Congratulations Dave Koch, April 2025 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Primary Bedroom".Dave Koch - Entry 1056 Peter Wingfield - Entry 1051 Paul-Dan Dragoman - Entry 1053Here's what Dave has to say:Thank you so much — this real ...
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Congratulations to Tony Colangelo, Victoria BC, who won this months close still image contest. This is Tony's second win. He won this contest back in August of 2013.
A lot of great images this month! The competition is getting very keen in this contest. This month the voting was much closer than it's been for a long while.
Here is the jury's voting results:
Here are Tony's comments:
I must confess to being terribly surprised (and humbled!) by winning the POTM contest this month! The photo was from a practice-shoot, as I’ve been working on a couple things lately. The first is Scott Hargis’s technique of adding a straw gel to a flash that’s intended to light a stairwell. The other was rooted in my desire to improve the directionality of my lighting. Indeed, there are a number of photographers within my community whose lighting inspires me and makes me want to get better at controlling/managing light -- namely Kate Benjamin, Julie Mannell, Jason Roehner and, in particular, Barry McKenzie (to name a few!) In any case, thanks to all for the ongoing support and camaraderie! I’m so appreciative!
As for the photo, it’s a blending of an ambient frame, as the base, and three flash frames: one for the stairwell, using the straw gel; another for a pop of flash bounced into the blinds at the far right of the image (to add some directionality/shadowing to the orange chair); and a final pop using a Speedlight with a snoot attached, on a monopod, positioned over the corner of the bookcase by the DR table. All images hand-blended in PS, and finished-up with a couple of Nik Software plug-ins, for a bit of contrast/detail enhancement, as well as adding a smidgen of warmth to the entire space.
I have put all the names on the contest entries in the contest Flickr group. Thanks for everyone's participation!
Congratulations Tony. Well done.
Amazing..clean lines. Beautiful, perfect lighting.
Congrats, Tony - well deserved!!
Way to go Tony! I can imagine you being quite ecstatic.
Congratulations Tony.
Interesting that the lights are not on. If this was standard it certainly would make all our lives easier. I am curious to hear what everyone's perception of the importance of lights are and if you don't turn them on for shoots.
Congratulations Tony!
Great shot Tony.
"Interesting that the lights are not on. If this was standard it certainly would make all our lives easier."
There's a standard? I shoot probably 80% of real estate listings with the lights off. Definitely makes life easier and the photos tend to look better too ;-).
Congrats Tony: lovely management of flash and ambient throughout. That staircase with the clever flash lighting is a shot in itself!
Stellar Tony, there's a lot to like in this photo, and it's a great example of how continuing to push oneself can yield great results, kudos!
Good goin', Tony! Great-looking shot. And thanks for the detailed setup info...I was really curious how you lit this. Your work is always inspiring. (And couldn't agree more with Simon: That staircase...! 🙂
A heartfelt "thank you" to all of you for your kind congratulations and positive comments on the image! It's such an honour to win one of these contests and it's certainly a privilege to be able to share with one another on this forum. Thanks again!!
Congratulations Tony. Fantastic balancing of flash / ambient lighting. Beautifully natural result!!
@Tracy ... Thanks! 🙂
Congrats Tony, beautiful image.
Thanks Rob!
Great image, though the sliver of couch center-bottom is distracting.
Congratulations Tony! Well deserved, not only a great photographer, one of the most generous, humble and a person who is always willing to lend a hand and give a useful advice of your work and help you to improve. For me, a great satisfaction.
@ Mike J ... thank you!
@ David ... what a nice thing to say - thank you SO much - you've made my day! 🙂
Tony is a great photographer and a great person, im a follower of his work which inpire me to get better images, same as other of this blog and flickr group. Congs Tony your work is worth. claps! claps! claps!
Greg, what a wonderful comment - thank you!! I appreciate your feedback very much! 🙂