Our winner Susan Shanta knows all about how to use the relationship between the out-of-focus and in-focus areas of a photograph to make the latter the star of the show.

WINNER: Rainbow with a twist, by Susan Shanta

Opening your lens up to its maximum aperture forces you to be very precise with the zone of optimal focus. Cinematographers and macro shooters like our winner Susan Shanta know all about how to use the relationship between the out-of-focus and in-focus areas of a photograph to make the latter the star of the show.

In this challenge we liked how Susan caught the twist in the stream of water as it brought the blurry background into focus.

My friend has the most amazing flower garden just outside of his back door. I took my camera over and took hundreds of photos. I was captivated by the water drops right after he sprayed them all down on a sunny day.

FIRST RUNNER-UP: Liquid Sunshine, by Maikeru Mukudori

We thought Maikeru Mukudori’s study in purple had a real atmosphere and captured his fascination with the water droplets beautifully.

SECOND RUNNER-UP: Shot Wide Open, by Cliff Samson

Cliff Samson’s shot ‘wide open’ makes one worry for the photographer – even knowing that the weapon is in the licensed hands of its owner. Strong stuff.

HONOURABLE MENTION: Brock LeMan, by Susan Shanta

Susan has won a stylish  Think Tank Retrospective ® Leather 5 ““ Pinestone bag.

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