National Geographic 2010 Energizer Photo Contest Winners

By Alafoto December-11-2010

About the 2010 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest

No prized scrapbook photo or National Geographic cover shot has ever come from a camera with dead batteries. So it’s with weekend warriors like you in mind—as well as award-winning professional photographers like Jim Richardson—that Energizer invented Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries. Energizer® Ultimate Lithium AA and AAA batteries last up to eight times longer vs. Energizer® MAX® in digital cameras (results vary by camera). That means you can take your mind off of your batteries and focus on taking great shots. More…

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OUR JUDGE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER JIM RICHARDSON, HAS CHOSEN THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

At the close of the Voting Phase, National Geographic learned of a technical failure in our voting mechanism, which erroneously allowed each voting participant an unlimited number of votes in the Contest. For that reason, National Geographic has determined that it cannot rely on the voting tally to determine “the highest number of valid votes” as anticipated in the Official Rules. Because the voting tally cannot fairly be relied upon, we have decided to award a First Prize to both Finalists in each Theme Category (a First Prize will be awarded to each of the twelve Finalists). Our Official Judge, Jim Richardson, has determined the Grand Prize winner (see photo above) from among the twelve Finalists without regard to the Voting Phase, applying the Judging Criteria.

Check out the gallery of First Place prize winners below! And find out (see below) which of the 12 overall finalists has won the Grand Prize — a trip for two (2) to Greece and their photograph published in an Energizer ad in the December 2010 issue of National Geographic Magazine.

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See all 12 Winners below (two in every of 6 categories)
Click images to enlarge.

Grand Prize Winner

Photo and Caption by Barrett Hedges
Coming at You

Coastal brown bear in attack mode after a salmon.

Two years ago, Barrett Hedges went to Alaska to take pictures of the abundant wildlife, and said he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

The photo is called “Coming at You”.

“I was actually out that day, you know, looking for bears that were hungry and the salmon run was in full swing, so there were lots of fish and bears were active,” said Hedges. “It definitely looks as if the bear is charging right at me, and in a sense, it is. But it’s really going after a salmon that had gotten stuck in a little shallow area.”

Hedges said he has never entered his work for judging before, but took his chances by entering the National Geographic contest. He hoped to just win in the “Action” category, but instead, took home the top prize.

Jim’s Comments:

Everything about this image speaks of energy and action. The power and brute force of the bear, the unbridled charge through the river, the water thrashed into action and captured in a frozen moment. All of it is in your face and thrilling.

Jim’s Choice

What a tough decision! Every one of the 12 finalists is worthy of honor and could have been the winner. After hours of pondering and weighing the decision I kept coming back to that great Brown bear, charging straight at us with all the energy of a freight train. Perfectly sharp and face to face with a force of nature, the image carries us into another world, at once frightening and magnificent. The crystalline splashing water, frozen in the moment just adds a sense of all-out exertion. Congratulations to our winner, and congratulations to our finalists. It’s a bit sad: so many great pictures but only one winner.

CATEGORY: Action/Energy

First Place Winner

Photo and Caption by Matt Walsh
Space Shuttle Discovery

A view of the Shuttle Discovery from New Smyrna Beach, Fl., April 5, 2010. This was the last shuttle launch in darkness.

CATEGORY: Animals/Wildlife

First Place Winners

Photo and Caption by Reed Miller
By the Sweat of Thy Brow

The male bald eagle brings in a duck for dinner to his mate and two young chicks.

Photo and Caption by Brian Overcast
Battling Egrets at Lake Chapala, Mexico

A pair of egrets fight over food during the annual migration of white pelicans near the village of Petatan, Michoacan in Mexico.

CATEGORY: Nature

First Place Winners

Photo and Caption by Antonio Busiello
Anacapa Arch

I took this picture of Anacapa Arch last November. Visibility is usually good during October and November at the Channel Islands but that day was incredible. It was a perfect day; calm water, strong sun, and great visibility. I also helped myself with the underwater strobe.

Photo and Caption by Brian Young
Wisteria

This beautiful picture of a giant Wisteria tree was taken in Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

CATEGORY: People/Cultures

First Place Winners

Photo and Caption by Roxann Lovette
Civil War

Every year Allison Woods, of Statesville,Nc, host a civil war reenactment. This was captured during a battle scene.

Photo and Caption by Maggie Winters
Fire Breather

A local fire breather let me photograph her practicing.

CATEGORY: Travel

First Place Winners

Photo and Caption by William Lee
Star Trails, Windmill and Tulips

Captured during the 2010 blooming season of Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Oregon, this is a long exposure of star trails over the tulip farm. The windmill and tulips were illuminated by my flash and building lights far away.

Photo and Caption by Frank Fakinos
Glacial Hiker

Glacier Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. As I stood on a ridge gazing across at this enormous glacier with awe, I spotted a lone hiker in the distance. Seeing him out there on his icy adventure, I couldn’t help wonder what thoughts and emotions he was experiencing. I found myself grinning ear to ear as I vicariously strapped on some crampons and journeyed alongside him.

CATEGORY: Weather

First Place Winners

Photo and Caption by Zachary Caron
Placid Awe

The awesome power of this tornado, just south of Parker Colorado, is evident by the amount of earth being consumed in its vortex. Despite this power, Mother Nature was just putting on a spectacular show; only a single tree was damaged.