50+ Photos That Push The Limits: Photo Contest Finalists

Thank you to all the photographers that shared their photos pushing their own limits in this photo contest with chances to win: HTC One M9 + SanDisk Ultra 200GB microSDXC!

The winners are in and this is the overall thought of the guest judge: "I have to say, this is not an easy grouping to choose from. There are some amazing photos, all great examples of photographic passion from which to choose “the best”. They are all winners on their own." - David Guy Maynard

A special thanks to friend and professional photographer David Guy Maynard for his collaboration as a guest judge. David is an award winning, internationally published photographer working in Fashion, Beauty, Event, Fine Art, Nature and General Commercial photography. His work has been in numerous magazines and publications around the World, as well as being featured on respected web based business sites, in galleries, and exhibits.

Thanks to the storage space of the world’s largest microSDXC card, you’ll be able to save every picture you snap on the phone’s stunning 20MP camera.Experience this awesome combination for yourself when you enter for a chance to win a new HTC One M9 and a 200GB SanDisk microSD card.

Congratulations Grand Jury Winner "Magic Mountain" by MargaretN

"From the pushing the limits perspective, just getting there must qualify. But the end result pushes this amazing image over the top for me. The exposure is smack on in what can be considered a very difficult scene to balance. The whites have detail intact as do the darker areas. Composition draws the eye appropriately to the meeting of peak and sky, where you get not only a sense of massive altitude, but an almost ethereal sense of earths fingers reaching into the heavens. Truly beautiful, and expertly balanced." - David Guy Maynard

Congratulations Honorary Mention "Climbing at Cinque Torri" by jamesrushforth

"If capturing a well balanced, and wonderfully composed image while hanging from the side of an extremely high cliff face isn’t pushing the limits, I am not sure what would be. Physical challenges aside, this image speaks well for itself. The composition, color and light balance work together to produce a captivating photo that both tells a story, and pleases the eyes." - David Guy Maynard

Congratulations Runner Up "Dive, Dive, Dive" by Jamie-MacArthur

"A different set of limits are being pushed in this fantastic example of masterful camera control. Proper focus, frozen and tack sharp fast moving subject at what is clearly high magnification, make this image stand out. As any bird photographer will tell you, there must be at least some element of patience and luck in timing with any extraordinary in-flight photo. But having the skills to catch that moment at optimal levels is the deciding factor. This is decidedly well done, majestic, and quite beautiful. " - David Guy Maynard

Congratulations Runner Up "Green parrot snake - Costa Rica" by JimCumming

"Colorful, engaging, and beautiful. The somewhat shallow DOF works magic in this image, drawing the eye to the sharp and focused business end of this lovely creature. Well chosen angle, and impeccable timing make this a fantastic action nature image. Well done." - David Guy Maynard

Congratulations People's Choice "Morning Thunder" by Riotan