IFWTWA wishes to congratulate the 2023 Photography Contest winners. There were 121 entries, 112 from IFWTWA members and nine from non-members. In this post, we share every winning image and the story behind each photo. The 2023 Photography Contest consisted of seven categories: Environmental Portraiture, Food, Landscape, Nature, Night, Urban Landscape, and Wine & Spirits.
Best In Show – IFWTWA 2023 Photography Contest
Michael Hodgson received Best in Show honors in the IFWTWA 2023 Photography Contest from the Nature category for his photo entitled Taking Flight Kodiak Island Bald Eagle.
On a Kodiak Island beach in Alaska, I watched a bald eagle wade into the ocean water to clean its head and beak after feeding. Knowing it would likely soon fly off, I knelt onto the pebble beach to get as low as possible, adjusted my camera settings, and readied to pan with the eagle in flight. Panning would effectively blur the background and allow me to shoot at a lower shutter speed. I also visualized where I thought its talons or wing tips would splash the water’s surface. Shot with a Sony a9ii at 1/1250, f/6.3.
ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE
First Place in Environmental Portraiture
Life Among the Merzouga Dunes of Morocco by Melanie Votaw
This image was taken in the Merzouga Dunes of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Even though I have visited many beautiful places across the globe, this may be the most photogenic locale I have ever seen. The colors of the men and the camels against the undulating waves of golden sand provided an infinite number of compositions. Still, I knew the minute I took this photo that it would be one of the most memorable I had ever taken.
Second Place in Environmental Portraiture
Sunset Planting by Tim Manus
On a cool Wisconsin spring evening, I photographed a farmer working in his field. As he turned around to plant the next row, I waited for his tractor to come back towards me. Knowing there was another tractor in the neighboring field, I looked for the perfect photo as the sun beat down on this tractor. I shot as fast as possible because we rarely see sunsets like this. In this case, wildfire smoke from Canada made for a spectacular image against the backdrop.
Third Place in Environmental Portraiture
Ballet Dancer By Candlelight by Scott Kendall
The graceful pose of the young ballet dancer formed a stark silhouette against the lights of hundreds of candles that lit the stage. The dancer followed this moment with poetic movements as the talented quartet filled the room with the genius of Tchaikovsky. Candlelight Concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations throughout the country – this concert was in Houston, Texas.
FOOD
First Place in Food
Menudo Is Mexico’s Celebratory Meal by Athena Lucero
Before diving into a hot bowl of menudo at Hacienda Diaz in West Covina, California, its bright colors and luscious aroma captivated me. History has it that this humble stew—made with hominy corn, tripe, garlic, onions, dried chiles, spices, cilantro, and lime — originated during the Mexican Revolution. It’s high in protein, low in fat, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Also known as Mexico’s chicken soup, it’s one of the country’s most traditional recipes and is famous for curing hangovers. It takes a long time to prepare menudo, which is served at gatherings, celebrations, and holidays.
Second Place in Food
Strawberry Caprese by Carolyn Griffith
When harvesting produce from my garden or finding delectable morsels at my local farmer’s market, my brain starts to dance with new ideas or reminds me of lifelong favorite recipes. The first strawberries and tomatoes of the season get me giddy with excitement! Combining the two for a variation on a Caprese salad was calling my name. The juicy strawberries and acidic tomatoes are wonderful companions. Adding salty mozzarella and sweet basil creates a playful combination, giving your tastebuds a burst of flavor. Finishing with a drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Maldon sea salt brings the dish home!
Third Place Food
Truffles Falling on My Ravioli by Athena Lucero
Inside Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Resort in the quieter northern half of Cancun’s Hotel Zone in Mexico, a French dish at le Basilic sublimely comes together as truffle shavings land softly on my ravioli. Raviole de Foie Gras aux champignons sauvages et truffes, jus de canard et mousse de lait — the glorious creation of Chef Henri Charvet, renowned Maitre Cuisiniers de France — translates to foie gras ravioli with wild mushrooms and truffles, duck juice and milk foam. Here, savoring Mexico’s beloved dishes side-by-side with France’s haute cuisine reached divine culinary heights.
LANDSCAPE
First Place in Landscape
Norway Reflection by Brigitte Redel
During our Norway road trip, we traveled from Sogndalsfjøra to Geiranger on a particularly stormy morning. While we had dreamt of clear blue skies, the low-lying clouds and light rain made for a unique and beautiful sight. This photo was taken at a random pullover where the misty morning created a one-of-a-kind reflection on this Norway Fjord.
Second Place in Landscape
Terra Rossa Coonawarra Wine Region by Pam Baker
The Coonawarra wine region in South Australia is one of the country’s most important wine regions. It’s known for its unique Terra Rossa soil over limestone. Terra Rossa (Italian for red soil) is a free-draining red clay that nurtures and influences the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for which Coonawarra is famous.
This cigar-shaped strip of land runs about nine miles long and one mile wide. On a recent visit to Coonawarra, we came across a cutout that best demonstrates the unique soil. It can be viewed on Di Giorgio Family Wines’ property along the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail.
Third Place in Landscape
Masai Mara by Julie Suman
A lone acacia tree stands proud in Kenya’s Masai Mara. The tree’s umbrella shape comes from giraffes that nibble on the lower branches. The vastness of East Africa’s savannas inspired me to capture this photo with my iPhone. The contrast between the story skies and chartreuse blades of grass highlights the landscape’s diversity. The open grasslands constitute approximately two-thirds of the Masai Mara and Serengeti.
NATURE
As shown above, Best In Show came from the Nature category. Here are additional winners of the Landscape category.
Second Place in Nature
Running With Wind Shackleford Banks Wild Horses by Michael Hodgson
Chest-deep in seawater, I knelt behind my tripod and camera, mesmerized as three mustangs in the herd of wild horses I had been watching on the Shackleford Banks of North Carolina began to gallop. I glanced up from my viewfinder as a randy stallion and two mares headed directly toward me in shallow water off the beach – hides glistening, hooves churning up whitewater and froth, heads tossing, nostrils flared, manes flying in the wind. Just as I wondered if I should move lest I be run over, the mustangs turned and flew past me as I panned my camera to keep them in the frame. Shot with a Sony a9 at 1/1000, f/6.3.
Third Place in Nature
King Penguin, by Rose Palmer
Portrait of a King penguin in the Falkland Islands.
NIGHT
First Place in Night
Centuries Of Stars by Therese Iknoian
You feel a certain power in the presence of Rapa Nui’s mysterious moai. The monolithic moai on this remote island represents honored elder leaders who passed away, and the Rapa Nui people would go to these statues to ask for advice. I had the rare and special opportunity to spend several nights photographing the moai on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Chile. The majesty of the Milky Way dancing overhead added even more power to this lineup. I captured six moai at Tongariki, where the lineup includes 15 standing guard on their “ahu” or platform.
Second Place in Night
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque by Donnie Sexton
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. It is the country’s largest mosque and is renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate details. Its construction began in 1996 and took 11 years to build, using materials from around the globe. At night, the mosque’s color shifts from cool white during a full moon to gradually deeper blue as the moon wanes, changing every two evenings.
Third Place in Night
Wanna Ride To Church by Therese Iknoian
Light painting, night skies, and abandoned towns – I couldn’t ask for anything more. The darkness allows me to create my artistic reality. Here, at the Nelson Ghost Town (the former Techatticup El Dorado Mine in Nevada), the collection of “stuff” has grown to include vintage and antique odds and ends the owner collects. This image took about two minutes of exposure, with myself dressed in invisible black, walking back and forth through the scene with the shutter open to “paint” the set with the light I desired – in the church on the sign, in and on the car.
URBAN LANDSCAPE
First Place in Urban Landscape
Trondheim Norway Reflection by Rose Palmer
Early morning as I was walking around the town of Trondheim, Norway.
Second Place in Urban Landscape
Kayaking In Aalesund Norway by Rose Palmer
Kayakers in the town of Aalesund, Norway.
Third Place in Urban Landscape
Norway Fishing Village by Rose Palmer
A Norwegian fishing village above the Arctic Circle.
WINE & SPIRITS
First Place In Wine & Spirits
Spanish Gin Tonic by Steve Brandt
The Spanish Gin and Tonic I found at a new restaurant that opened in my hometown that I moved away from but return regularly! This spot was an absolute gem with AMAZING food and artistic drinks. This shot is 100% natural golden hour light created with my Fuji XT3, which goes with me almost everywhere! So many great food and beverage images were captured that night as the light was just PERFECT. This shot was one of the best I got that night, though; the smoke coming off the rosemary just made it a step above the rest!
Second Place in Wine & Spirits
Seven Springs Winery Wine Glass With Reflections Of The Surrounding Landscapes by Scott Kendall
Reflections of the red, green, and gold of the surrounding landscapes added a kaleidoscope of colors to the liquid gold in my glass. Silver Springs Winery is a beautiful rural winery located in the rolling hills between Camdenton and Osage Beach in mid-Missouri. With 160 scenic acres, visitors can hike over two miles through the beautiful terrain or sit and relax inside or on the gorgeous back patio to enjoy the spectacular views. On this gorgeous June afternoon, my wife and I enjoyed a light Vignole, a flavorful, mild straw-colored white wine with fruity peach, melon, and citrus notes.
Third Place in Wine & Spirits
Red Wine And Charcuterie by Rose Palmer
A glass of red wine is being poured aboard the La Bella Vita barge.
Thanks again to all who entered the IFWTWA 2023 Photography Contest, and congratulations to the winners!
