As the theme of our 25th Anniversary photo contest, WATER was a chance for 904 photographers from 26 countries—including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Columbia, Egypt, France, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom—to submit 3,791 images representing what WATER means to them.

Jurors Céline Cousteau, Sarah Leen, Elizabeth Opalenik, and Daniel Miller reviewed this body of inspiring interpretations and chose a Grand Prize image for each of the four categories (Landscape, Documentary, Abstract, and Portrait) and 46 Honorable Mentions. We spoke to the four winners and the jurors to get a behind-the-scenes look at what went into making and choosing the winning images.

Doron Talmi, Herzliya, Israel: Landscape Grand Prize, Windows of Water

1. Where did you make this image? How did it happen?

The image was captured in Venice, at a vaporetto (water bus) station on San Michele island. While visiting Venice for a week I had been using these buses quite extensively, and their multiple layers, split screens, reflections and compositions, with and without passengers, attracted me. On this particular case the light was soft, and there were no other passengers there, giving me the opportunity “to do it right.”

2. What does the photo mean to you?
First and foremost it is a memoir from a wonderful week in Venice. Secondly, I think the absence of people reflects San Michele, which is a cemetery island.

3. What made you want to enter it in the WATER photo contest?
I felt that the windows' effects makes it appear as if there are several different bodies of water, though it is all the same sea, and I thought it would be more interesting to present this one sea in a varying manner.

Jeff Schultz, Anchorage, Alaska: Documentary Grand Prize, Cracks and Dogs

1.Where did you make this image? How did it happen?

I made this image during the 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, as part of my coverage as the official photographer of the race—a volunteer position.

This is an aerial photo taken from a fixed-wing Cessna 180 airplane. My volunteer pilot, Danny Davidson, was helping me on my quest to document the race and find some interesting photos. We were flying in a 25-knot headwind as we passed over Farewell Lake, and I could see that the wind had swept the ice free of snow. The deep green color was spectacular and pressure cracks made a wondrous spider web. I loved the pattern and could only hope that a dog team would be nearby enough that we could photograph it. Now 3 full days into the race, the mushers could be spread out by many, many miles. On the far side of the lake, in a clearing, we easily spotted a team, but the shot was just okay. I wanted to wait for a musher out on the lake. The plan was to drop to 300 feet, put the musher nearly straight beneath me, and have Danny fly as slowly as he could. Danny suggested we approach the musher head-on, into the wind; otherwise, we’d blast by the team like a rocket.

The ride was pretty bumpy, so I wanted the fastest shutter speed for a sharp photo. I cranked the ISO to 800 and shot at f/4, with a shutter speed of 1/8000th of a second, and put the motor drive on high for five frames per second. When I look at this photo, I am thankful for my experienced pilot. He’s the one who timed a 90-mph airplane with an 8-mph dog team, calculating the wind resistance, and working the tail rudder, the yoke, and throttle... all this from the other side of the plane, where he couldn’t even see the team. I credit Danny for making this shot happen.

2. What does the photo mean to you?
I've been photographing the Iditarod each year since 1981. To me this photo is the very best I've made of the race, so to me it means a lot. It shows just how unique and spectacular the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is.

3. What made you want to enter it in the WATER photo contest?
Ice is simply another state of water, and the way the ice changes from liquid to solid shows well in the image. I think it's a unique look at water and we in Alaska deal with it regularly. 4. How does it feel to win?

It feels just GREAT. I'm happy to know an image that I like, is liked by others.

Rania Razek, McLean, Virginia: Abstract Grand Prize, Reflections

1. Tell me a little about your image. Where did you make this image? How did it happen?

My image is of raindrops and I focused on its infinite reflections of the image within. The title "Reflections," is exactly what it displays. It is a reflection of tree that is larger out of focus in the background. The image was taken during late winter in Mclean, VA. It soon became a series of images, but this by itself was the most powerful. It happened by chance amongst other times that successful images come about. I waited in my car for the rain to subside. I looked up at the sunroof and saw how the raindrops were coming down with the trees in the far background I grabbed my camera and began to shoot non-stop.

2. What does the photo mean to you?
It means a great deal to me. Most images that mean something to me the unplanned images. Sometimes, I plan certain shots or locations to take the right image, and end up not get what I was hoping for. I then take a different angle and switch perspectives to see a more mesmerizing shot that grabs my attention. I cross my fingers and pray that I managed to capture its essence. When displaying my photographic work, specifically abstract photos in exhibitions, I like to hear viewers' comments. Some have commented of how it must have been done on photoshop and are surprised that its not. If such an abstract image, "Reflections," leaves audiences wondering how it was created or what it was, then I have done my job. It leaves me with a great sense of pure gratification. My wishes are to create more.

3. What made you want to enter it in the WATER photo contest?
It just seemed to fit perfectly to the Abstract theme of "Water."4. How does it feel to win?

I'm ecstatic, who wouldn't be? I wish all the participants the same wonderful feeling. It is a great honor to be selected as the grand prize winner from such a distinguished establishment. The Santa Fe Photographic Workshops always have such inspirational and engaging programs. I learned a lot in the past and hope to continue to do so.

Portrait Grand Prize: Ron Henderson, Dallas, Texas, Trunk Show

1. Where did you make this image? How did it happen?

This photo was taken in a wonderfully primitive looking landscape called Vazquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, California. (For Star Trek fans, it was the backdrop for the famous fight scene between Captain Kirk and the alien lizard dude.) We were actually filming on location and in between takes I noticed the elephant sucking up water and playfully spraying it into the air. I framed the action with the rather surreal rocky background to give the image an even more whimsical feel.

2. What does the photo mean to you?
I've always loved the camera's ability to freeze a moment in time and in a fraction of a second tell a story that's often more provocative or captivating than what's happening in real time. To me, this was a great example of that.

3. What made you want to enter it in the WATER photo contest?
A. I pulled all my photos with water.
B. I tossed all the ones that made me say "meh."
C. The elephant made the cut.
*I also liked the idea of entering an animal in the portrait category since they can often be just as expressive and as interesting a subject as humans.

4. How does it feel to win?
Like a cold blast of water in the face. Very exciting.

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JUROR COMMENTS:

Céline Cousteau

1. What was the experience of jurying the contest like?

No matter how many times I end up on the jury for one event or another, it is always tough to compare a variety of talent because you can see the effort behind so many of the images. With so many photos to compare, the WATER contest was like a puzzle but in the end, my instinct led me straight to my choices.

2. How did you choose and evaluate the entries, considering the theme was WATER?
What intrigued me the most was how water was interpreted and integrated in the image as opposed to being the focus of the image. Though the quality of the photo certainly part of my criteria, what won me over was more the originality of the intention and the story I could imagine that led to the image.

3. What was your favorite part of participating?
It was wonderful to discover so many people’s visions through their images - it truly made me want to get out and shoot more!

4. Is there anything else you'd like to add or share with the entrants and winners?
Contests are a place to share, learn and grow, and though there is a winner, it would be great if the ultimate goal would be to feel a sense of community with others who share a passion and have gone through this story with you. And though there is a winner in the end, it was just one jury that determined this- there are many more life opportunities to share your work and ‘win'.

Also please provide a link to your website(s) so we can include that information as well.
www.causecentric.org
www.tribesontheedge.com
www.celinecousteau.com

Elizabeth Opalenik
1. What was the experience of jurying the contest like?
It is always a pleasure to see so much interesting work on one subject, but because the work was strong, it was also difficult to make choices.

2. How did you choose and evaluate the entries, considering the theme was WATER?
I found myself revisiting each theme within the water genre and selecting images that were alive or asked me to look harder. The "right" images are always subjective but always jump and stay with you.

3. What was your favorite part of participating?
If I could work in only one genre personally, it would be water and has been for 35 years, so for me this was a visual smorgasbord of ideas and solutions. A joy to see so much creativity within a theme.

4. Is there anything else you'd like to add or share with the entrants and winners?
To the winners, bravo for your elegant way of seeing. To all the entrants, thank you for sharing your unique vision of the world. You are all winners for letting your creative spirits soar.

Also please provide a link to your website(s) so we can include that information as well.

www.elizabethopalenik.com

Daniel Miller
1. What was the experience of jurying the contest like?
It's always good to look at new work and artists I haven't seen.

2. How did you choose and evaluate the entries, considering the theme was WATER?
I was looking for more conceptual pieces surrounding the idea of water.

3. What was your favorite part of participating?
Working with Santa Fe Workshops' really talented team.

YourDailyPhotograph.com

*Juror Sarah Leen was unavailable but her comments will be added later.