by John Hawkins, Association CEO
How to enter:
Do you love to take pictures? Submit your photos to the Picture Perfect contest. Once a month, the best pics are selected for publication. If your photo is published, you’ll receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card!. ENTER PICTURE PERFECT CONTEST
See Contest Rules below the pictures.
Theme: Gatherings
“This was truly a very special and unforgettable gathering: After 30 hours of exhausting travel to Greece, the place my girlfriend and I had originally booked was still not ready for us. However, neighbors immediately invited us to stay with them overnight and welcomed us – as this old shot clearly shows – with open arms. Since then, the girlfriend long ago has exited the picture, but whenever I’m looking at this image, it instantly transports me almost 40 years back in time to a very cherished and memorable moment.”
– Yves Didier, Airport Police
John’s comment: The best part of this is the nostalgia it brings you, Yves, and that’s better than any photo analysis I could ever give. Thanks for submitting your beautiful memories.
A gathering of clouds.
– Jill Weiszmann, Club Member
John’s comment: I love starting the New Year with nature at its awesome best, and your gathering of clouds at still another stunning sunset is a marvel of gentle glory. Happy New Year, Jill, and thanks for submitting.
“We had family visiting from out of state. We gathered together for a enjoyable time at the Long Beach Aquarium. That’s our grandniece up close to the seal!”
– Diana Felszeghy, LAPD
John’s comment: What an amazing shot, Diana. The dark foreground of gathered people leads my eye to the softly glowing blue of the tank is magical. But that pales next to your grandniece’s yearning to connect to the sea creature (perfectly framed in the open space) — and that creature seemingly reaching right back to her. Very touching and well-done, it’s already one of my favorites of the year … and it’s just begun!
“Her 18th birthday included the traditional Filipino dance ‘Tinikling.’ It’s a tricky maneuver where participants dance across moving bamboo sticks while hoping the leg doesn’t get caught when the sticks are slapped together. Many ankles died that night.”
– Dominique Daito, LAPD
John’s comment: I have never heard of Tinikling, Dominique … but maybe it was invented just so you could take this incredible photo. It’s a model of how to capture motion in a still frame. The smiles … the feet … the stick holders on the floor … and the low angle that makes it all possible … just awesome. Thanks for submitting!
“We are all gathered for as far as the eye can see for a bike ride – the Tour de Tucson … in, you guessed it, Tucson, Ariz.!”
– Carlos Aranda, LADWP
John’s comment: I like photos that put me right in the action, Carlos, and yours does that really well. The two planes in your photo – the upper image of the mountains, and the lower image of the participants – is a perfect study of contrasts — the challenge and the challenged. Let’s go!
“This picture was for my dad’s 90th birthday celebration. We were trying out my brother-in-law’s new 360-degree camera and thought we’d do a crazy photo instead of our usual standard smiling one. Hope this at least makes you laugh!”
– John Otoshi, Retired, LADWP
John’s comment: Sure did, John! You’re created the perfect “gathering,” one that never ends. (That’s the way all family gatherings should be, in my opinion.) I’ve not seen this approach before, and it works very well. Happy birthday, Mr. Otoshi!
Picture Perfect Contest Rules
- Please submit the full, original digital file (up to 3 megs file size).
- The contest is open to all Club members in good standing. Non-members are welcome to submit, but only Club members are eligible to win the monthly prize.
- Photos can be of any subject matter: vacation, portraits, families, landscapes, still lifes, pets, etc. Subject matter must be appropriate for Alive!
- If your photograph does not win, you are welcome to re-submit.
- Winners are chosen by Club staff. All decisions will be final.
- You must certify (if asked) that you indeed took the picture. No ringers!
- The contest is all in good fun: The Club cannot be responsible for delays in delivering Alive!, or for delays in the transmission of responses.
