Your Best Shot - April 2008

	Click image to see winners gallery.

April 1st Place

Catch of the Day
This photo by 25-year-old Hector Martinez (who worked as a workshop coordinator for Pop Photo's Digital Days program in 2005) required two of the most important qualities a photographer can posses: patience and persistance. After studying the flight patterns of eagles, the New Yorker traveled to a remote area near Homer, AK, this past January and spent five hours in the cold to get his shot. After taking more than 1,500 "nice" images of eagles, the magic moment happened. The sky cleared just as this raptor landed with a meal. "I was only about 15 inches from his face, so I had to work very fast…these guys don't even take time to chew," he says. See his work at www.frozentimesphotography.com.

Tech info: Canon EOS-1D Mark II with 16–35mm f/2.8L Canon EF lens, and Canon Speedlite 550EX. Exposure, 1/250 sec at f/9, ISO 250. Sharpening and saturation adjusted in Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Your Best Shot Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How many photographs can I enter each month?
A: You may submit up to 5 digital images each month.

Q: Do you only accept "straight" photos, or can I manipulate my images?
A: Either is fine -- our name is Popular Photography & Imaging, after all -- but be sure to tell us what you did. We expect you to make your photos look as good as you can through ordinary techniques such as cropping, color correction, and contrast adjustments. If you're submitting a composite image, please inform us when you send it. But if you're more into photo illustration, check out our annual Digital Wizard contest instead.

Q: What kinds of photos win?
A: Our editors love all kinds of photography, so take a look at our web galleries of Your Best Shot winners and finalists. We want to see the best you have to offer. But we don't publish nudes, so keep it clean.

Q: Are there any special file requirements?
A: Yes, if accepted for publication, a 3MP or higher (9MB file size, uncompressed) image will be required. The bigger the better. Click here for more instructions. Also, you can help us keep track of your submission by naming your files after yourself (see the next question).

Q: How exactly should I name my files?
A: Please use your name as your file name, and if you're making submitting multiple files, number them consecutively. So if your name is Paul Jones and you're sending three photos, name your files pauljones1.jpg, pauljones2.jpg, and pauljones3.jpg.

Q: Can I send slides or prints?
A: No. Have them scanned and send us CD-ROMs or e-mail digital images only.

Q: Will you acknowledge receipt of my entry?
A: Sorry, but with the large volume of entries, that is not possible.

Q: Will my disks be returned?
A: Again, no.

Q: What can I win?
A: If your photo is selected for First Place you will receive $300; $200 for Second Place; $100 for Third Place; and $50 for Honorable Mention. And your photo will be published in Popular Photography & Imaging magazine and showcased in a gallery on the Pop Photo website.

Q: Are there any other chances to be selected?
A: Yes! Your photo could be selected for The Fix, a feature that shows how to make good pictures even better. In that case, you will receive $100. Also, some runner-up photos will be showcased on the Pop Photo website. There is no prize money for that.

Q: What information should I send with the photos?
A: Your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. Also, any technical information you can supply about the photo -- camera, lens, settings, film, software, and printer. Submitting a composite? Tell us! If you win and we need more material, we will contact you.

Q: Is there anything else I should know?
A: Yes! It's all in the "Official Rules," below...

OFFICIAL RULES: To enter, send a CD-ROM to Your Best Shot, POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY & IMAGING, 1633 Broadway, NY, NY 10019, or e-mail your best shots to YourBestShot@hfmus.com. Prizes: First Place, $300; Second Place, $200; Third Place, $100; Honorable Mention, $50. Up to 5 entries per month. Submission size for digital images: 50-75KB recommended, 100KB maximum, JPEG format only; if accepted for publication, an image file size of at least 9MB (uncompressed) will be required. Each file should be named with your full name. Multiple entries should be named with your full name followed by consecutive numbers. Photos not chosen may be selected for The Fix or showcased on PopPhoto.com website. Include your address, phone number, and e-mail, plus any pertinent technical information (camera, lens, exposure, film, filters, software). Submission grants POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY & IMAGING the right to publish selected photographs and descriptions in print, electronic, and other media, and for promotional and advertising use. You represent that your photographs are original and of your own creation, publication of the material will not violate the rights of any kind of third party, and you have provided all necessary permissions and releases. Due to the large number of entries, we cannot return your photos, and we cannot acknowledge receipt of them.