They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Based on the phenomenal entries in this year's Photo Contest, I must agree. A record number of brilliant photographers submitted their art to our competition. Many captured nature at its best in settings close to home, filling the frame with breathtaking wonder. To each of you who entered, I offer my congratulations. The expert level of submissions made evaluating the images a tough job for our judges, who took great pains to designate picture-perfect winners.

 

– Debra Simon

 

 

 

 

Grand Prize
"Purple Water Plant Enjoying Its Reflection"
By Jill Grosman of Cary

Prize: Premium Leather Accessories by Ezra Arthur
Ezraarthur.com • Value: $335

 

 

 

 

 

First Prize
"Gee...I Wonder What He Did Wrong?"
By Charles M. Dellerman of Durham
Prize: Embr Wave
Embrlabs.com • Value: $299

 

 

 

 

 

Second Prize
"Eye Spy"
By Robin Gaitens of Apex
Prize: SodaStream's Aqua Fizz
SodaStream.com • Value: $180

 

 

 

 

Third Prize
"Watching You"
By Dana Parikh of Raleigh
Prize: myCharge's AdventureUltra with PowerCord, Go iPhone and myFlipShade
myCharge.com • Value: $158

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Prize
"Breath of Fire"
By Sally Gouw of Durham
Prize: Motorola Talkabout T480 Radios
Motorolasolutions.com • Value: $140 (for two)

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth Prize
"Solitude at Moraine Lake"
By Sudha Soora of Cary
Prize: Napier Sports Cove
Napieroutdoors.com • Value: $140

 

 

 

Honorable Mention

"Barn Doorway in Old Salem"
By Shannon Craven of Chapel Hill
Prize: Kwilt Shoebox Plus
Kwiltshoebox.com • Value: $119

 

 

 

Staff Favorites
(in alphabetical order)

 

"Reflections"
By Eileen Carey of Raleigh

 

"Hot Chocolate Kind of Day"
By Katherine Gaitens of Apex

 

"Lincoln"
By Mandy Pierce of Hertford

 

"Sunflowers"
By Roberta Rose of Raleigh