[Evening]

So I'm studying photography at the moment, and I got emailed about about a photography competition that involved submitting a photo and whoever has the best photo and reason why it is their favourite holiday destination wins a new camera worth nearly a thousand dollars. I just discovered that I'm actually one of the top 10 finalists, and now I am absolutely losing my mind because my current camera isn't quite doing so well, and if it ends up with too many issues I'll have to leave my photography course because I can't afford a new one. And I'm already stressing about my photography because I am so far behind with assignments. I need as many online votes as I can to win, but the way the voting is done you can actually do it once a day, and honestly, even I can't be bothered spending the next 11 days voting for my photo that much.

If anyone here wants to vote for me it would be much appreciated, hopefully votes count even if you aren't in Australia. This is my entry (and I'm aware my name is on there)

Innes National Park

I know it's not the end of the world if I don't win, but hey, I'll be stressed out anyway. And of course if I lose I'll take it personally and mope about it. I'm already moping just looking at some of the other entries and knowing they are quite good. I need some good vibes right now, I think I may have bitten off more than I can hew entering because I just woke up from a dream that I came completely last, and I could see how many votes I lost by.

I do photography too, it's been a serious hobby (my only real hobby besides writing) for about 3 years...I do more macros as there isn't much else to photograph here where I live, and I don't get to travel much (based on being unemployed and lack of funds). Blah!

Anyway, I love your photograph ....wonderful mood (great mist effect with the exposure) and excellent perspective. I voted and will keep voting...not in Australia, but it seems to work. Congrats to you, I really hope you win, I know you must be so excited and you are really talented.

And if that is you in your comments (your icon), you should model...seriously. So I hope you are at least the subject of your own work sometimes! (Selfies are hard for me...I have done like...2.)

[spondiferous]

I voted for ya. Hope you win!

[Evening]

Wow thank you so much guys! As for my picture, yes it is me, it was a photo I took for an assignment that I'm now no longer going to use because it doesn't quite fit the composition requirements. It maaaay have had some photoshopping done *taps nose*

[Evening]

As for people voting from other places, I hope it counts, I mean I have friends on Facebook who are from overseas. Perhaps they can't tell where people are from when they vote so it doesn't matter?

[shezbut]

Beautiful photograph, Evening! I voted for you

Good luck!

[spondiferous]

When I voted it had a check mark so I'm assuming that meant that the vote was successful. (And I'm in North America.)

That's a great shot. There are 3 or 4 really nice photos there. I voted for yours

[Evening]

Thankyou everyone, cross your fingers for me!

[Yoda]

[Maven]

I voted and commented. Hope you win!

[Sabrina]

Good luck, it is a lovely photo

[Evening]

Thankyou thankyou thankyou everyone!

On a slightly down note, my cousin informed me she didn't really want to be voting, and my grandfather said he didn't really like my photo. It was quite hurtful. Well he didn't say 'I don't like it' as such, he said 'why'd you shoot it in black and white?' 'You know what's wrong with your picture? The water. I don't like the water. I hate it when waterfalls are shot like that too'. He said it in front of my family too.

[Maifah]

WOW! :-) Great pic! :-)

[shezbut]

(((Evening)))

I'm sorry that your grandfather wasn't supportive, and rather critical. Sometimes people can be real yahoos!

I think that your photograph is beautiful!!

[lynn P.]

I voted for you Evening - its a stunning photo!! My 15 yr old loves photography too. I hope you win and don't feel discouraged it you don't win because that photo is gorgeous. Best of luck.

Try not to feel down about what your grandfather said. It was insensitive but I'm sure he was trying to be helpful
Maybe you could explain the merits of B&W photography to him.

[Lenox99]

Good luck!

I am so sorry about your grandfather...the water needed to be shot in long exposure, and it's perfect! Also the choice to make it b&w was excellent; the photo really is gorgeous! Again, I am so sorry about what your grandfather said to you, I know it must have been very hurtful.

[Fresia]

It is a lovely shot!! I love black and white, and sepia is also one of my favorites. I voted and will keep checking back.

I am sorry about what your grandfather said. I try to keep in mind everyone has their own tastes when it comes art as it so very personal in how it reaches us. At least he took interest, studied it, and paid attention to be able to comment.... that says something positive about him caring about your work.

Good luck with the contest!

[Evening]

Thanks everyone, I'm not sure he realised how that made me feel, but it was a bit inappropriate to say. I'm not even sure why it mattered when I got in the top 10 anyway so it's about what picture people like the most.
Someone in my photography class though said they thought my photo was definitely the best, so that was nice of them.

When family makes hurtful comments, it's still hard regardless...they are family.
I looked at the rest of them today and I also truly think yours is the best. I have a clear 2nd pick but none others stand out so much for me. I hope everyone else thinks yours is #1, too!

[Evening]

Thankyou, though I'm not feeling overly confident about winning. I just want it to be over honestly, I'm quite stressed about it. I mean there is a second and third prize, but neither of those are particularly of any use to me so I think if I did get second or third I'd turn it down. I just need that camera. I was kind of expecting my friends to be sharing it on facebook but most of them haven't been, even though I've been posting it every day.
And the company that is running the competition has posted 2 of the other finalists pictures on their page. I don't really think that is fair, as that means the pictures they are showing are going to get more publicity than the other pictures in the competition.

I just need that camera so much!

You can vote for each entry once per day.

Wish I'd noticed that sooner. Voting ends on May 14.

[shezbut]

Thanks for that tip, George H.!! I didn't realize that we could continue to vote daily.