The winners of Rotary's eighth annual photo contest

The Rotarian -- June 2013  

Carol Guzy has won four Pulitzer Prizes – more than any other photographer or journalist – so she has a unique perspective on what separates a great photo from a good one. In addition to sitting for an interview with The Rotarian, she agreed to judge our photo contest this year.

For the first-place winner, Guzy chose an image captured by Spencer Callahan in Tanzania last summer. Callahan was on a bus, sitting behind two little boys and their father. “I was showing them the pictures I was taking, and they loved it,” he recalls. “As we got closer to the mountains, this boy became fascinated with the scenery. I held up the camera and didn’t even look through the viewfinder, because I didn’t want him to stop doing what he was doing.” Callahan won a Nikon D3200 SLR with a lens. The second- and third-prize winners received Canon SX210 IS cameras.

First place. On the bus to Lushoto near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Guzy says “This is a poignant, compelling image that evokes nostalgia. Perfectly composed, with subtle tones of black and white that enhance a feeling of bygone days. The wistful expression on the boy and his reflection provide a quiet, intimate moment. Exquisite photograph.” Spencer Callahan, son of Bob Callahan, Rotary Club of Fairhope, Alaska, USA

Second place. Petäjävesi, Finland. “A magnificent image that feels like a Monet painting. It is a masterful use of reflection in water that results in a work of art. The one thing that would have made an even more powerful photograph would have been a point of focus, such as a bird flying by.” Bedros Artin Azinyan, Rotary Club of Kazanlak, Bulgaria

Third place. Bagan, Myanmar. “This delightful photo might have been more compelling as a spontaneous moment, were they not so involved in looking into the camera. But the identical expressions on their faces and the obvious struggles of an impoverished family work in juxtaposition to the charming moment of a boy in a basket.” Margriet Ruurs, spouse of Kees Ruurs, Rotary Club of Saltspring Island (Ganges), British Colubmia, Canada