (since I try so hard to capture the same of my 9 yr old)…
but my vote is for #1 because it pulls at my heart. an image that reminds you of your own childhood, especially how the lighting and movement reflects the innocence and carefree times we all cherish…well done! and congrats to all of you for having the bravery to submit your work!
yikes! typo on my previous comment!
my vote is for #5!
All the images are wonderful, but #4 has my vote hands down. Composition, lighting and that candid moment is perfect! Absolutely Beautiful!!!!
I vote for #2 although they are all such awesome photos!
My vote is definately # 4…I have to daughters of my own and it’s such a great feeling when you see them do something new!! Great Job!!
So hard to vote! But I vote for #4. All the rolls on her back are so cute!
My vote is for #2. Conquering the lighting challenge itself was an accomplishment but to catch this one chance only moment simply adds to her success. I sometimes hear people say ‘I lucked into this shot’ but each entry here was captured by someone who keeps their camera in hand and that isn’t luck, it’s dedication. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us.
My vote is for finalist #2 (Deb) that is such a touching moment to capture. It’s beautiful.
I seriously love every singal one, but #5 took my breath away. I agree it’s as if there is a quite silence! I love the mystery of what the girls expresion might be. I love the cozy colorful coat catching the warm rays of sunlight on her back and the sun spots just add a touch of pure bliss! Congrat’s to all of you finalist, it’s a joy to see everyones work. Absolutely Beautiful!
I have to vote for #4, the bitty ballerina. I remember all of my children just learning how to sit up, and discovering the wonder of our windows. All the fingerprints on glass doors prove it is one of their favorite places to sit! The gaze, the wonder of the great outdoors… what they must be thinking about what they see~ all kids want to spend more time outside than they actually do. I love the fat rolls on the babies arms. I adore the ruffles of the ballerina skirt – the tell tale of the mother who was blessed with a baby girl. It is cheery to see the bright light coming through the window, and I love how the artist used the sun to set the mood. My vote is for the classic, timeless beautiful ballerina!
Hi. All of these are AMAZING! I love them all, but the one that really sparks for me is #1 , but #5 comes in a close second.
My vote goes to #2! I love the candles and the hands. All of the pics were great!
I love #2. This photo reminds me of my dad and I. I love that the only light in the photo comes from the candles.
#4-Ballerina Girl is just precious! The tutu on this little thing is genius! I would give anything to have a front view of this peanut as well. ADORABLE!!
#2 is my vote.. she has a way of grabbing the gentleness of someones older hand in a helping manner, its like take care I’m here to help you along the way
I must say all five finalists really captured beautiful shots. My vote is going to have to go to #2. Deb did an amazing job capturing a father/daughter moment in a new way. That photo takes me back in time to when my dad knew everything and I wanted to learn it all!
Wow. I love #2, the father’s hand guiding the daughter’s is just fabulous. I love that the candles are the only light.
I vote for #1, Dancing on the Beach, by Caron. This image is poetic. It captures grace and beauty and awkwardness in the same instance. It evokes many memories and feelings for me. Beautiful image.
#1 wins for me — hands down. It’s the cleanest silhouette … and I can almost hear the sun setting. It is calm … makes me feel calm in the chaos of my life!
They are all wonderful, but I have to choose #2. Such tenderness.
#4 without a doubt wins my vote….It is such a beautiful picture! The warmth I get from this picture makes me want to have one of my own one day! Great job Susan!
#4 without a doubt wins my vote….It is such a beautiful picture! The warmth I get from this picture makes me want to have one of my own one day! Great job Susan!Good luck!
I believe the photographer was able to capture the innocence of a child.
I am voting for #4. I believe the photographer was able to capture the innocence of a child.
Great picture!
I’m voting for #4, great picture.
#2 is the best by far
What talent these ladies have! Thanks so much to them for sharing, and to you MeRa for holding these inspiring contests!
I’d like to vote for #1. I know how hard it is to get a good sunset picture and a good picture of a child in action. This mom got both of them! It’s beautiful.
My vote goes to #2 – What a great picture.
#4 is my vote! ADORABLE
I love #2-although all are wonderful-I’d be proud to have taken anyone of those photos!!!
WOW!!! #2 was the one that impressed me most. Then reading the caption made the picture even more tender. Thank you for sharing with us this amazing picture
#2 what a great moment capture. The light is absolutely perfect
I would have to say #2 it was very hard to pick they all had their own special qualities, but #2 touched my heart
I really enjoyed seeing the works of all these talented photographers but I must say that #2 is by far my favorite.
WOW…what beautiful pictures!! My vote is for #2, I love how she captured that special moment.
#4…. great job!
#4 is my favorite. It’s a picture that she can look at when she’s older and be proud of. Good Job!
I love #4. Very precious and timeless.
I’m voting for number 1. All of them are beautiful but I like the morning feel of #1
OK, This is probably totally not fair but I have to vote one more time, I was so torn between #3 and #4, the first time I voted for #4 but I’m going to cheat and vote for #3 the second time around…it’s just so hard to choose!
How proud you must be to have inspired so many!
WOW!!! Amazing picture. I vote for picture number 4.
#4 is so beautiful!
They are all amazing in their own way.
I’m going to go with #4 because it moved my heart the most. I think because the posture and sillouette reminds me so much of my little girl, and when she was at that stage not too long ago. I love the feel of her peering out into the world.
They’re all precious, but I especially like #4, which is my vote.
#3 is just stunning… that’s my vote…
Vote for #2 There is something so very heartwarming about this picture. Like an older couple a having special private celebration.
Finalist #2, Birthday Candles, by Deb (mama and wife to these hands)
I love this picture, it says so much!
MY VOTE IS FOR NUMBER TWO BUT THEY ARE ALL AMAZING
mY VOTE IS FOR NUMBER TWO THEY ARE ALL AMAZING PHOTOS
#4 is too cute, I love the lighting. Plus that is my favorite stage of babies is when they are just learning to sit up. Great Job. Love the tutu!
The photo that stands out the most is #5. It is rich with sensory triggers that can pull anyone back to the free, innocence of childhood (and who doesn’t like that?).
All of the pictures were great, but #2 really impressed me. My father’s 90th birthday is coming up and this totally gave me a wonderful idea. good luck
I love love love love picture #1. BEAUTIFUL work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#2 is my favorite! A father and daughter’s love is like no other! Wonderful picture Deb!
I want to cast my vote for #4. This is an adorable picture.
I vote for #2. I love how the light of the candles brings out the tenderness of the hands. Great picture Deb!
#2… It speaks to me not of a literal guidance to light the candles, but of spiritual guidance…the guidance that helps her to find the light of goodness when surrounded by darkness.
It has got to be #2. This picture encompasses life between a parent and a child. The picture show how parents guide their children through gently guiding them. I cant tell you how much I love this picture. Thank you so much for sharing it.
I love them all, but I think my favorite is #3, the red sky is just AMAZING and there is mystery in the images!
I love for #3. Great pictures.
#2 I love the emotion that comes through. The light is soft and the touch is soft. Beautiful.
WOW! These are all such beautiful images, each in their own special way. It’s hard to decide! I’m going to go with #5; I love the carefree feeling of the image.
Love them all!
I vote for the little girl dancing on the beach – finalist #1. Just amazing.
i vote for #4…. it is an awesome picture….. the way the shot was taken is amazing.
i vote for #4, i think she captured the perfect balance of ligth, the sun rising just in front of the little girl’s face.
the best!
I vote for #1. I love the “shimmer” on the water and the movement of the girl dancing. I would love to have a picture of my daughter like that.
I vote for #4. It is a great picture!
#4, excellent work, good job!
#4 is amazing. This picture captures both the soft and sweet as well as the strength and accomplishment of the baby sitting. I love the balance.
Hi Everyone,
Me Ra emailed me asking if I would post the settings of my camera for picture #4: (believe me, I still need to learn all this terminology! and I was trying all types of settings!) :
Canon 40D
on Aperture priority
exposure 0.04 sec (1/25)
f/2.8
Focal Length:50mm
ISO: 400 (no flash was fired) and the sun was right in front of her it was somewhere around 4-5pm taken april 2nd.
Thanks and Enjoy!
#3 – I feel as if I am there in those moment. I can feel the warmth of the sun shining on me. What an amazing red sky!
wow! Thank you so much Me Ra for choosing my picture. I feel honored to be among such amazing finalists!
The swing photo was a real example of “shooting from the hip.” It was taken on the auto setting with a Canon Powershot. My husband & I take tons of pictures of our kids on the swing, sometimes just holding the camera down low and shooting up. We have accidentally gotten some great shots that way. Lots of practice results in at least having a lot of pictures to choose from, and then the key is knowing which ones to throw out and which ones to keep. I find beauty everywhere, and love any moment that I am lucky enough to capture that, whether on accident or otherwise.
I don’t know how good of a photographer you’d have to be to create that photo on purpose but this time around it was all chance. The “quiet” mood I think was created by the cold light put off by the winter sun…it was bright but not hot. I loved sharing this picture with you girls. Thanks for treating it so kindly!
What a great picture, I really like #2, it is such a work of Art. Spectacular!
NUMBER 4 IS MY VOTE.
IT’S THE BEST OF THE BUNCH.
My Vote is for #2. I not only love the Father guiding his daughters hand, but also the lighting just enough to see everything fromt the hands to the design on the plate. This is a magnificent shot. Great work Deb.
My vote is for #4. I love how the light captures the chubby little folds on her arms. That pose with the arms out like that is so universal for baby girls at that age. How precious!
This contest’s entries were my favorite BY FAR. I’m torn but will have to go with number 1. Love the uncluttered background and composition on that one.
I can’t believe I missed entering on this contest. 🙁
My vote is for #2. I love what candid shot this is,what a moment to capture. It is a perfect balance between light and dark
I vote for number 4. That is an amazing picture.
Gorgeous
#4
I think all the photographer’s did a great job, But I choose # 4 it’s the best.
OMG
Its sooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!
i like # 4 the best, what a beautiful picture
#3- It’s stunning! I love the light, the composition, the story that unfolds from the jet black silouettes against the blood red sky! What an amazing picture; it totally reminds me of something you’d see in National Geographic!
I vote for number#4 pic. It had beautiful shading and feel. It feels soothing to look at.
Love #1…I can feel her spirit and smell the ocean too!
#1. UNBELIEVABLE PICTURE BY A REMARKABLE ARTIST! CARON IS TRULEY AMAZING!
#1 FOR ME!!!!!!
I vote for #1 it is wonderful and the spirit she captured is awesome.
#1 photo is the tops
I vote for #1…what a wonderful picture!
I vote #1..
#1 BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES!SUCH FREEDOM.
#1 gets my vote. I love the beach, I love dancing and the timing is absolutely perfect. I love the stormy sky and the sun reflection on the beach. Beautiful!
My vote goes for #2 – a very unusual shot, never seen another one like it! All the photos were wonderful, but #2 is not a common shot/topic.
My vote is #1.
MY VOTE IS # 1 LOOKS AWESOME
#1. Awesome picture. Looks like she is dancing for GOD
I absolutely LOVE #1!
This photograph is one of those rare examples of capturing the magic moment of perfect composition. The little girl seems to be lighting the sky above her with the wonder of her dance.
The horizontals…the verticals…the angles drawing your eye to the subject…and especially the electricity between darkness and light…splendid!
I wish this were a poster to inspire all of us to to capture our our own magical moments, and dance like no one is watching!
Beautiful work, Caron!
Judy
#1 is my favorite. Thanks for the great picture.
#1 is my vote.
#1 is beautiful with the dance of magic.
#1 my vote it is breathtaking.
#1 is the greatest gives me goosebumps.
#1 is my vote. Thanks Caron and I’m proud of you.
All of the pictures are just beautiful, but I’m voting for #1. This mom is giving her child such a gift with the pictures she takes of her. How many of us had someone capture those fleeting moments in our own lives? Probably very few. That lovely girl will be able to look back for the rest of her life on that moment and be able to feel that sand, that salt air, that freedom, and relive that moment of pure magic… it doesn’t get any better. (In fact, I would like to vote 25 times for #1 in addition to this vote. It would just save you all the trouble of tallying them one by one. Thanks! 🙂
#1 🙂
photo #1 RAWKS! that is so amazing Caron. I have 3 kids and to get a shot like that with such pristine exposure and color is amazing. Great job. So dreamy and it really tells the carefree story of childhood. It looks like a still from the opening of a movie or something.
I choose number 1 because without a doubt it is the most capturing of scenery and the most graceful little girl ever…..
i choose #1. i have actually had this photographer take pictures of our family. she does an amazing job and has a fantastic eye.
My vote is for #2 the birthday candles.
My vote is #1 It reminds me of a photo I took in HS of my then boyfriend at the same beach. This Saturday is our 28th Wedding Anniversary and I can remember that day like it was yesterday.
to dance on the beach is a gift, to capture it on film is priceless, thank you! AND THAT WOULD BE #1
#1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 I ONLY DREAM OF THAT MOMENT BUT THANKS TO CARON I CAN SEE IT FOR EVER!
TALENT CAN I SAY MORE? WHO NEEDS TO COUNT PAST #1?
#1 THAT TINY DANCER IS HOLDING THE CLOUDS IN HER ARMS! SOMEONE IN HEAVEN HAS PAINTED A PICTURE, CARON TOOK THAT PICTURE! WOW!!
#4! Cuuuute! And the best picture! (She is my niece so I am biased!)
I have to say #1 absolutely captures the theme of Darkness and Light better than any of the other finalists. What a photo!
What a picuture!!! I love all of the pictures, but #4 is the winner:) It is a great shot. Very cute!
#4…#4!!! I want more of #4! very nice placement of the subject and good use of lighting. Good job!
I love #1. You rock Caron!!! The timing on this was perfect in getting her up on her toe like that. You’re an amazing photographer and this just proves it once again!!!
You rock Caron!! I love #1. Your timing on this was perfect in getting her up on her toe like that. Add in all the other amazing details in this silouette and it just proves once again what an amazing photographer you are!
its a great photo
my granddauther beautiful even from behind the use of the sun light on this beautiful flower makes the open arms look like petals on a flower
#4 my granddauther beautiful even from behind the use of the sun light on this beautiful flower makes the open arms look like petals on a flower
#4 my baby niece looks like an angel from heaven.
I vote for #4. There is SO much baby sweetness captured here especially in her chubby arms!
All wonderful photos, but my pick is #2!
That moment only lastest for brief seconds – and to catch in that short time the tenderness, composition, and light — wonderful!
I vote for #1. I love the graceful feel of the dance and the romantic feel of the sunset.
my vote is #4!
They are all so good….but I am voting for #2.
My vote is for #2…so many things to love about this…the tenderness, the light, the ability to perfectly capture such a brief but very special moment! Love it!
I’ve contemplated all of them many times…but I keep coming back to #1. I love all of them, but #1 just really inspires me. Maybe because I’ve got 3 dancers of my own? I just love it and look forward to recreating with my girls when we vacation at the beach this summer.
SO hard to choose! But I do love #5! It’s such a happy, carefree image. It’s a picture of what I hope my life looks like when I have kids 🙂
I love the birthday candles #2!
We can vote more then once right???? I think #3 is an incredible shot I agree with Me Ra 100% on this one!!!!
#1 TRUE INSPIRATION!!
My vote is for #4–great shot.
I vote for photo #2. What amazing wonders God has given us to care for here on earth. Nothing more wonderful than guiding our children with soft touches and words of love and faith.
Love #3…it is very rare to see a sky that colorful, and she did a wonderful job capturing it.
#2 (though it was hard, all were great!)
I love that it was a mom, doing the birthday shot, and she serendipitously caught an image illustrating what parents devote lives to – the balance of guiding your children while letting them do it on their own. What a fun reward to discover when looking through your photos later! P.S. I want the recipe for this shot!
I HAVE to vote for number 4. As a mom of two boys, I’ve dreamt of having sweet girl photos like this one. Absolutely stunning shot!
Nicely done Caron! My vote is for #1.
I vote for #2 – although all photo’s were amazing! #5 is so cute!
I want to vote for Deb’s photo #2. It is an amazing picture! Love it!
#1 for sure. What a beautiful picture. It makes me want to dance on the beach. Great job Caron!
#1, great job Caron!
I vote for #1 Dancing on the beach! I happend to be a huge beach lover and this photograph of Clara makes want to dance in the waves. I think it beautiful and truely calming. Way to go Caron!
I vote for #4! Great capture before she would fall over! Especially since she was still trying to balance herself!
I vote for #1, it is the best photo of the bunch, I think Clara’s pose is beautiful!
#2 gets my vote. 🙂
#1 it is the best use of light and dark.
What a precious baby picture! #4
Tough choice, but I choose #4 because it’s just so darn girly! I am melting over the ruffles and ribbon. Also can’t resist the chubby baby arms, nicely accentuated by the light.
#1 Great Shot!! The lighting and the timing are perfect!
#1 is AMAZING!
WOW, Caron! How you captured light and dark breathes life into your daughter’s nature-dance photo. This image is awe-inspiring!
#1 is a picture that can make the viewer remember memories of childhood, beach vacations, and just daydreams of mornings where you have nothing to do but enjoy the sand and water.
#1 gets my vote!
Nice job, Caron!
My 4 year old daughter and I vote for #4. What a beautiful image. I can almost see it on a Hallmark card right now. :0) Good job!
#1
WOW! How did you do that, Caron?! You mastered the “impossible shot!”
Amazing!
#1 looks like it was shot in a special effects studio. This photograph is spectacular!
I thought #2 did a great job.
I enjoyed all the photographs! I think each of these photographers did a great job but in the end my vote was for #2
I am voting for #2 in a world were there is so much abuse and violence this picture portrays the loving relationship between a father and daughter that is often overlooked. #3 was a close second. Good job to all the photographers
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder..
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean…
And when you get a choice to sit it out or dance…I hope you dance.
#1 is timeless and inspirational.
Thank you, Caron.
I vote for #1
I vote for #2. Beautiful! And different from the “usual”.
#1
Perfect! The skyline, the horizon line, the color, the position, the footprints and water drops, the silhouette mirrored in the shallow water, the execution of light and dark, you got it all!
Once in a lifetime shot!
I like Photo #1. I happen to know the young girl in the photograph and Caron has caught her essense completely. Such a joyful girl! Nice.
#1 – Beautiful!!!
#1 is our family’s vote
I like #4 the best
I am voting for #3.
#4! Such a classic shot!! I love that there is some detail and it is still a silhouette! Great job Susanne!
Hello! What a thrill it was to be notified that my image was selected for this contest…I’m honored to be among these wonderful photographers…all of the images are stunning!
Me Ra asked me to post the ‘recipe’ for image #1, the Dancer on the Beach…here it is:
Nikon D200
1600 sec at f4.5
used a 24-70mm 2.8 lens
image was captured at 34mm
taken on March 14th.
Thank you voters…your words posted with your vote are invaluable.
THANKS!
Wendy,
it is me Susanne… you said you wanted to see what my little one looks like from the front, here is the link to my flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spedro4
#1
I love #3 – the red sky is so beautiful!
#1 is the vote for me.
#1 is truly fine art.
I would like to vote for the birthday candle photo. The tenderness of the moment is so touching and full of emotion I don’t want to stop looking at it!
My pick is #4. The lighting and mood was just right to capture the perfect picture. There are not too many opportunities to capture a precious moment and Susanne caught one that could be enjoyed by others. Thanks for sharing that precious momnent with us.
My vote is for #1. Love the peacefulness of the picture and just how innocent it is. It is a beautiful shot! Great job Caron!!!
#1 looks like a professional postcard!
#1#1#1
BEAUTIFUL#1
#1 I CANT TAKE MY EYES OFF IT!
#1…brilliant work.
I vote for #2. It brought a tear to my eye. With this picture you can see the love of a father for his child. Beautiful says it all. This picture shows just how quickly our children grow up. I hope you frame this picture and display it proudly in your house. Simple love of a parent and a child, unending, unconditional, amazing! Thank you for making my day!!!
#4…reminds me of my precious little girl.
Vote for picture #2
I have to vote for #4! What a great picture! You can’t help but love babies in cute tutu’s!
I vote for pic #2
My vote goes to #4, I think it explains darkness and light to a ‘t’
My vote is for #1 Dancing on the beach. Caron you are amazing.
My vote is for #2. The tender love between parent and child is just awesome.
i vote for #3… just love the contrast of the black silhouettes on that amazing red sky!
Im voting for number 3 because of the red sky… light and dark makes me think black and white, but they used bright color. Good job everyone
I vote for #4, it is not an easy task to capture a good balance of ligth at your own house!, with the sun just before the window and the little girl with her baby arms, the dress!!, I think sussan kept all day waiting until she got the shot! =)
#1 is my favorite because we have been to a smilar beach and have watched my kids play in the water/beach and it’s magical-like the picture captures! Good job Caron
It’s a very tough choice, but I will vote for #3, the Red Sky. I love the bold color of the sunset the Ms Denu captured. It is very rare to see such a sunset.
I vote for number three. I just love the family feeling it invokes and reminds me of a lazy summer Saturday, hanging out with family and friends and then heading home late in the day maybe for some ice cream 🙂 It just makes me feel warm which is enhanced by the warm colors.
Usually I know right away which one I like the best, but this time is so hard! They are each so beautiful.
In the end, I had to choose by deciding which one would I most like to hang on my wall, and I decided on #5.
My vote is for #3. I love, love, love the red sky and the halo around the sun. I love how the 2 trees nearly perfectly frame the subjects. I also like that you’re able to see the family interactions.
I LOVE all of these pictures!! They each give a different emotion and story. I am going to go with #4 it just captures that sweetness of a baby girl!! I love the rolls, the ruffels and the bow. I also love the mystery as to what her expression is as she peers through the window!! Just beautiful!!!
I can’t get over that red. My vote has to go to #3. Stunning!
[…] It was over by the time I got the shot (though I didn’t know about it until afterwards anyway), but had I gotten the shot in time (and, of course, known about the contest, lol), I might have entered it into Me Ra Koh’s Darkness and Light Photo Contest! […]
#5 for me. There is nothing like the freedom and joy that comes from swinging on a swingset.
If Darkness to Light is what you’re looking for… #4 should be the winner BY FAR! Throw in her beautiful daughter (who cannot be trained to sit still – I might add) and you’ve got one heck of a photographer!!
#4…The silhouette gave this picture the extra touch, the contrasting black/white compliments the little one and her dress. Much luck!
I felt sooooooooooooooo good when i found my image on Meras blog titled by her “Red Sky of india” thanks you so much Mera For ur words and thanks to everybody for appreciating my picture.
My vote goes to #4…Simply Beautiful!
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