I am so happy to have had Digital Days as a sponsor for this contest. There were so many great photographers who entered and their shots were amazing. I wish I could give passes to everyone. However, I only have 6 2-Day passes to give away and one for each city. The judges Alli, Bryan and SmilieShorts were great to help me out and pick their favs.

Palm Springs, CA Winner – Paul Robert Richardson – Digital Days Event April 4 & 5, 2009

What the judges said about Paul’s Photo –

~I pick this one because of the haunting image, leaving you to create a story of your own. The artistry of the colors and composition really draw my interest.

~I love the blue tint to this photo, it adds the the shipwreck a ghostly feeling. The foggy feel also really adds to the photo. Great photo!

Boston, MA Winner – Andy Hamilton – Digital Days Event April 18 & 19, 2009

What the judges had to say about Andy’s Photo –

~I love the movement this photo shows, not only the movement of the water but the movement of the surfer as well. Fantastic photo.

~The timing is wicked. I love the detail of the wave. It’s water is spewn everywhere, yet the surfer remains determined and steady.

~I’m a sucker for a sharp action shot. This has excellent framing and sense of action.

San Francisco, CA Winner – Katrina Kennedy – Digital Days Event April 25 & 26, 2009

What the judges said about Katrina’s Photo

~Compelling and true to life. The kid finishes the Hopscotch, but then what? I love the red and the oversized shirt.

~This picture tells a captivating story through the colors and composition.

~The colors are fantastic in this photo. I love how they flow and the eye is not drawn to one certain corner. The texture of the ground also adds to the photo to not make it so flat. So many stories can be told from this photo, great job.

New York, NY Winner – Jen Mueller – Digital Days Event May 16 & 17, 2009

What the judges said about Jen’s Photo

~The framing of the photo is perfect. The meditation area overlooking hills in the background and the valley below makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

~This picture keeps going on and on, into the fog. The artistry is intriguing and inviting.

~Beautiful, peaceful! This photo is inviting and relaxing I love the tree at the bottom though would like to have seen a little more of it. Great photo!

Nashville, TN Winner – Eddie Christy – Digital Days May 30 & 31, 2009

What the judges had to say about Eddie’s Photo

~I’m not sure what these plants are, but they look like champions compared to the puny pine needles they tower over. It’s cool how the straightest, brightest one is lighted in the background more than the others.

~Very interesting and beautiful photo. I really like the contrast of the brown dried ground and the bright fresh green of the new ferns.

Atlanta, GA Winner – Broderick Smylie – Digital Days Event June 6 & 7, 2009

What the judges had to say about Broderick’s Photo

~this photo is great and I think the black and white adds to it even more.

~The creepiness is captured so well in this. I know these aren’t the real actors, but the Joker looks so devious. The dutch angle adds so much to it. However, the busy background only helps bring the focus more to him. Meanwhile, the Marilyn Monroe character seems to try and ignore him…and he looks on.

To see all the photo entries please check out BenSpark’s Digital Days Photo Contest group on Flickr.

Thank you everyone who participated, I expect all the winners to let me know what they got out of the event and how much they enjoyed it.

Digital Days is a two day workshop for new photographers that travels around the country to 18 cities a year. The workshops have a beginner day (Day 1) and an intermediate day (Day 2). Here is the Digital Days schedule.

If you did not win but still want to go you can still attend, the two day event is $139.00 for a 2-Day pass. You can save 25% with promo code SPRING25 at Checkout. Register for Digital Days today.