The 1st Round Results of the Winter Contest…you get to vote one more time!
I’m amazed at the overwhelming response to the contest! It was fun to see everyone pick their fav’s and write their kind words!
OKAY! So, I was going to pick the top five but we had a three way tie for fifth place so I’m including all of them in the final round! Here’s your role as judge:
-Pick the picture you like the best!
-AND the picture that captures the season!
I’ve taken all the pictures into Lightroom and made some changes to the originals. So this has become a photo contest/slash photography learning session.
1. Rachel Greenhouse (Original Photo)
I took this image into Lightroom and added contrast, boosted the red, got rid of some of the haze. It’s good to have a little white and black in your image to help make it “pop!”
2. Cheri Patton (Original Photo)
I didn’t do a ton to this picture but, I did add some fill light so that we could see the whole face of the baby. I also moved the exposure up a bit to lighten the whole picture.
3. Holly Gantenbein (Original Photo)
I really liked the above picture and didn’t really want to mess with it but, just for fun a desaturated the colors a little and added contrast. I thought it gave it a mystical look!
4. Becky Van Hofwegen (Original Photo)
I cropped out the yellow light in the background to enhance the black night and keep the focus on the kids. I punched the colors and added more warm tones too.
5. April Sauers (Original Photo)
I wanted to make this a winter wonderland shot! So, I lightened the whole picture, got rid of the distracting black on the top (she’s now surrounded in white) and desaturated the color.
6. Jodi Keller (Original Photo)
Sometimes you can have too much happening in a picture so, I cropped it to focus in on the featured moment. Tip: It’s important when cropping to keep the hands and feet in the shot.
7. Kacy Johanson (Original Photo)
I didn’t do much to this image…I like it too much as is. Normally I’m totally against flash but it made a cool affect with the snow flakes. I lighten the image a little so you can see more detail.
OKAY! Now that these images have been changed a little we’re going to vote again! Comment on the changes, the reason you like your choice the best, why it fits the criteria or anything else! We’ll vote for two days…so we’ll close out on Saturday at midnight!
This is going to make a great extra Christmas gift for one of our finalists!
Happy Voting!
www.noemiphotography.com
December 20th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Still liking #1. The sharper image in nice, makes it look crisp. But truthfully, I like the hazy look better. It just makes me think of coming home for the holidays!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
#5 - april sauers. lovely.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I still vote for #5! I loved the original photo, but do like how the background is lightened in the touched up photo! Looks like a studio picture!
December 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I vote for #5. I like the winter wonderland changes and this picture makes me want to dive into this first snowbank I see.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I really like number 1, because when I think of Christmas that is what I envision in my head… that picture warms my heart and makes me think of a cozy family evening with a fire going sitting around enjoying the season!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I vote for picture #5. It really captured the excitement of winter from the perspective a child. We complain about the snow - they love everything about it!! I actually liked the color contrast of the bright pink against the white of the original photo better than the washed out colors of the re-mix - but thought the cropping of the re-done photo was better. Thanks!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
#5 - April!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Cute picture, I vote # 5
December 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I like the contrast with the snow and her coat, its a good winter fun in the snow picture. I like the black gone, however I like the original alittle better as far as her face looks because her cheeks are rosey.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
#5 What a cutie!
December 20th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I’m stickin with number 7. It’s my fave. Happy Holidays everyone!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
I like number 5 too — adorable girl by the way!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
#1. So cozy and homey!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I vote for #1–it makes me want to hurry inside the house, ’cause I know there has to be a fire going in the fireplace and hot chocolate with whipped cream and Christmas music playing–I love it!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
# 6 the expressions on those babies faces says it all.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
LOVE #4. Three little boys all bundled up… it captures the season cause little boys ALWAYS want to be outside… even when it’s frigid! I especially like how you edited out the reflector in the top corner– photo editing is amazing.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
#5
December 20th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
i love number 5 and especially what you did with it!
December 20th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I am voting for #1
December 20th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Number 7
December 20th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
I vote for #1. It’s magical even to me, and I live there!
But in terms of the changes you made, I think that #5 is the most dramatic and positive. Thanks also for the tip on cropping; I have always wondered about that, and this will be a guideline for me in future.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I am sticking with my original choice of #7 as my favorite picture. The cropping on #6 definitely makes it more “frameable,” but I miss the laughing Mrs. Santa on the side. I love the changes to #4 and #5 (especially 5) but I like the originals of #1 and #2 better. #1 looks more cheerful with the changes but I kinda like the stormy, hazy look of the original. I’ll go for #2 for capturing the season - stuck inside on a gray day!
December 20th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I am voting for #4
December 20th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
i vote for #5
December 20th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Love number 7…..all are great though.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
My vote is for #1.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I like #1. It looks like a Christmas card to me…or the cover of a Christmas movie.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I like #5!
December 20th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
#5. However, I like the original photo best! You can see all the snow surrounding the happy little girl.
Cropping off the top was a good idea though. 
My 2nd choice is #1. Like the original better on that one too! 
December 20th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Of course I love mine, #5. I love the white around the outside, but I too miss the rosey cheeks :)! Thanks for showing more options for my pic.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
#5
December 20th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
I like #5 - playing in the snow. I like the cropped effect, but the first photo showed that she was playing in the snow, and the new one is more of a white effect - it lost the playing in the snow effect. Still pretty though!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
#5 - still young at heart and like to play in the snow with my children!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
I liked number 2 but before you did any adjustments only because it made the picture more serene so in that case my vote goes to number 5
December 20th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
I’m for #4! I like how natural it is and how engaged the boys are to whatever they are watching….eliminating the distraction of the orange in the background “cleaned” the picture up!
December 21st, 2007 at 12:55 am
The last one again.
Number 7.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:25 am
Kacy J’s #7!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:17 am
Still like #3 the best. I tend to like the unusual, artistic pictures, and that one’s unique and beautiful.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:23 am
OMG #7
December 21st, 2007 at 3:50 am
#4 is my favorite picture, those boys are too cute! Seeing them all bundled up really brings Christmas and winter to mind. I like how you got rid of the yellow sign and focused more on the kids but I think I like the original colours better. Well done!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:15 am
# 1 gets my vote!
December 21st, 2007 at 6:25 am
#6 most original!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:08 am
I’m still going with #1! Makes me want a “White Christmas” even more so… but, not going to get it this year in Tennessee! I do have to say I love the changes you made to #5; I like the “winter wonderland” shot much better! It was hard for me to decide between the two… but, I’m sticking with #1.
On another note… What did you find out yesterday?? Was he/she cooperative?
December 21st, 2007 at 7:10 am
I vote for # 6 the Jodi Keller babys there are so cute
December 21st, 2007 at 7:36 am
#4
December 21st, 2007 at 7:39 am
I vote for #6. They are way too cute!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:42 am
#5
December 21st, 2007 at 7:52 am
#2 the little one is too cute:)
December 21st, 2007 at 8:12 am
I love #6
December 21st, 2007 at 8:19 am
still like #6 since all kids don’t really appreciate Santa
December 21st, 2007 at 8:28 am
#6 Just puts a smile on my face
December 21st, 2007 at 8:37 am
Love what you did with the pictures… what a eye you have to bring out the beauty!
My vote: #5
December 21st, 2007 at 8:39 am
I vote for #1 - I love how the picture captures the thick snow on the trees. The light on the porch says, “Come on in for a nice warm cup of hot chocolate.” That is what a Minnesota winter is all about!
December 21st, 2007 at 8:54 am
I truly enjoy picture #1, this is a picture you would want to view on a hot summer day that is to sticky to do anything!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:11 am
Photo number 1
December 21st, 2007 at 9:12 am
I like #7 yea Kacy!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:15 am
#6!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:25 am
#1
December 21st, 2007 at 9:38 am
I still like #2. What can I say, I’m a baby lover!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:45 am
my vote is for #6
December 21st, 2007 at 9:46 am
Too cute!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:46 am
#6 is too cute!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:06 am
I like 5 and 7……I guess I’ll vote for #7 this time!
Great pics!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:29 am
It’s beautiful…yep..I love the effect with the snow!! perfect!!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:31 am
it’s my favorite!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:33 am
I love the effect with the snow. It turned out beautiful!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:35 am
Great Job!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:57 am
I vote for #4…I love the natural setting!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:59 am
#4-Love how the little boys all look alike and how cold they are…but they are still sittting there, must have been a pretty good show!!
December 21st, 2007 at 11:21 am
#6 Jodi Keller. Still they are all cool.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:34 am
I vote for #3. I think it’s beautiful!
December 21st, 2007 at 11:37 am
They’re all nice, but I vote for #3, Holly Gantenbein. It’s so representative of an ordinary winter, but at the same time it’s very magical and otherworldly.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:44 am
# 1 is still #1 to me! and i prefer the original photo and the haze….just very homey…makes you want to go inside a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows!
December 21st, 2007 at 11:45 am
I vote for #3- Holly G. It’s amazing!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 11:45 am
#3
December 21st, 2007 at 12:17 pm
#5 is my favorite. It brings you back to childhood and the wonder and thrill of diving into the snow! When I was a child, we always had wonderful snow days - now they are rare and SO exciting for the kids!
December 21st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
#1. I love the warm inviting feeling that I get when I see the color and light around the door. Almost like it says, come on it out of the cold and enjoy the warmth of friendship and family. I do like the sharper image of the edited version.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I vote for #5.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:28 pm
# 5 Love the pink and white girly girl.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:40 pm
This is a great picture! I vote for #5!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I still like picture number two due to the black and white contrast and the expression of wonder on the baby’s face.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I still like the second picture due to the black and white contrast and the wonder on the baby’s face. Aren’t children and wonderment what the season is about?
December 21st, 2007 at 2:27 pm
#7 gets my vote!
December 21st, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I vote for # 6 cute as can be!!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I vote for #6
December 21st, 2007 at 5:00 pm
#5, this is such a cute picture. It really captures the season, fun, and warmth of a smile.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:01 pm
#7
December 21st, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I pick #7. Its just a great photo!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:12 pm
#5 gets my vote!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:51 pm
A vote for #4
December 21st, 2007 at 5:56 pm
#1.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I pick #5, what represents the season better than a happy child playing in snow. I thought the cropping on the second pic was excellent but would have loved to see it with the bright pink. I think the contrast in colors would have emphasized the happy little girl with rosey cheeks.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I liked #5, April Sauers. The original photo was terriffic, but the enhanced really helped me see more details.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:58 pm
#1 — especially the new version of it. It’s fun to see what you can do to clarify and highlight dimensions of the picture!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I vote for #3! Classic!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Number 3 has amazing contrast. The ice with the leaves demonstrate the changing seasons!!! #3 has my vote!!!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I vote #3!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:45 pm
#6 is my favorite. I liked the original better, with Mrs. Claus in the picture. This is the most “unposed” picture!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I vote for #5. She looks like she is having a good time!
December 21st, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I vote for #4
December 21st, 2007 at 8:30 pm
#6 gets my vote!
December 21st, 2007 at 8:53 pm
#5 - I love the pink and white contrast.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I vote for #7. regardless of whether or not you’re too into santa and gifts, you still get the cold and snow (or ice). I’m not too terribly excited for Christmas this year. I can’t understand it, but I guess it’s part of being in Iraq for a year (it did sleet there once, and we got hail/snow thingies). We got home, and since then it’s been snowing and icing and cold ever since… It’s like the weather was waiting for us to get home before making things too bad to fly.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:32 pm
#6—almost every parent has seen this before!!! A true ‘real-life’ picture!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:28 pm
number 7 all the way.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:30 pm
I really like the orangeness of the sky in number 7. Thats my vote.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:03 pm
I vote for # 5 - beautiful girl in a beautiful setting!
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:51 am
December 21st, 2007
# five gets my vote!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:32 am
#6! At least Santa looks like he is enjoying himself
!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:43 am
I vote for Jody Keller #6
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:43 am
#6
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:44 am
#4………..I love how cold they look but they stay so intent on what they are watching. It is a great photo.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:04 am
#5 best captures the season, a time of joy and wonder for everyone, but really seen in the face of a child!
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
#5 Great picture, a beautiful and happy child says it all. Interesting changes for effect but preferred the bright pink in the original for the sake of contrast with the overcast sky.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:16 am
#5 is my favorite.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
I vote for #1….I love the punch of red in the enhanced photo.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
I vote #6.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:29 am
Number 7 is the best
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:39 am
# 4 such cute kids
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:06 pm
3!
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I vote for 3!
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:07 pm
3
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Number three!
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I vote for number three!
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:09 pm
3
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
My vote is for #5. Very cute:)
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:11 pm
still # 5. Like the new version but like the snow look of the original best.
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:25 pm
My vote is for #5 Very cute and is what winter is all about!
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I vote for #7….beautiful
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I vote for #5.
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
#7 is awesome, and my favorite.
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:09 pm
# 3!!!!! AMAZING!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:10 pm
3!!!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
OMW….i LOVE 3!!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:53 pm
I vote for #1 — listening to my son praying for snow every day makes me wish for a Christmas just like the one I see pictured here.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I vote for #6. I too liked Mrs. Claus laughing in the original.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
#6 - very original for the season.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
I have to vote for my nephews in #6 - they don’t get any cuter than that.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I vote for #6 - don’t all kids love santa?
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 pm
My vote is for #6, it was a very busy picture, but the cropping helped.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:45 pm
I vote for my nephews in #6. Aren’t they adorable - well, when they’re not throwing a fit!
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:46 pm
I vote for #6
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:47 pm
#6 - very cute
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I like the originality of #6, so they get my vote.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I love #6, made me laugh out loud!
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I agree - #6 all the way.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:50 pm
My vote is for #6.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I vote #6 - reminds me of when my son was that age.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Love #6.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Oh my - I have to pick #6.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I love #6 - I showed everyone that picture - makes me laugh!!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I have to go with #6 too.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I vote for #7 beautiful snow scene
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:47 pm
i like # 5 - you are really good with pictures
hope u have a merry christmas and a happy new year
December 23rd, 2007 at 1:18 am
Number 7 makes me feel like I’m in the middle of a winter wonderland!
Great pic.
December 23rd, 2007 at 1:21 am
Number 7!
Great pic.
December 23rd, 2007 at 12:22 pm
#7.
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:29 pm
#5
December 24th, 2007 at 5:25 am
#Seven.
December 24th, 2007 at 8:00 am
#5 I like the smile and the contrast of the pink outfit and the white snow. She seems to be having a lot of fun in the winter wonder land.
December 24th, 2007 at 9:07 am
#5 get’s my vote
December 24th, 2007 at 9:08 am
#5 - Get’s mine too
December 24th, 2007 at 9:09 am
#5 gets my vote