And the winner of ALLof the following:

-Bessa R3A Gray
-Voigtlander 40/1.4 SC Limited Edition Single Coat lens for B/W Voigtlander Lens Hood Bessa Side Grip
-Deluxe Camera Strap
-Abrahamasson Mini Soft Release
-NaneuPro U120
-2 Rolls of Agfa APX 25 from my personal stash

Is … Alexander Kolbunov AKA ~irsy with his submission … .

This submission was a clear-cut winner

Some comments by those of the judges who selected it as the winner were as follows:

This is just a good shot. Technically, its well done and just the subject matter is a really intense juxtaposition. The kind of shot that just makes me get a big wet one in my mangina. – Richard Harley, Director of Community Development and King Mangina!

Such a sad picture. When I viewed it it did hit me with a strong emotion. I feel that the moment captured is incredibly well-documented, where the contrast between lust and happiness, versus sadness and despair is hitting the viewer with its violent, raw reality. I wish I had been moved by something happier, but this photo gets my vote. It's a Doisneau shot... with a dark twist. - Patrick Kahn, Publisher BookLA

I looked back and forth between three photos. I chose this one because of how much life – real life – was depicted. Not only. The contrast between the couples – I have no idea how many people just up and kiss in Russian – and the subject frame right. And being the film-jerk that I am … I am impressed that this deviant shot with film and didn’t have to “chimp” the screen to see if he nailed it. He did. Chris Weeks, photographer

No comment left – Hossein Farmani, Founder of the Lucie Awards

I know … there isn’t a second prize. Sorry. Maybe next time but I doubt it.

But … some of the other judges … I’ll tell you what they chose … and what they said!


Guess I am pretty jaded. Most of the tabs were closed within a second of loading the thumbnail. I don't like kid contest entries, the subject matter is too easy. I also don't like entries which remind me of classic pics I have seen before. I don't like contest pics that don't have a meaning to me beyond the image itself. I narrowed it down to four pics that I enlarged to full size. One was quickly closed again. Of the three remaining shots, one was interesting but too typical to have much meaning. One was amusing and unusual, but only as a passing joke shot. I found my pic of the bunch haunting, a superb study of loneliness and isolation in a fast moving city surrounded by strangers an arm length's away. I want a signed print of this one, archivally processed of course. – Stephen Gandy, CameraQuest.com


The quality of the image is just great. I think the photographer has a deep understanding of the real values of photography. To me it is the best. – Christian Erhardt, Leica – Marketing Manager


I picked discontent for the pure brilliance of the shot. There's interesting pieces to the picture that can help identify where in the world you are, the composition is very well done and that expression is the ultimate icing on the cake. – Danielle, Director of Artist Relations

So … Alexander-from-somewhere-in-Russia-who-shoots-film … congratulations!

Thank you to all of the judges as well!

Everyone should thank $spyed and Stephen from CameraQuest.com for providing the camera and accessories. Oh, yeah, Ed from NaneuPro … thank you too for the killer camera bag!

Lastly, thank all of you who submitted to the contest!!!!!

Hope to do another one!