Congratulations To Kerry Bern - PFRE Photographer Of The Month For January

Congratulations to Kerry Bern, Ankeny, Iowa who the jury has voted January PFRE Photographer of the month. This month's theme is exterior twilight shots.

Here are the contestants that the Jurors awarded points to this month:

1. #2 - Kerry Bern, Ankeny, Iowa
2. #9 - Brett Gray, Brisbane, Australia
3. #16 - Andrew Pece, San Clemente, California
4. #11 - Robert Morning, Los Angeles, California
5. #7 - Matthew Stallone, Woodbridge, Ontario
6. #6 - Anders Carlson - Kailua Kona, Hawaii
7. #17 - Brandon Cooper, Fort McMurray, Alberta
8. #3 - Thom Neese, Omaha, Nebraska
9. #5 - David Barger, Tucson, Arizona

If you are interested in understanding the rationale of some of the jurors be sure to go have a look at the comments in the Flickr contest pool postings.

Here are Kerry's comments:

My initial reaction when I received Larry’s email this morning was “You’re joking, right?” I really appreciate all of the feedback on my submission this month and especially want to thank the jurors who voted for my image! When a lot of me started this journey of PFRE all I had to learn this craft was this blog, Larry’s two eBooks and the PFRE Flickr group. Now, through this blog, virtually all of the resources one needs from starting their business, to shooting, lighting, processing, editing and coaching are available. None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for Larry’s dedication. Larry, I can never thank you enough and tell you how much I appreciate all that you do for me and this community!

I composed this shot from across the street and since the home sits higher than the street and on the side of a hill I had to raise the camera about 12’ so that the camera was at the same level as the home. This image is a manual blend of three images. Base image for the house, a later, longer exposure for the windows and an earlier exposure for the sky. After blending in PS, in LR I added two Radial Filters. The first one brightened the house with the Invert Mask box selected. Then I duplicated the Radial Filter, unchecked the Invert Mask box and lowered the exposure to create a vignette to help draw the eye to the home.

Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad I could help out.

PFRE Photographer of the Month Winners:

• February 2016 PFRE Photographer Of The Month
• November 2015 PFRE Photographer Of The Month
• October 2015 PFRE Photographer Of The Month