• December 14th, 2012

The California Arts Council team made this photography competition possible, all the ViewBug staff is very grateful to everyone that collaborated in this initiative created to promote the arts! The CAC, a state agency, encourages public participation in the arts; helps build strong arts organizations; assists with the professional development of art leaders; promotes awareness of the value of the arts; and directly funds arts programs in California’s communities.

A special mention to the following sponsors:

WESTAF – The Western States Arts Federation is a regional non-profit arts service organization. WESTAF encourages the creative development and preservation of the arts regionally and through a national network of clients and alliances.

California Lawyers for the Arts - California Lawyers for the Arts (CLA) is a non-profit, statewide organization founded in 1974 to provide legal services to artists and members of the creative arts community.

Congratulations to northcoastgreg winner of a Holga camera, a ModStrap, a year of ViewBug PRO, 3 month subscription to ArtJob, a webinar by CLA plus exposure by CAC with photo The Fisherman taken in Woodley Island Marina in Eureka, CA

• December 11th, 2012

Thank you to all the participants for sharing their work in this unique photo contest and a special thanks to our friends at Beta Shell for their collaboration in this opportunity!

Congratulations to dpgoldphotos winner of the BETA Shell 5.140 case with photo Sunset Bay

“This is definitely a stunning image, which has all of the requirements of the contest and more: it’s clean, deep, emotional, colorful and yet still makes anyone stop by, be there and feel this dawn. For sure one of the finest shots in the competition!” – Vitaly

Congratulations to runner up dustd with photo Beach Garden

“Reminds me of some of the dusk evenings I spent at sea with my friends, so calm and yet amazing how nature plays with shadows, color and atmospheric variations. This great shot has it all! ” – Vitaly

Congratulations to FionaWlodarek People’s Choice and winner of the BETA Shell 5.120 case with photo Santa Barbara Marina

• December 10th, 2012

Congratulations to ALL the photographers that shared their Pier images in this photo contests! The collection within this gallery is simply stunning and once again, another SUPER hard job for the judges to select a winner from so many worthy images. Thank you to all the participants and a special mention to professional photographer Ray Bilcliff for his collaboration in the winner’s selection:

Congratulations to doubleconvex winner of the Keepsy Photo Book with photo Point Lonsdale

“I did not choose this for any other reason than it jumped out at me and grabbed my attention. It is an excellent photo in it’s technicality and in it’s composition. I like the way my eye was immediately guided to the very depth of the picture and I could still see the very clear details of the pier in the distance. I just love the misty effect of the slow shutter speed on the water.” – Ray

• December 8th, 2012

This photo contest was an extraordinary experience for all the ViewBug staff, all of us truly appreciate all the photographers that shared their art in this competition!

A special thanks to friend and photographer pioneer Skip Cohen (Photo Resource Hub) for his collaboration in creating and launching this amazing opportunity. The goal of this photography contest was to get images that best represent the following: “From Da Vinci to Rembrandt to Ansel Adams and George Hurrell there are hundreds of great artists who have planted a seed of inspiration and creativity for each of us. Here’s your chance to recognize their influence on your work, your skill set and the images you love to create.”  Luckily enough, ViewBug’s community is packed with today’s most talented photographers of all levels and the proof is within the collection of this contest. Be sure to browse the amazing photography in this gallery.

A BIG THANKS to X-rite photo and Resource Magazine for providing such amazing awards for the winners of this contest!

We are very grateful to Mary Virginia Swanson and Aurelie Jezequel for their participation as the judges for this contest selecting the following winners:

Congratulations to spitfire544 winner of the X-rite Color Munki and the publishing of this winning photo in Resource Magazine with photo “Soldier’s Memorial”

“This composition’s swirling geometric patterns combined with dramatic skies overhead draw us in to what appears to be a the gravestones of men and women who have served in our Armed Forces.  These elements, and the choice of black and white, add to the strong impression this image brings to the viewer.  For me, this powerful image lingers…one can not help but reflect deeply on those who have given their lives in service to our country.” – Mary

Congratulations to the following Runners Up and winners of the publishing of their winning photos in Resource Magazine:

jtjones with photo “Walk by”

“I love the quality of the B&W of this image and the fact that it hints at a story. There’s a mood to it, you can almost feel what this person may be feeling.” – Aurelie

AniaGajda with photo Forrest Fairy Queen

“This is a beautiful portrait: the light is gorgeous, the background unexpected but perfect for this scenario. The expression on this little girl’s face gives us a glimpse of her, of how intent she is to have a nice photo of herself in her fairy tale costume. The image captures some of the sweetness of childhood.” – Aurelie

“The young girl depicted in this photograph takes us back to our childhood, to the fables and fairytales of our youth.  The clothing she is wearing could be from the Victorian era or in fact be a contemporary costume designed to achieve an experience such as this for the viewer.  The frame is devoid of additional informational details, so we are intentionally left to ponder the direct gaze of the child, the era she exists in and the mythology she is immersed in.” – Mary

Congratulations to Teekzilla the People’s Choice and winner of year of ViewBug PRO with photo A Foggy Sunrise