Lipoveni BY Marian Plaino
Our First Place Winner was submitted by
Marian Plaino from Bucuresti, Romania
Marian Plaino from Bucuresti, Romania
I first picked up a camera in 1997, at 23, while still a student. What began as a way to document the beauty of my travels soon evolved into a lifelong visual journey. For years, I explored photography alongside my work as a math teacher — using it in playful, creative ways with pupils and, later, developing a souvenir business with my wife based on my images. In recent years, I’ve shifted my focus more intentionally toward photography. What was once passion is now purpose. I’ve expanded from landscapes to portraiture, rural life, events, and street scenes — seeking to tell honest stories through natural light and unposed moments. I don’t chase perfection. I wait for presence. I believe photography is a visual language — one that speaks through emotion, light, and the quiet power of a captured moment. Each frame is not just what I see, but what I feel, and how I remember the world in that brief breath of time. In 2016 I started to "test" my photos in international and national photo contests. Until now I have counted more than 800 prizes in about 60 countries, 5 trophies, and 14 times “Best Author”..
Visit more of Marian's amazing work online at:
@plainomarian
Visit more of Marian's amazing work online at:
@plainomarian
Rest BY Yongin Sihn
Our Second Place Winner was submitted by
Yongin Sihn from Boryeong-si, South Korea
Yongin Sihn from Boryeong-si, South Korea
I work on photography in Korea.
I always look for something new with interest in something new.
Today, I think...
I always look for something new with interest in something new.
Today, I think...
Vivian on the Ground BY Michael Potts
Our Third Place Winner was submitted by
Michael Potts from Phoenix, Arizona
Michael Potts from Phoenix, Arizona
Mike grew up in Pennsylvania and in 2005 moved to Arizona where he’s rarely cold and doesn’t have to shovel snow. He graduated from Bucknell University with a major in English and a minor in Chemistry and still wonders what to do with them.
He currently works as a nuclear medicine technologist mainly so he has someone to talk to. This lets him photograph on the side without having to live on ramen and sleep on friends’ couches, though he quite likes ramen and has slept on some very comfortable couches. The rest of his time is devoted to various cats. They don’t like ramen, but they do like couches. His ultimate dream would be to visit Mars (and ideally make the trip back too).
Mike’s approach to photography is minimalist, which if you’ve seen his comic book collection seems like a complete lie. He prefers to work with the subject, his camera, and whatever light is available. It also means he doesn’t have to lug around a lot of extra equipment, which just sounds like work.
Visit more of Mike's amazing work online at:
www.myq-art.com
He currently works as a nuclear medicine technologist mainly so he has someone to talk to. This lets him photograph on the side without having to live on ramen and sleep on friends’ couches, though he quite likes ramen and has slept on some very comfortable couches. The rest of his time is devoted to various cats. They don’t like ramen, but they do like couches. His ultimate dream would be to visit Mars (and ideally make the trip back too).
Mike’s approach to photography is minimalist, which if you’ve seen his comic book collection seems like a complete lie. He prefers to work with the subject, his camera, and whatever light is available. It also means he doesn’t have to lug around a lot of extra equipment, which just sounds like work.
Visit more of Mike's amazing work online at:
www.myq-art.com
Baptism BY Quinn Miller
Our Honorable Mention Winner was submitted by
Quinn Miller from Lake Worth Beach, Florida
Quinn Miller from Lake Worth Beach, Florida
Quinn Miller is a conceptual portrait photographer from Clewiston, Florida, whose staged and digitally constructed images explore identity, emotion, and personal narrative through symbolism and surrealism.
He is currently attending Savannah College of Art and Design, where he's developing his thesis project, Bloom/ine. Influenced by Erik Johansson and Jerry Uelsmann, Miller investigates psychological experiences through carefully planned compositions. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, recognized by Critical Mass, and featured in Bait//Switch and Al-Tiba9.
He currently teaches high school art in South Florida.
Visit more of Quinn's amazing work online at:
www.qmillerphotography.com
He is currently attending Savannah College of Art and Design, where he's developing his thesis project, Bloom/ine. Influenced by Erik Johansson and Jerry Uelsmann, Miller investigates psychological experiences through carefully planned compositions. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, recognized by Critical Mass, and featured in Bait//Switch and Al-Tiba9.
He currently teaches high school art in South Florida.
Visit more of Quinn's amazing work online at:
www.qmillerphotography.com
Theme Shortlist
Below are the amazing images that shortlisted into the top tier of this themes competition. A big congratulations to all the talented photographers that participated!
