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Editor's Pick Awards 2002
Text Copyright Jim Erhardt
All rights reserved.
The Editor’s Picks have become a NPN tradition. Since we began the weekly recognition in 2001, the number of extraordinary nature images posted on the NPN web site has grown dramatically, making the process of selecting just a single image every week from each of the image critique galleries a formidable task. I guess it came as no surprise that when we had to pick the “best of the best” for the Editor’s Pick Awards, the process was incredibly difficult.
The final selections were based on the recommendations of the NPN staff. Unfortunately, a few images were disqualified due to the fact that the photographer was not a member of the Nature Photographers Network, as stipulated in the Editor’s Pick Awards rules.
Final Note - Due to the large number of superb images in each category, we added a 1st and 2nd Honorable Mention to the prize package. All of the winning images can be viewed in the Editor's Picks 2002 Gallery
So here they are, our choices for the best images on NPN in 2002, and quite possibly, the best nature images to be found anywhere!
The Best of the Best - 2002
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Earth, Sea & Sky Gallery |
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First Place Winner - Icing on the Cake by Adam Gibbs
"Technically and aesthetically perfect. You're one of the photographers I seek out in this forum due to the high quality of your work (as seen here)." Michael Gordon
1st Honorable Mention - Another Lake Abstract by Eric Fredine
2nd Honorable Mention - Early Morning Rays by Jenny Ellerbe
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Fauna & Flora Gallery |
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First Place Winner - Polar Drama by D. Robert Franz
"Very powerful and dramatic image. One of the best I've seen on NPN in every respect." Guy Tal
1st Honorable Mention - Shoot the Fight by Anthony Medici
2nd Honorable Mention - Red Fox - (UK) by Phil Shaw
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Macro Gallery |
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First Place Winner - Drops of Gold by Mark Graf
"Just magic again from the eyes of Mark - your mind and talent just shows with every shot in all sorts of subjects." Danny Young
1st Honorable Mention - Inside the Carnation by Danny Young
2nd Honorable Mention - Amphipods by Lisa Page
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Man & Nature Gallery |
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First Place Winner - Lightning! by Lori Kincaid
"This is truely remarkable. This is absolutely the most exciting photograph I've seen in a long time." Pete Dickson
1st Honorable Mention - Ambassador Among Sumacs by Ted Simonett
2nd Honorable Mention - Red-eyed Thumb Frog by Cheryl Ertelt
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Scenic Gallery |
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First Place Winner - A Powerful Landscape by Guy Edwardes
"You're the master of misty scenes and this is a image which works well for me. I like the simple composition and quality of the light, and the way the pylons disect the frame is really well seen." Geoff Simpson
1st Honorable Mention - Sunset and Tall Ship, Lake Erie by Ethan Meleg
2nd Honorable Mention - Lightning Storm Over Campus by Kyle Gerstner
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Underwater Gallery |
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First Place Winner - Volitans by Andy Heath
"Great timing in catching the fish in front of that sea fan!" Mark Graf
1st Honorable Mention - Sponge Brittle Star by Tony Henneke
2nd Honorable Mention - Orange Cub Coral by Richard Hogg
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Weekly Challenge Gallery |
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First Place Winner - Three Ibis x3 by Steve sage
"Very creative, and quite well done. I am fascinated by this clever creation, and would never have even thought of such a possibility." Richard Ditch
1st Honorable Mention - Charlotte by Betty Frazier
2nd Honorable Mention - Mushroom and Elm Leaf! by Craig Thompson
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What They Won
Along with the admiration and respect of the NPN staff, members and readers, this year's winners were awarded the following -
First Place Winners
Each of the 1st and 2nd Honorable Mention winners received the following -
- One special addition Editor's Pick Award Winner NPN Field Cap
- A 1-year Nature Photographers Network renewal
- One Editor's Pick Awards Certificate, suitable for framing
In total, over $7,000.00 in awards were distributed in the 2002 Editor's Pick Awards!
Our sincere thanks to Wimberley, Kirk Enterprises and PKZSoftware for sponsoring the 2002 Editor's Picks Awards, and for their continung support in the 2003 program.
So what's in store for 2003? More extraordinary nature photography to be certain, and a prize package valued at over $11,000 at the time this article was written! See you in the NPN image critique galleries!
Comments on NPN nature and wildlife photography articles? Send them to the editor.
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