Reader photos show the best of the Northwest

Grand Prize Winner

Photographer: Janna Templin, Seattle

Photo taken: Dec. 23, 2008, along California Avenue, West Seattle

Photographer's description: "Chris Templin launching off a jump above Alki Beach. A jump planned for years but never had enough snow."

Judge's comment: This year's winner took planning, timing and, of course, snow to bring it all together, making for a stunning moment. Capturing the skyline in the background was an added bonus and locater — because who would have believed there was ski jumping in West Seattle? The picture is fun and makes one wonder, "How did they do that?" Very nice — exciting, as well as an entertaining image.
- Barry Fitzsimmons, director of photography for The Seattle Times

Honorable Mention: Northwest fun and adventure

Photographer: Claudia Peterson, Yakima

Photo taken: Aug. 6, 2009, at Ocean Shores

Photographer's description: "Family camping trip to Ocean Shores. Everyone helped in digging the hole: Luke, who is 8 years old, Nick who is 6, and our family dog, Ryker, who is 2."

Judges' comment: "Moving up above her subjects to take this picture was a great creative choice by the photographer. Changing your vantage point can transform a seemingly mundane moment into a work of art."

Honorable Mention: Northwest fun and adventure

Photographer: Aarene Storms, Marysville

Photo taken: Jan. 18, 2009, at Pilchuck Tree Farm, Arlington

Photographer's description: "Coming out of the dark woods into the sunlight, Hana turned her head toward my horse just as I pushed the button. Taken with a Kodak Easyshare 7.1."

Judges' comment: "Great composition and the perfect moment came together to make this image mysterious and cinematic."

Honorable Mention: Northwest fun and adventure

Photographer: Truman Buffett, Seattle

Photo taken: July 29, 2009 (when the temperature reached a record 103 degrees in Seattle), at Madrona Beach Park

Photographer's description: "On the hottest day that Seattle's ever seen, people packed Madrona Beach Park seeking relief from the heat."

Judges' comment: "The photographer preserved a slice of life on a historical day with great composition and clarity."

Honorable Mention: Northwest flora and fauna

Photographer: Justin Nollette, Everett

Photo taken: March 21, 2009, aboard Edmonds-Kingston ferry

Photographer's description: "This was taken by leaning over the side of the ferry, snapping a blind shot. Captured a perfect picture of our wonderful dog, Nilly, and her love for the water."

Judges' comment: "Sometimes it's beneficial to take a risk such as holding a camera below your usual line of sight to capture a creative shot. The photographer did a great job of maximizing this moment to its greatest potential!"

Honorable Mention: Northwest flora and fauna

Photographer: Alan Estep, Shoreline

Photo taken: Sept. 12, photographer's backyard

Photographer's description: "My wife loves to grow sunflowers in our backyard. This year the squirrels started getting into the act by climbing up and eating the seeds. Sometimes the squirrels hang from the flower as they eat the seeds. I waited until I could get this shot from my bedroom window, using a Canon 50D with 300 mm lens."

Judges' comment: "Seeing this critter hang upside down during his meal is a unique moment that may have been disturbed if the photographer had attempted to use a shorter lens and moved too close to the subject."

Honorable Mention: Northwest flora and fauna

Photographer: Jeff Seldomridge, Curtis, Lewis County

Photo taken: Dec. 5, 2009, near the photographer's house

Photographer's description: "In Boistfort Valley, a cedar waxwing stopped by to get a quick snack. Taken with a Nikon D300s digital SLR and a Nikkor 300mm AI-S F4.5 lens, at ISO 800, 1/800 second at F16."

Judges' comment: "The dynamic contrast between the bird's warm color and the bright blue sky highlights the pure elegance of this wild creature. Angles draw the eye to the subject, and the bright berries and ice crystals add texture and depth."

Honorable Mention: Northwest scenics

Photographer: Sopon Supamangmee, Shoreline

Photo taken: Feb. 2, 2009, from Carkeek Park, Seattle

Photographer's description: "It was a beautiful day in Seattle. I went to Carkeek Park and shot a couple pictures. It was about 15 minutes after the sun was down. Taken with Canon 40D."

Judges' comment: "This image looks like a painting due to the photographer's use of digital technology. The motion of the water adds a calm, serene effect to the scene, and applying a wide crop emphasizes the landscape."

Honorable Mention: Northwest scenics

Photographer: Toni Thomas, Seattle

Photo taken: Aug. 30, 2009, on Elliott Bay

Photographer's description: "Two sailboats glided on the lower side of the ribbon of fog with the Space Needle above. When one of the boats lined up directly under the Needle, I took the shot with a Canon PowerShot SD900."

Judges' comment: "When you witness a unique moment unfolding in front of your camera, timing is everything."

Honorable Mention: Northwest scenics

Photographer: Steve Piccolo, Seattle

Photo taken: May 30, 2009, at Deception Pass Bridge

Photographer's description: "Fog streaming in from the Strait of Juan de Fuca envelopes the bridge and the surrounding cliffs."

Judges' comment: "The scale of this scene is grand thanks to the photographer's decision to pull his lens back and crop the picture to include the shrouded strait below. With this visual approach, the Deception Pass bridge seems to reach out of the sky and return tiny cars to safety."