Juror: Elizabeth Opalenik

Juror Statement:

I was honored to jury the images for "The Human Form", but given the number of strong submissions, it soon became evident how complex the task would become.   I strove for diversity within the genre, often comparing similar images against one another where only minutia brought one to the forefront.  But it is that minutia that makes images stronger...an attention to detail in lighting, the crop, or where shadows or highlights are placed. Other photographs, though often strong,  weren't chosen because they were more about the process, location, or a compelling portrait that was less about the resulting human form.  In the end, the "less is more approach" and those images that asked questions, comprised the final choices that make this exhibition.

Attention to details is why I chose "Strength" as the winner.  The photographer was present in all aspects when he/she made the image. Just as those that received honorable mentions were present when they clicked the shutter.  With so little information,  in "Film Noir light through door",  I can feel the rest of the person and I am curious; "She Breaches" finds the male/female in the same image; the honest gaze/gesture in  "Addressed" haunted me; "Spider Girl" was again an image of conscious, elegant choices; and from experience I could respect how difficult it is to portray the beauty in "Sunrise".  I learned a lot looking at these images. For the chance to see through the eyes of so many talented photographers, we should all be grateful.

Elizabeth Opalenik