I've just returned home from the Sydney Christmas dinner, and I think it's fair to say that a good time was had by all. Certainly, if you judge it by the time spent amongst friends, when you spend five hours at a restaurant, only leaving when they threaten to call the cops after you refuse to leave (only kidding), then it's fair to say that we all enjoyed a most remarkable night.
The important stuff
Challenge 12 - Stella By Streetlight
The entries we recieved were of a wonderfully high standard. Of those submitted for spot rulings, none were rejected. This is good.
In order to ensure that, where prizes are on offer, no one person gets to win all the prizes, we have a rule for the challenges that precludes recent major prize winners from winning a further major prize within the next 12 months. I'm not sure whether this is good or bad, but this challenge is the first time that we've needed to apply this rule.
The winners and the votes:
(1) Stella's Big Day! - 18 voters (59) Liam West (d70beetleboy)
(2) Waiting for the exchange - 15 voters (49) Mick (d70Oscar)
(3) Street Wise - 17 voters (44) Simon Fallon (d70Manta)
(4) Stella by Streetlight - 10 voters (34) Dave (d70aussiedave)
(5) It was a Strange Night!! - 10 voters (32) Adam Jenner (d50admajic)
Well done, everyone.
The prizes ... here is where the fun really begins. LIam was the winner of the major prize in our most recent challenge, and thus was unable to win the prize for this challenge.
We had basically decided that the major prize for this challenge was going to be a printer .... But Mick is a long time friend of mine, and about a week or so he asked me what sort of printer he should buy, and naturally, I recommended an Epson R1800. Mick can, at the forum's expense, buy something valued at $200.
Simon (Manta) will be getting a CF card donated by Glen. Dave and Adam will be getting books.
And Liam, too, won't be unrewarded. I have a Ron Reznick DVD on digital techniques, donated by Andrew Jones, that I think he may enjoy.
Picture of the Year
This is always a tough choice. Our Pictures of the Week are of such a high standard, and to pick from one of those ...
I'm glad that this is your job to vote for this award.
But the honour for this year goes to Poon!
Outstanding Member of the Year
Matt K.
Whether it's critiquing an image, helping another member learn how to use their camera, running a photoshop workshop .... Matt is always there, ready and willing to help somebody else enjoy our shared passion for this hobby of photography.
Matt says he does it because he love photography, and that is true.
But with Matt, it's more than just a love of photography - it's a passion, and it burns within him. And it's a passion, not just for photography, but to help others share and enjoy it. He loves it, and this love shines through in his work, his images, and his abilities and his desire to help others.
MAtt, on behalf of everyone here at DSLRUsers, thank you, and congratulations.
Goodies
As you know, Poon was gracious and kind enough to send me a package of goodies for distribution to our members at our dinner. It was decided (by me) that the best and fairest way to decide who got what was to simply raffle them off as lucky door prizes.
The goodies included camera batteries, flash diffusers, camera remote controls, a Bagman bag, and a Benro KB-2 Ballhead.
The Benro Ballhead was won by Mick (Oscar), and the Bagman by Patrick (Reschsmooth).
The other prizes? Too many to mention, as everyone left woth something.
Poon, we thank you for your generosity; it is greatly appreciated.
Roll on the Silly Season!
and to Scott, Gary and all the behind-the-scenes workers that make these comps work so well. Terrific effort.
