8/6/2002 8:59:25 PM

Thank you! I'm in complete shock. I think maybe one of the judges has a thing for me.... ha ha ha ha ha --that was a joke, judges.

Thanks again, Heather. It means a lot to me (your work is one of my favorite inspirations).

8/6/2002 9:02:16 PM

Piper, dahling, congrats! Beautiful photo and very well done. Excellent!

8/6/2002 9:02:48 PM

Thank you!

8/6/2002 9:11:09 PM

How exciting Piper! Grand Prize!!! Way to go! Maybe since you got the Grand this month, that judge will head my way. I am batting my eyelashes right now! LOL

8/6/2002 9:31:01 PM

He/she is lucky I don't know who they are! I swear. Thanks much! And congrats to you too!

8/6/2002 9:38:20 PM

I wanted to scream and jump up and down for joy when I saw that you had won Grand Prize, but I'm at work right now and it would be inappropriate at deadline. :-) I am so thrilled for you Piper. A very big congratulations. ... And, as you know, I loved that Snoopy shot as soon as I saw it.

8/6/2002 9:39:56 PM

Oh, go ahead and scream! The News could use a little excitement. Ha ha. Thanks so much. I'm still in shock. Can't believe my eyes.

8/6/2002 9:44:05 PM

Piper!! Grand Prize!! How utterly delightful!! Wooo Hoooooo.... I am so happy for you!! Congrats!!

8/6/2002 9:47:19 PM

Thank you sooooo much! I'm so happy, I could bake a cake! :)

8/6/2002 10:13:12 PM

Congrats! Neighbor! Grand Prize for a grand lady. Whats in store for this months? Can't wait to see. Tom

8/6/2002 10:51:13 PM

Thanks, Tom. We Texans have need to get together somehow for a photography weekend. How about Austin or a wknd, or you pick. I know there are others out there. We need to post an ad! Thanks again!

8/6/2002 10:56:01 PM

That sounds like fun, I know Kimberly Johnson is here in San Antonio as well, she'd love to do something like that. Let's post an ad out to all Texans, and see if we can get a majority on when and where. Congrats again.

8/6/2002 11:00:06 PM

Piper,
Many congratulations!! That is fantastic! I am so happy for you and I love the photo.
Rhonda

8/6/2002 11:01:23 PM

Thank you Rhonda! Means a lot coming from you. I love your work.

8/6/2002 11:05:47 PM

congratulations on the win!!!
Judy

8/6/2002 11:11:30 PM

Thanks, Judy! I'm still reeling. All the great shots this month from all my favorite photogs, you included--it's just unbelieveable. Thanks again!

8/6/2002 11:17:01 PM

CONGRATS PIPER!!!

8/6/2002 11:57:58 PM

Big Congrats, Piper! Wonderful shot. I'm so glad for you!
+Guy

8/7/2002 12:03:38 AM

Piper,

Thanks for your comments on my Leopard Gecko image and congratulations on your starfish image. It's a wonderful reflection image. Keep up the great work.

Bob J.

8/7/2002 12:06:04 AM

Outstanding.... Congratulations!

DPG

8/7/2002 12:19:10 AM

Many, many congratulations, Piper. I'm really delighted for you! That's a great image and a very worthy Grand Prize Winner! Hooray!

8/7/2002 1:03:03 AM

Apart from being totally happy for your win (Yessssss.... you go girl!!! Had to get that out of my system), this is one extrordinary shot, the colours and dynamics are just perfect
Sooo sooo happy for you!!!
Cheers Adam

8/7/2002 1:51:49 AM

Congratulations Piper well done hope to see more of your work soom :).

Cheers!! jeff

8/7/2002 3:43:56 AM

Thanks so much, everyone. I'm so flattered and so excited. Like I was telling Jim, it's so funny how we fret and spaz over certain shots and how to make them good, and in the end it's those spur-of-the-moment snapshots that get noticed! I feel as if I can relax and shoot what I like to shoot now. This is such a load off! :) And in the words of Sally Field, "you like me! you really, really like me!"

8/7/2002 5:01:32 AM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!GRAND PRIZE,,,,,, A BIG CONGRATS TO YOU PIPER!!!

8/7/2002 6:41:03 AM

Congrats, girl..I had missed this one.Very nice, and I'm so thrilled for you..

8/7/2002 6:51:47 AM

Thanks Donna and Carolyn! Going to go out with my digital more often now. :)

8/7/2002 7:41:20 AM

congratulations! What a beautiful image!!!

8/7/2002 8:09:37 AM

Thanks, Brian! I wish we could do a search on photog's names so I could see your collection. Do you have a web site or gallery somewhere else?

In all honesty, this is not my favorite shot by any means. Check out my web site and sign the guestbook! www.pipershots.com

8/7/2002 8:13:02 AM

8/7/2002 8:51:17 AM

When you Texans get together, don't forget this Okie..Just a short hop away!

8/7/2002 9:06:26 AM

Thanks, Bob. Carolyn, Tom S. and I are thinking of placing an ad here somewhere to advertise our idea of getting Texans together for a wknd shoot in Austin (or wherever). You don't have to be from Texas to come, of course. Anyone and everyone are invited, but we thought it would be cool to try to meet up somewhere for our own photo field trip. We could organize a plan for where to meet and set up some shoot destinations and have a damn good time talking shop and shooting and basically being passionate about what our significant others just can't understand! :) I am about to talk to Jim about how to go about advertising for this, so keep your eyes open for the info! You also might e-mail me so I won't forget to notify you. Tell your friends! It's going to be the best photo party you've ever been to! Yippee!

8/7/2002 9:13:34 AM

Congrats on your win, Piper...a lovely photograph, and thanks for the nice comment on my "Vlad" photo....from the Birdman :^)

8/7/2002 10:15:47 AM

Thanks, Birdman! :)

8/7/2002 10:30:37 AM

Congrats Piper your the star this month one for the girls H00RAY

8/7/2002 3:16:05 PM

Hey, you're right! I never thought of the sex thing, but I can't remember the last time one of us gals won the grand prize. (I'm sure someone will be along soon to prove me wrong...).

Girl Power! Yahoo!
Thanks a bunch, Linda!

8/7/2002 3:18:25 PM

Really love this shot! One of your best! Congratulations!

8/7/2002 3:43:13 PM

Congratulations Piper,
What can I say--grand prize winner--wow. Does this mean that you will have two web sites now? LOL.

8/7/2002 3:48:33 PM

Hey now! Thanks a bunch, Jeff. You know I've been submitting to this contest for 2 years on a regular basis--it was just my turn, I guess.

Thanks for the comments! I'm opting for the next prize down, by the way. :)

8/7/2002 3:53:10 PM

Congratulations Piper...
This is one of your best, so it's a real winner.
A. Vagner, Denmark

8/7/2002 4:47:35 PM

Congratulations, Piper! This is just a fabulous shot!

8/7/2002 7:31:52 PM

Hi Piper, congratulations on a great shot!!

Mike.

8/7/2002 7:54:27 PM

Thanks, everyone!!

8/7/2002 8:03:05 PM

Stunning, Piper! Congrats on such an excellent shot!

8/7/2002 10:31:01 PM

Thanks, George!

8/7/2002 10:36:22 PM

Way to go girlfriend! You deserve it !
I'm really pleased for you :)
Keep up the great work Piper.
All the best

8/8/2002 9:05:01 AM

Thanks, Robert and another big thank you to everyone. These comments mean more to me than any contest win. I appreciate your feedback so much.

I encourage you all to either continue discussions or get back into the groove here at BP. Somehow, and I'm guilty as well, we've all shifted our attentions away from "talking shop" -- away from helping each other with thoughtful critiques -- to only competing in the contest. I'd really appreciate it if you'd join me in making an effort to click that "incoming" link whenever you sign on and critiquing at least 5-10 images before going over to the contest entries.

A good way to ignite those discussions is to add your technical info with each submission--whether in the contest or in the regular discussion forums. Seems to me most of us have gradually stopped doing this over the last few months.

There are a lot of really good images coming in on the regular queue--not meant for the contest at all. I have been trying to comment on each day's incoming shots whenever I sit down here. It only takes a few minutes.

Thanks again for all your kind words. I have said before that I frequently disagree with the judges' choice for Grand Prize. Not always, mind you, but sometimes. This months' is no exception. I'm still racking my brain to figure out what hallucinogen the judges have to have been snorting this month. There were so MANY fabuloso images in the finalist list. I won't go as far as revealing my favorites here--you already know who you are...

Cheers everyone!

P.S. Tom S. and I are planning a Photography Weekend Fieldtrip in Central Texas for sometime in the fall. All you non-Texans (poor souls...) are invited to come too. We haven't mapped out the details yet, but we will try to post an ad somewhere around here soon. You are free to e-mail me or Tom if you're interested in coming. It's going to be a great party.

p

8/8/2002 9:29:16 AM

Hey Piper -
I love your suggestion about making an effort to comment on more photos and am going to do this myself, I swear! The best part of this site is that we can help and encourage each other!!
I do love your photo, though, and wanted to make sure I got in my two cents worth - what a wonderful job!!

8/8/2002 11:42:13 AM

Thank you, Eileen! Much appreciated.

I meant to add that we should also try and answer some of the questions that come in on the Q&A. There are so many levels of expertise here at BP and so many people who have found their "niche." Share your knowledge and experiences with technique, equipment, and creativity!

Thanks again, Eileen. And thanks for "swearing." :)

8/8/2002 11:49:50 AM

Congrats Piper - great shot! I'd love to come on your Texan weekend shindig. It's a bit far from the UK but I know you are all oil millionaires in Texas (we got 'Dallas' over here ya'know) so book me on Concorde will you?

8/8/2002 2:33:35 PM

I've got a better idea. Why don't you fly me to Manchester, and we'll call it even...

or something like it.

Thanks for the funny. Made my day.

8/8/2002 3:13:02 PM

Piper-

WOW!!!!Absolutely stunning stunning image!

8/10/2002 2:34:33 AM

I absolutely love the textures ! Congratulations and good job !

8/15/2002 3:45:03 AM

Hi Piper I too would have liked to come along for your field trip but I cant afford to fly out from Australia. But maybe one day when my photographs get recognized and people would want to pay me money for them LoL:), until then have a good trip and a drink on me.
Cheers!! Jeff.

8/15/2002 11:20:14 PM

Thanks, all! Jeff, you can invite me to your place anytime. I've been fantasizing about Australia for the longest. Have met many new e-mail friends from Oz and from across the ditch there in Kiwiland, but the only Aussies I've ever met in person are famous ones. Go figure.

8/15/2002 11:37:40 PM

Hey Piper consider yourself invited anytime :).

8/15/2002 11:49:27 PM

Add me to your list of admirers, Piper - this is an amazingly simple photo but filled with such grace and beauty - and texture too! Congratulations on your grand prize win - I'm SO HAPPY for you!

8/16/2002 11:27:17 PM

I also wanted to say congratulations. This photo is a great one. I haven't had an internet connection for awhile so I haven't been able to visit and comment on anyone's photos, but I just wanted to say well done.

8/18/2002 9:55:21 AM

Thanks, Johnathan! I know the feeling of losing your connection. You start to wonder, 'what do people do without the internet?!' Hope you found something productive to do, like shoot more photos! Sometimes I think I'm spending too much time in this chair and not enough out THERE with my camera...

8/18/2002 10:01:18 AM

Piper....Congratulations, havent been here for a while and am glad to see you've made an impact with the judges...

H

8/25/2002 10:18:29 AM

Great work Piper, I don't know why I did not see this one. Congratulations.

This is such an extraordinary photo. How were you able to get such a clear picture through glass - polarizer filter? Did you have any control over the lighting or were you in a public venue? Absolutely great work, one of your best! :)

10/21/2003 9:57:49 AM

wow great picture .. I like it simple but it speaks volume...:-)..tonya

7/20/2004 6:40:28 PM

this is really a gr8 pic.congratulations.

12/2/2007 1:08:04 AM