Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo to the Kim Komando RadioShack Photo Contest. Here are the 17 lucky winners! Congratulations!

Grand Prize - $2,500!

Title: Child of Autumn
Photographer: Katrina McMeans
From: Xenia, OH
Photo Location: Indian Mound Park: Cedarville, OH

Photographer's Description: A little girl walking through the leafy forest paths. Both the child and I were walking, in order to create the natural motion blurs.

Kim's Notes: This photograph is wonderful! It is beautifully framed and I love the emotional feel. The photo's depth and motion effect really made it stand out. I especially like the contrast and beauty of the young girl in a white dress against the darkness of the woods.		  

Second Place Winner - $1,000

Title: Boats
Photographer: Phil Johannes
From: Sonoma, CA
Photo Location: Crescent Lake, Washington.
The Olympic Pennisula.

Photographer's Description: I took this photo at Lake Crescent, Washington with a medium format camera, using color film and printed digitally. It was about mid-morning. The Olympic Mountains are in the background. It is simply a peaceful scene and a fisherman’s dream.

Kim's Notes: I like this photo because it is well thought out and well composed. It conveys a very distinct mood which is important in any good photo. I love the use of natural lighting and contrasting colors. Great work! 		 

Third Place Winner - $500

Title: Winter Splendor
Photographer: Tom Schultz
From:  Bloomington, IN
Photo Location: Behind his home

Photographer's Description:
We had a bad ice storm the day before this photo was taken. I crossed this railroad track on my way home and it looked really neat. The trees on both sides of the tracks and the sun shining through made a real neat corridor 		 
that I wanted to try to photograph. These tracks run behind my home, so I dressed for the trek, grabbed my camera and did a short hike and photo shoot. I got a few that I felt were really good, but this was the best.

Kim's Notes: This is a well done achromatic picture. It has good strong leading lines that converge at a focal point in the distance. I like the way the light reflects off of the ice on the leaves and on the rails. I especially like the contrast and depth of the photo. Great job!

Third Place Winner - $500

Title: Lunch
Photographer: Jena Pickerell
From: Troy, KS
Photo Location: Manhattan, KS restaurant

Photographer's Description: The photo was for an assignment for a trip so there are two other photos that go with it. I love showing perspective in photographs.

Kim's Notes: This picture reminds me of the painting “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper. The leading lines of the photo are incredibly strong. Everything leads our eyes to converge at one bright white point at the center of the photograph. It's very well done!


 

Third Place Winner - $500

Title: Greetings Earthlings
Photographer: Ellen Devenny
From:  Kings Mountain, NC
Photo Location: Ellen's home

Photographer's Description:
This shot is very comical looking. I found this praying mantis in my flower box outside my kitchen window. Naturally, supper had to wait while I ran and got my camera. The red glow of the background in this shot comes from a row of tomatoes sitting in
  
the kitchen window along with the light from inside.

Kim's Notes: This is such a great photo. I love the composition and the contrast of the warm and cool colors. It's great that the insect is looking right at the camera. It's hard to get people to even do that!

Runner-Up Winner - $200

Title: Black Anthers
Photographer: Brianne Dykema
From: Centennial, CO
Photo Location: Rose garden at her home

Photographer's Description:
I took a macro (close up) of this rose called a Betty Boop, in my mother's rose garden.

Kim's Notes: This could sell a lot of prints! It is beautiful and truly brings about a feeling of peace.

 
We got a lot of flower pictures but this one really had great contrast and lighting. Plus it was taken from a unique perspective. Well done!

Runner-Up Winner - $200

Title: Up Close With An African Elephant
Photographer: Edward Kehoe
From: Newport Beach, CA
Photo Location: San Diego Zoo

Photographer's Description:
The San Diego Zoo is one of my favorite places to see amazing animals. I loved the African Elephants and sat near the them with my camera ready for around two hours waiting for a beautiful
 
shot. Surely enough this elephant came up to check out who I was (that's my only guess). It wasn't until I got home to see the shot that I realized I had a new favorite photo.

Kim's Notes: This is a great photo and it's fun to look at! I've never been that close to an elephant so it is interesting to see the detail of this photo. It has good composition, is well exposed, and has a great use of thirds. Great work!

Runner-Up Winner - $200

Title: Wisdom
Photographer: Dan Hoffman
From: Phoenix, AZ
Photo Location: Kasungu, Malawi, East Africa

Photographer's Description:
I was working with an organization in Kasungu, Malawi. We worked with orphans and the people there are so amazing! This photo of a man in the village just grabbed me. He was

 
standing on a small pile of dirt with that unique look on his face; a face that showed years of work and toil, but also subtle joy. To me, he represents the beauty and history of all the Malawian people. There aren't many older people in Sub-Saharan Africa because of AIDS, but the ones you meet have a wisdom that is learned in a way that seems much more real than what I've experienced here in the states.

Kim's Notes: This is an amazing photo, and conveys so much emotion! You can really tell a lot by the man's eyes, and it can be hard to capture that in a photo. The depth of field is perfect and the lighting is great as well. Everything comes together to make a very interesting and intriguing photo.

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: Agave Cactus
Photographer: Eric Rawlings
From: Meridian, ID
Photo Location: Meridian, ID

Photographer's Description: Nature's beauty is striking and bold, yet simultaneously it can be delicate and serene. This image of a Blue Agave cactus captures nature’s dichotomy: The leaves' blue-green color and pointy barbs seem to leap out at the viewer 		 
almost menacingly, but the leaves’ textures and their wavy, snake-like ridges reveal the plant’s softer side. Ironically, the delicate ridges were created—and are now protected—by those very same threatening barbs.

Kim's Notes: Wow, I don't see many cactuses like this in Arizona. What a great shot! It is interesting and intense. I really like the coloring and 3 dimensional feel of the photo. I like that it is something so simple featured in such a beautiful way. Good job!

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: Mmmmmilk
Photographer: John Bohannon
From: Clarksville, VA
Photo Location: In the light of the front door

Photographer's Description:
Our daughter, Joelle Shaddai, was born on June 20, 2007. She was a bit jaundiced so we would strip her down and set her in the light of the front door after each feeding. She loved sleeping in the 		 
naked warmth of the summer sun. We noticed the great lighting and setting for a photo and caught this great contented yawn.

Kim's Notes: Everyone loves babies, but this is truly a great shot of one. The baby is adorable, the lighting is great and the depth of field is good as well. It stood apart from all of the other baby photos we received. Great photo!

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: A Day in the Park
Photographer: Jenn Bomar
From: Denver, CO
Photo Location: Undisclosed

Kim's Notes: This photo has a great feel to it. I especially enjoy the way the dark trees frame the man on the bench against the bright background. There are so many great elements to enjoy in the photo, from the shadows of the trees on the ground to the birds in the water. Very detailed 		 
and interesting!

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: A Cold Morning on the Farm
Photographer: Matthew McDowell
From: Hudson Falls, NY
Photo Location: Wait Road Farm, Hudson Falls.

Photographer's Description:
My father was leaving for work and I headed for school. We saw the sun coming up over the pasture across the lane. I had only a few moments to take the picture before the sun rose any higher and the fog burned off. 		 
The horse modeled his good side to the early morning admirers.

Kim's Notes: I was always told that one of the most important things in a good photograph is the right timing! This shot really displays that. The fog and silhouette lighting of the horse are perfectly timed for a great shot. I especially like the small details of the photo, like the shadow created in front of the horse and the lighting effects in the background. The fact that the ground was tilted so that the horse would be straight is also very interesting and adds to the effect. Nice dramatic shot!

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: Man on Hill
Photographer: Bill Ellis
From: Greensboro, NC
Photo Location: Undisclosed

Kim's Notes: Okay, I know this one is set up a little bit similar to the last one. I just loved the way the man is framed by the trees and surrounded by a beautiful warm light and fog. It makes me want to write a caption for it and frame it on my wall. This is a very nice photo that definitely speaks 1,000 words.






 

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: Reflection on Lake Louise
Photographer: Shari Joy Brechner
From: Coconut Grove, FL
Photo Location: Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Photographer's Description: Lake Louise is a breathtaking and scenic destination. On its shores are the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel, majestic mountains, and an incredible glacier. In the summer, the lake and surrounding area  		 
wonderful for hiking and canoeing. In the winter, the lake freezes over and becomes a Mecca for ice skating, sleigh rides and cross country skiing. My husband Bob and I visit Lake Louise often to enjoy hiking and photography.

Kim's Notes: This is a beautiful shot. The symmetry is great and the location is beautiful. I especially like the crisp, fresh feeling the shot gives. And the reflection in the still water is remarkable. The mood and coloring of the photo make this one of my favorites.

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: Phantom
Photographer: Michael Fischer
From: Melbourne, FL
Photo Location: Brevard Zoo

Photographer's Description:
I was lucky to have the right lighting and a cooperative Flamingo. Right away I thought of Phantom of the Opera.

Kim's Notes: This is a great

 
high-drama shot! I like the mixture of pink and white against the dark black background. It can be difficult to take photos of animals to say the least. This one is a great one!

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: Step Up
Photographer: Bob Garas
From: Clermont, FL
Photo Location: At home

Photographer's Description: I live in Florida and happened to come across a frog in the bushes. I picked it up and set it up in this shot with some daisies I had. Low and behold this great shot emerged from the bunch!

Kim's Notes: This one looks like it took a lot of planning. The composition is excellent. The lighting and exposure are perfect. I love the way the frog is stretched and complemented with the long stems of the flowers. It is very unique and striking! 		 

Honorable Mention - $100

Title: Thomas
Photographer: Jennifer Clutterbuck
From: Saint Petersburg, FL
Photo Location: St. Petersburg, FL

Photographer's Description:
My little brother Thomas was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta or OI. OI is a genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to produce strong bones. Some people refer to it as "brittle bone." His bones break much

 
easier than most people's and he has spent his life in and out of hospitals, casts and treatment rooms.

The thing is, from his spirit and his level of activity, you'd never know. Most of the time you'll find him tearing around the backyard, setting up a house for the latest frog he's captured or begging to go on a bike ride.

For this photograph, I climbed to the top of the swing set when he wasn't looking and called up to him as he was playing. I'm always amazed by how open and calm his eyes stay, even when someone's pointing a camera at him. 

Kim's Notes: We did not know the story behind any of these photographs when judging them. So to hear the story behind this one was truly heart-wrenching. This little boy is about the same age as my Ian and I couldn't imagine having to worry any more than I do about him playing or getting hurt. Thomas is so adorable and you can see the intensity and spirit of character in his eyes in this photo. That is why it struck me. I love the angle and the coloring as well. This is a photo, and a little boy, to be very proud of!