GROUP A - SCORE: 92
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 94
Robert said the image created an immediate “wow” response through its combination of warm yellow and cool blue tones. On closer inspection, however, he felt there were too many silhouetted people distributed throughout the frame, causing the viewer’s attention to wander. He was also bothered by the way the horizon intersected the subjects’ heads. Reducing the number of people could create a clearer focal point.
Richard Waas – 90
Richard praised the timing of the photograph, particularly the position of the sun and the beautiful sky. He enjoyed the silhouettes of the people playing near the water and felt they contributed to the story. His only suggestion was to provide slightly more space on the right side of the composition.
GROUP A - SCORE: 87
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 85
Robert scored the image in the "good" range, commenting that it was a beautiful nighttime cityscape with strong overall appeal. He appreciated the composition and accepted the moon as part of the image without questioning its authenticity. His primary concern was the loss of detail in the brightly illuminated church, particularly the upper portion of the tower. He recommended better control of the highlights so that the moon remained the brightest and most dominant element while preserving architectural detail.
Richard Waas – 89
Richard shared many of Robert's observations, describing the image as pleasant and visually appealing. He felt the highlights on the church tower and several street lamps were overexposed, drawing attention away from the overall scene. He suggested reducing the highlights and recovering more detail in these bright areas. Richard also admired the star-filled sky and felt the image created a beautiful nighttime atmosphere, regardless of whether it was a composite.
Author: Shot handheld. Lunar image composited in. Edited in Lightroom and Luminar Neo
GROUP A - SCORE: 83.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 87
Robert shared the concern that the Ferris wheel felt crowded near the top of the frame. He understood that the photographer may have centered the horizon to balance the wheel with its reflection, but he would have preferred less visible detail in the trees. Darkening the sky and trees would reduce distractions and concentrate attention on the illuminated wheel and its reflection.
Richard Waas – 80
Richard liked the photograph, particularly the colorful reflection in the water. He suggested opening the shadows in the trees slightly, but his principal concern was the tight crop above the Ferris wheel. Additional space at the top would allow the subject to breathe and prevent it from feeling cramped.
Author: I took this image at Tropical Park in Miami. The lights on the Ferris Wheel were constantly changing so | took multiple exposures as the colors changed. I like this one the best of the shoot. I did minimal post processing with PS and LC.
GROUP A - SCORE: 90.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 86
Robert felt the theater and city scene were strong enough to stand on their own. In his opinion, the prominent stars and Milky Way were unnecessary and not believable above such a brightly illuminated urban location. He believed a simpler sky, similar to the less dramatic projected appearance, would have created a more convincing photograph.
Richard Waas – 95
Richard praised the sharpness, excellent exposure of the building, and careful control of the highlights. However, he agreed that the added Milky Way was too strong and distracting for a city scene. He recommended toning it down and removing a small distracting element near the upper-left portion of the building.
Author: Taken handheld, composited sky, edited with Lightroom and Luminar Neo.
GROUP A - SCORE: 80
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 76
Robert noted that the projected image looked stronger than the print, which lacked contrast. Because the title identified it as a portrait, he was particularly concerned about the lights appearing to emerge from the subject’s head. He also felt the wide-angle approach was not especially flattering and that the flat illumination on the face weakened the portrait.
Richard Waas – 84
Richard liked the general composition but agreed that the lights behind the subject’s head were distracting. He suggested moving the camera slightly to change their position. Although the subject was sharp, the lack of contrast and dimensional lighting made the image appear softer than it actually was.
Author: Taken with iPhone 13pro at Miami-Dade College Downtown Book Fair. Edited with Lightroom and Photoshop.
GROUP A - SCORE: 83.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 86
Robert agreed that the excessive dark sky compressed the building and made the composition feel squeezed. He also noticed a figure or “ghost” in the brightest window. He suggested reducing the brightness of some windows and slightly lowering the yellow saturation to create a more balanced nighttime presentation.
Richard Waas – 81
Richard liked the image’s sharpness and the balance between the building’s interior and exterior lighting. He also appreciated the blue tone behind the structure. His main recommendation was to crop away some of the empty dark sky, which he felt added little and weakened the composition.
Author: This image was taken at Villa Philmonte near Cimarron, New Mexico. While I was staying in the guesthouse I would go out each night and take low light shots of the villa and its surrounding buildings. The prominent building in this image is the guesthouse for the villa guests. I like the light coming from the four windows. The touch of blue twilight over the villa adds interest. I did some post processing using PS and LrC. My shadow could be seen on the side of the wall, and I removed that in post. did use a tripod when shooting this image.
GROUP A - SCORE: 90.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 86
Robert liked the photograph immediately but felt the numerous background lights competed with the central tower and illuminated signs. He suggested darkening the sky and reducing or removing some of the lights in the distant buildings. This would simplify the image and strengthen the leading lines toward the tower.
Richard Waas – 95
Richard believed the exposure was exceptionally well handled, with detail maintained in the signs, pedestrians, and surrounding buildings. He praised the leading lines toward the central tower. His principal criticism was architectural perspective: the central building appeared to lean slightly to the right and could benefit from vertical correction.
GROUP A - SCORE: 91
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 94
Robert praised the concept, exposure, presentation, and strong leading lines. He felt the image needed additional length at the bottom so the pier could lead the viewer more gradually toward the distant subject. He was also bothered by the horizontal line falling near the middle of the frame. He suggested that perspective or distortion adjustments might help extend the visual path.
Richard Waas – 88
Richard agreed that the bottom of the composition felt tight. More of the pier would strengthen the leading lines and fill the frame more effectively. He otherwise admired the exposure and considered it a beautiful image with a strong central idea.
Author: Taken with iPhone 13pro at Topsail Island, North Carolina. Edited in Lightroom
GROUP A - SCORE: 96.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 96
Robert considered this an exceptional photograph. He praised the composition, the subject’s expression, the softly blurred people in the background, and the story created by the moment. The lighting on the dress was beautifully controlled. His only criticism was the overly bright highlight on the top of the crown.
Richard Waas – 97
Richard completely agreed with Robert’s evaluation. He found the image outstanding and shared the view that the crown’s bright highlight was the only element preventing the photograph from receiving an even higher score.
GROUP B - SCORE: 81
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 82
Robert again emphasized that less can be more. He felt the three widely separated fireworks weakened the composition and caused the viewer’s attention to jump around the frame. Architectural detail was also lost in the dark roofs and tower, while the bright yellow lighting appeared excessive. He believed one well-placed firework near the tower, combined with better light control, would create a much stronger photograph.
Richard Waas – 80
Richard was uncertain whether the principal subject was the architecture or the fireworks. Although he felt the compositing was more convincing than in the earlier fireworks entry, his attention continually moved between the bursts and the buildings. He also wanted more visible detail in the tower, which blended into the black sky.
Author: This is a composite of Fireworks from this year and a photo from 2007. The image was sharpened ana denoised with Topaz.
GROUP B - SCORE: 80
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 80
Robert recognized the image as an artistic creation but was distracted by the relative scale of the subjects. The birds appeared disproportionately large compared with the giraffe, and the warm illumination on the birds did not match the cool light affecting the giraffe. He also remained uncertain about whether the matting helped the presentation.
Richard Waas – 80
Richard found the arrangement interesting and liked the colorful subjects against the dark background. However, the elements appeared to have been inserted or assembled digitally, giving the image the appearance of a composite or AI-created scene rather than a traditional night photograph. This made it difficult for him to evaluate within the challenge theme.
Author: I took this photo last December at the Luminosa display at Jungle Island. This was one of my favorite photo: from the evening. The figures are built on frames that are wrapped with the "skin" and lit from the inside. The rest of the scene is an array of LEDs to simulate the grass. I took this photo handheld with a 20mm lens. I used Lightroom to remove some cables and other distractions from the background.
GROUP B - SCORE: 84
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 88
Robert felt the underlying photograph of the illuminated buildings was excellent. He praised the composition and the successful capture of all the lights on the Colony Hotel. However, he believed the added fireworks weakened an otherwise very strong cityscape and became the element that prevented the image from scoring higher.
Richard Waas – 80
Richard liked the colors and architectural lighting and was pleased to see all the building’s illuminated letters working. He questioned the treatment of the fireworks, particularly the central burst, which appeared somewhat unnatural in the print. Despite that concern, he considered the underlying nighttime scene very attractive.
Author: A Composite with fireworks from this July 4 and an older photo.
GROUP A - SCORE: 95
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 95
Robert and Richard both placed this photograph in the Superior range. Robert praised the presentation and overall impact but felt the nearly square format made the scene appear slightly tight. He suggested a wider, more panoramic presentation with additional space around the rocks. He also felt the yellow illumination was somewhat exaggerated.
Richard Waas – 95
Richard fully agreed with Robert’s observations. He shared the view that the image was superior but could benefit from a wider presentation and slightly more restrained yellow illumination.
Author: Arches National Park - Light Painting on foreground.
GROUP B - SCORE: 87.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 88
Robert felt the print itself was considerably stronger than its presentation. The vivid colors, exposure, and printing were all successful, but the mat crowded the subjects and cut into portions of the figures. He recommended a simple black mat with a narrow border, which would allow the colors to stand out without competing with the image.
Richard Waas – 87
Richard praised the exposure and colors but found the matted presentation much too tight. Parts of the subjects’ arms were cut off, while the projected version appeared to contain more breathing room. He suggested rematting or presenting the image in a wider format so the figures would not feel confined.
Author: Photo taken at Zocalo Plaza Mexico City, celebrating the Day of Dead.
GROUP A - SCORE: 89
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 90
Robert greatly enjoyed the photograph and found its nighttime atmosphere believable. He was not concerned about the lack of detail in the deep shadows because it suited the scene. He suggested cropping some of the lower portion and presenting the image in a wider panoramic format. His only presentation concern was the very bright white border.
Richard Waas – 88
Richard admired the use of blue tones in what otherwise felt like a monochromatic image. He agreed that the silhouetted mountains did not require additional detail and praised the strong contrast. Like Robert, he believed a panoramic crop would be effective and felt the white mat immediately surrounding the print attracted too much attention.
GROUP B - SCORE: 92.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 97
Robert placed the image in the Superior category. He admired the crop, the surrounding darkness, the excellent exposure control, and the visible texture in the stonework. Although he felt the very white mat was not the best choice, he did not allow it to overshadow what he considered an outstanding nighttime architectural image.
Richard Waas – 88
Richard also rated the photograph in the Excellent range. He praised its sharpness and color and liked the subject very much. His personal preference would have been to crop a little more from the top, allowing the illuminated structure to appear larger and more pronounced within the frame.
Author: This is not the Parthenon. This is another famous temple located at the end of Cape Sounion about one hour SE of Athens. This is one of the best-preserved temples dedicated to Poseidon in antiquity. I took this photo a year and a half ago from my hotel balcony, which I selected purposedly because of the view. The hotel was about a mile away from this temple. I used a tripod and a shutter release for this 10-second exposure then I used Lightroom to balance out the highlights. For the Greek Mythology aficionados, I will say that no, Odysseus would not have been welcome at this temple unless he came with a bunch of gold and animals to sacrifice in order to make amends. Enjoy!
GROUP B - SCORE: 94
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 94
Robert loved the photograph and its dramatic rendering of the illuminated Miami bridge. He would have preferred a darker sky and slightly greater control of the lighting to create stronger contrast and richer color. He also recommended removing one distracting bright light near the center of the reflection.
Richard Waas – 94
Richard praised the dramatic bridge, excellent composition, and successful red, white, and blue illumination. He felt the colors and highlights were exceptionally well controlled and enjoyed how the photograph represented Miami’s changing modern skyline.
Author: This image captures a vibrant intersection of light and water just after an evening rainstorm passed. Stepping into the theme of night photography, I was instantly drawn to the brilliant red, white, and blue arches as they illuminated the settling darkness. To capture the full impact of these colors, l used a tripod and carefully composed the frame through the viewfinder to balance the massive bridge structure with the distant skyline. The brief, slow shutter speed allows the patriotic light to bleed into the moving water, preserving the natural texture of the bay while showcasing the glowing rhythm of the city.
In Lic, highlights were carefully controlled to protect the saturation of the neon bridge lights, while the deep shadows and midtones were gently balanced to maintain a clean, high-contrast night environment without losing the structural detail of the city.
GROUP A - SCORE: 79.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 79
Robert liked the idea, colors, and presentation but felt the technical execution of the sky replacement significantly weakened the result. He also found the composition directionless, with the palm trees simply occupying the frame rather than forming a purposeful arrangement. He recommended refining the masking and developing a stronger visual shape or relationship among the trees.
Richard Waas – 80
Richard focused on the sky replacement and the difficulty of masking dark palm fronds against a bright purple background. Visible light-colored halos remained around many of the leaves and branches. These edges were especially noticeable in the print and revealed the digital replacement.
GROUP A - SCORE: 93.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 97
Robert placed the image firmly in the Superior category. He praised the composition, the framing of the illuminated rock formation, and the balance between the foreground and the Milky Way. Although he joked about not being experienced in photographing stars, he found the entire presentation extremely enjoyable and effective.
Richard Waas – 90
Richard described it as excellent night photography. He admired the lighting used to reveal the foreground rock and found the Milky Way beautifully captured. His only suggestion was to introduce slightly more contrast into the sky so that the celestial details would become even more pronounced.
Author: Taken at Arches National Park. Some light painting on the rocky structure
GROUP B - SCORE: 87
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 92
Robert responded very positively to the photograph, praising its composition, concept, title, and smaller print presentation. He felt that printing the image at a modest size suited the quiet scene. His primary concern was the intense illumination on the right side of the wall, where the highlights appeared to lose control and detail.
Richard Waas – 82
Richard liked the subject but found the bright light on the right extremely distracting. Each time he attempted to examine the building, his attention was pulled back to that illuminated area. Better control of that light would allow the architectural subject to become more dominant.
Author: Nighttime photo showing the edge of a building illuminated by a street lamp just outside the frame
GROUP B - SCORE: 91.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 96
Robert felt this familiar subject had been interpreted exceptionally well. He praised the side placement of the guitar, the precise crop, the black-and-white treatment, and the subtle blue tone visible on the strings. He also liked the clean white presentation and found the complete image highly enjoyable.
Richard Waas – 87
Richard liked the graphic quality of the subject and felt it worked very well in black and white against the dark sky. Although he scored it highly, he sensed that something was missing from the photograph but could not identify a specific technical or compositional problem.
Author: 1/30 SPEED, F8, ISO 800
GROUP B - SCORE: 93
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 98
Robert considered this nearly a perfect photograph. He praised the presentation, exposure, illuminated sign, visible restaurant interior, and retained detail in the chairs and surrounding areas. He found very little to criticize and commended the photographer for maintaining detail across such a broad range of nighttime tones.
Richard Waas – 88
Richard also regarded the image as beautiful and exceptionally well composed. He suggested reducing the brightness of the sign very slightly and opening the shadow detail in the foreground bench. Beyond those minor adjustments, he found the photograph highly successful.
Author: I created this image during a late-night walk, using the ambient neon lighting of the street to illuminate the scene naturally. The main technical challenge was managing the high contrast between the deep nighttime shadows and the piercing pink and purple glare. The story behind it is simple: it is an intentional study of the exact moment a busy night ends. I wanted to freeze that brief, peaceful window of time where the city feels entirely empty turning an ordinary outdoor patio into a moody, atmospheric portrait of urban solitude. 3 Legged Thing Tripod was used and post-processed in LrC.
GROUP A - SCORE: 92.5
JUDGES: Robert Lino and Richard Waas
Robert Lino – 90
Robert acknowledged that the scene was extremely busy but felt the composition successfully organized the activity. The foreground booth and the well-exposed people on the right provided clear subjects, while the fair formed the surrounding environment. He suggested toning down the bright white lights and upper background so attention would remain on the foreground. He considered it a strong composition and presentation of a difficult scene.
Richard Waas – 95
Richard liked the elevated perspective and felt the image told a complete story of people enjoying the carnival. Although the upper portion was crowded with lights and structures, the open area and people in the lower-right corner helped clarify the setting. He praised the exposure, sharpness, and storytelling and suggested subtly darkening the upper background to create greater depth.
If you attended last Thursday's July 9th meeting and would like to review the material—or if you were unable to join us—you can download the presentation below. The evening began with a presentation by Pilar and Rolando, who shared essential techniques, practical tips, and creative insights into Night Photography. We hope these slides will help you refine your approach, inspire your creativity, and strengthen your final submission.
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