❄️ The Winter Winners
Winter is more than just cold—it’s a transformation. For this contest, you showed us how snow turns the world into a quiet, high-contrast playground. From the silence of the forests to the grit of the herd, here are the three shots that froze time perfectly.
🏆 1st Place: Chris Danen
Title: Winter on the Veluwe in the Netherlands
The Prize: Xpozer Print (100x150cm)
Capturing wildlife is hard; capturing it with this level of cinematic depth is legendary. Chris used the natural "vignette" of the Veluwe forest to frame a majestic stag, creating a shot that feels more like a painting than a photograph.
- The Subject: The stag’s eye contact creates an immediate emotional connection with the viewer.
- Color Palette: The warm, earthy tones of the deer’s coat contrast sharply against the cool, desaturated whites and greens of the woods.
- Depth of Field: A shallow aperture separates the stag from the "busy" forest, making him the undisputed hero of the frame.
💡 Pro Tip: When shooting in a cluttered environment like a forest, use a wide aperture (low f-stop) to blur the background and keep the focus entirely on your subject.
🥈 2nd Place: Lars van der Blonk
Title: A group of robust, horned sheep
The Prize: 4x EPIX Photo Tiles
This image captures the "grit" of winter. Lars leaned into the weather rather than fighting it, using a heavy snowstorm to add texture and a sense of survival to the composition.
- Atmospheric Texture: The falling snowflakes act as a natural filter, adding a layer of depth and movement to the static group.
- Composition: The central sheep, with its symmetrical horns and direct gaze, provides a powerful anchor point for the eye.
- Monochrome Feel: Even though it's a color shot, the white-out conditions simplify the palette, emphasizing shape and form.
💡 Pro Tip: Don't put your camera away when it snows. Heavy weather creates a "mood" that you simply can't replicate in post-production.
🥉 3rd Place: Peter Kuipers
Title: A white goose on a snowy road
The Prize: 4x EPIX Retro Tiles
Minimalism at its finest. Peter used a classic "vanishing point" composition, letting the rhythmic lines of the trees lead us straight to a surprising, singular subject.
- Leading Lines: The tire tracks and the treeline create a "tunnel" effect that forces the viewer's eye toward the goose.
- The Pop of Color: The orange beak and legs are the only vibrant colors in the frame, making them an irresistible focal point.
- Symmetry: The balance of the trees on both sides creates a sense of order and tranquility.
💡 Pro Tip: Use "high-key" photography (bright whites) to simplify a scene. It removes distractions and highlights the smallest details, like the pop of color on a bird.
🏙️ New Challenge: City Life
The silence of winter is over—now we want the noise, the lights, and the architecture.
