Thank you to all the photographers that shared their best photos showing special effect such as glitter and flares in the Glitter And Flares Photo Contest with chances to win prizes from Jessica Drossin.

"I really cannot overstate how difficult this contest was to judge for me. I must have selected, then unselected, then sometimes selected again, a dozen different shots trying to determine my top 5 favorites. I think all the images showcase a high degree of skill in demonstrating their respective special effects. In the end, honing in on the specific challenge -- namely showcasing an effect -- guided my final decisions. I eliminated any photos, regardless of how good they might be, if the themed element wasn't a large part of what the entire image was constructed around. I also gave bonus points to concepts that I felt added a new and different take on the "glitter/flare" objective." - Jessica Drossin

A special thanks to our friend and professional photographer Jessica Drossin for her collaboration as a guest judge.  Jessica Drossin is an internationally-published, self-taught, fine art portrait photographer based in Los Angeles. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art (Painting), and has worked for video game companies such as Blizzard Entertainment.

People's Choice
Grand Jury Winner

"The image I feel MOST represents the theme of the challenge, and is therefore the winner of the "Glitter and Flares" contest is “Summer Rain” by Jenna_adele.  The glittery bokeh fanning the subject's face is pure magic. The soft flare in the background is subtle but integral to creating the mood here. The technical details themselves in this portrait are perfection. I love the play between what is detailed (her eyes, her freckles) and what is soft and blurred, including parts of her hair, the background, and certainly the glittery bokeh (raindrops?), artfully dappled around her face." - Jessica Drossin

Amateur Winner
Runner Up

"That flare is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen and makes this shot memorable. I like the rawness of the set up here. Nothing feels contrived. The shimmery details and patterning draw me in to the subject whose moody lighting and obscurred details, I find intriguing." - Jessica Drossin

Runner Up

"Lisa Holloway's “Golden Hour” is another of my favorite images. In it, Lisa not only utilizes breathtaking backlight, but more importantly (as far as this contest is concerned) uses glitter in an unusual, but very successful, way. I love the way the glitter is integral to tying the image together. We see it in the subject's crown, the details in her dress, and then floating down around her. Her expression and body language are fascinating, and while this image is very magical, the ambiguous emotion adds mystery, making me come back to it trying to understand it on another level." - Jessica Drossin

Runner Up

" I didn't see any glitter or flare, but the other "special effects" including the sparks and the glittery stars make this shot truly memorable. It also stands out for me because the concept feels fresh." - Jessica Drossin

 

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