"March 2025 Photo Contest Image Critique"

The results are in! Our March 2025 Wildlife Photography Contest invited members to submit images that celebrated the power of color in the natural world.

Once again, photographers across all skill levels delivered a wide range of vibrant, thoughtful, and visually striking images.

This month’s live critique was led by Gail Bisson, an award-winning photographer and experienced contest judge. The session offered valuable insight into what makes an image stand out—and what small changes can make a big difference.

💥 What the Judges Looked For

The theme, “Color,” asked photographers to use color intentionally—not just as a visual detail, but as a central part of the image’s strength.

Judges evaluated each entry based on:

• Creative use of color — Purposeful choices in hue, tone, and contrast that support the image’s story
• Subject-background relationship — Scenes where color enhances the subject without overwhelming it
• Clean composition — Simple, balanced framing that avoids clutter or distraction
• Natural editing — Processing that respects the original light and color without pushing beyond realism
• Theme alignment — Images that clearly interpret color as a key visual element—not just incidental

🔍 What Gail Covered in the Critique

During the critique, Gail shared in-depth feedback on selected non-winning entries. Her commentary focused on key areas of growth for photographers at all levels:

• Head angle and eye contact: Why even a small turn of the head can elevate engagement and connection
• Crop and composition: How slight adjustments to framing can lead to stronger balance and storytelling
• Perch selection: How the size, shape, or material of a perch can impact an otherwise strong image
• Post-processing accuracy: The risks of heavy-handed masking, excessive darkening, or visible vignetting
• Heat shimmer and image sharpness: How environment and atmosphere affect image clarity and contest viability
• Editing within contest rules: What’s allowed (dodging, burning) versus what crosses the line (cloning, artificial blur)
• Final-round judging: How personal taste and subtle differences determine the winner among technically strong images

💬 What Members Said

• “I always learn so much from these critiques—thank you.”
• “Now I understand why head angle matters so much.”
• “Thanks for explaining the dodging and burning rules!”
• “The level of photography this month was unreal.”
• “I didn’t even notice that second bird in the background until it was mentioned.”

🏆 March 2025 Contest Winners: “Color”

🟢 Beginner Category

Winner: In Plain Sight by Nicholas Pino
→ A striking portrait of a Common Yellowthroat using soft, harmonious tones. The judges praised the bold left-facing placement and dreamy light.
View the winning image →

🟠 Intermediate Category

Winner: A Splash of Violet, A Dash of Mystery by Naidu Kumpatla
→ An Amur Falcon framed in delicate purple wildflowers. Judges highlighted the color harmony, soft light, and excellent field technique.
View the winning image →

🔵 Advanced Category

Winner: Snow Geese at Sunrise by Alan Murphy
→ A vibrant, layered composition of snow geese against a dramatic sunrise. The image was praised for its color, scale, and perfect timing.
View the winning image →

Congratulations to this month’s winners, and thank you to everyone who submitted their work. The creativity and commitment from our community continue to raise the bar each month.