Judge Harold put his trademark sense for detail into this competition and got some very high quality entries in return. Once more the noisesome  Krigl steps aside for Harold…




“I've reviewed the entries and my rulings are as follows








In first place:








Aussie was only the second entry in the contest and it immediately caught my eye. If this was going to be the standard then I knew all the others had some work to do to top it. I love the spotters feel in this shot and I really like how the flaps and landing gear catch the first light in the morning, which make them stand out from the rest of the aircraft and go really well with the clouds. I love how the sky colors range from deep blue at the top to a hazy purple on the horizon. The perspective in Aussie's shot is pleasant to look at as is the scenery (although it is default - there just isn't a nice Elmendorf package) and the use of the MAIW PAED package ...





In second place there’s:

Mictheslik!!




Another shot that has some impressive coloring and sharpness. I love the brooding clouds that go really well with the intimidating Raptor. I find this shot to be 'very Alaska'. The unusual angle might be a little difficult but very creative nonetheless. Although the shot is taken at a resonable altitude I feel that there could be a little more action on the ground. But I think it is very clever that Mic disguised the Langley markings on the Raptor ...


And in 3rd:


ELWOOD!



Fantastic sense of speed and an unusual but creative choice of aircraft! I really like the dynamics in this one. I love how the lines of the rain all seem to come together and the end of the runway; now that is what I find to be very clever use of perspective! Sweet and bright coloring which make the sky and the Marauder mix very well together. However, you broke a major rule of mine: cutting off an unnecessary piece of the aircraft!


…


A honorable mention goes to Krigl.



I think his use of a cruise ship is very creative and something we don't see every day. Apart from the lighting in his shot being very subtle (the ship is nicely lit while the dawn just peeking through those beautiful cloud layers), Roger is the only one that did not use an aircraft. I like to see a shot that doesn't (only) involve an aircraft every now and then, like in my 'Passtime at Kodiak' tread or the 'scenery only' shots such as my 'Kodiak Sightseeing' series ...


Unfortunately Alonso entered the contest too late but that does not take away the fact that I really like his shot. That is some serious Anchorage Action! I really like the coloring and depth, the clouds are very nice as is the overall composition of this shot. Not to mention that very realistic livery on the aircraft!

Too bad he entered too late because ... who knows


Thank you all who entered ... it was a pleasure looking at all your shots!

Harold"

….


So… Judge Harold has spoken! And has passed on the famous Judge’s Wig and Hammer to Aussiewannabe, who even now is sitting with furrowed brow and cobbling something up for tomorrow night. Thanks to all for taking part, and see you then.


Cheers

Krigl