SECOND PLACE GROUP A - SCORE 95

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 94 | Robert Suarez 96

THIRD PLACE GROUP A - SCORE 95.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 97 | Robert Suarez 96

Photographed with a Fujifilm X-H2S and a 65mm Laowa macro lens in my home studio, this image captures the intricate beauty of the inside of a tulip. To achieve optimal lighting, I employed three Adaptalux lights designed for macro photography: one as a backlight and two with diffusers for the front. Given the extremely shallow depth of field, I utilized Helicon Focus to Focus Stack eight images. The final RAW image was processed using On1 Photo Raw and Nik Efex Pro. I hope you like it.

FIRST PLACE GROUP B - SCORE 92.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 89 | Robert Suarez 96

Louis Philippe rose from my garden. One of the easiest roses to grow in South Florida. Taken 2/17/2024 with Nikon D3400. 1/3 sec at f/8.0, ISO 200, 35mm.

SECOND PLACE GROUP B - SCORE 89

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 91 | Robert Suarez 87

Taken with Nikon D3400 on 7/8/2024. 1.6 sec at f/8.0 ISO 100, 18mm

THIRD PLACE GROUP B - SCORE 89

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 91 | Robert Suarez 87

Taken in 2019

 GROUP B - SCORE 87

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 87 | Robert Suarez 87

Photo Taken at Fruit and Spice Park

 GROUP A - SCORE 95

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 95 | Robert Suarez 95

1/60 sec f/11 24mm ISO 100 (RF 24-70 lens)

GROUP A - SCORE 92

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 90 | Robert Suarez 94

I titled this image "Bee Calm" as a play on words. "Bee" sounds the same as "be" when spoken. So the title invites you relax and be calm. When I look at this image it gives me the feeling of peace and tranquility, thus the calm part of the title. The Bee part of the title is, well, obvious. The image was taken on a walk in a neighborhood. Someone had planted the road verge in front of their house with a plithora of wild flowers. I do not know the name of this flower. If you know write a comment. I would like to know.

GROUP A - SCORE 89

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 90 | Robert Suarez 88

GROUP A - SCORE 88.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 80 | Robert Suarez 97

Everglades National Park

GROUP B - SCORE 86.6

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 86 | Robert Suarez 87

GROUP A - SCORE 86.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 86 | Robert Suarez 87

60-600 @ 133 mm; f/25; ISO 1/8 s; ISO 100
ICM (Intentional Camera Movement)
I moved jus t enough to give a sense of a gentle fall breeze.

GROUP B - SCORE 86

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 87 | Robert Suarez 85

GROUP A - SCORE 93

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 98 | Robert Suarez 88

GROUP A - SCORE 92.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 90 | Robert Suarez 95

Double Ghost Orchids in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve

GROUP A - SCORE 93.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 90 | Robert Suarez 97

NIKON D850
F 4.5
Time 40
ISO 800
Focal Length 105
Developed in LR

GROUP B - SCORE 87

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 86 | Robert Suarez 88

Sony RX100M7

 GROUP A - SCORE 91

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 89 | Robert Suarez 93

GROUP A - SCORE 90

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 90 | Robert Suarez 94

GROUP A - SCORE 95

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 92 | Robert Suarez 98

This image was taken on a morning walk just at sunrise. I liked the leading line that the trunk's shadow was casting. the tree was back lit so I use LRc adjustments to bring out some color in the foliage and ground cover. I liked the fact that this tree was all by itself in a large mostly vacant park. It gives the feeling of solitude. I find the warm golden hour colors inviting. It reminds me of Joyce Kilmer poem "Trees."

"Trees" (1913)

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree

 GROUP A - SCORE 92

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 89 | Robert Suarez 95

GROUP B - SCORE 85

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 92 | Robert Suarez 86

Taken at Fairchild Tropical Gardens
Nikon D3400, 70mm, f4, 1/800s, ISO 400

 GROUP B - SCORE 86

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 85 | Robert Suarez 87

GROUP A - SCORE 92.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 90 | Robert Suarez 95

NIKON D850
1/500
ISO 800
Lens Baby Velvet 54
Developed in LR and Topaz

GROUP B - SCORE 83.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 80 | Robert Suarez 87

GROUP B - SCORE 88.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 9 | Robert Suarez 87

Photo Taken at Fruit and Spice Park

GROUP A - SCORE 88.5

JUDGES: Boris Gabay 88 | Robert Suarez 89

1/200 sec F/4 ISO 2000 24mm (RF 24-70 F2.8 L IS USM lens) Canon Eos R5 - Shot hand held hiking in the California Redwoods