2021 Chichibugahama Beach Contest:
Print Category
Grand Prize
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets">
- MANABE Shoichi (Mitoyo) "Setting Off"
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets - Judges' Comments:
During stormy weather at this usually calm beach, a flock of black-tailed gulls suddenly took flight all at once.
This many birds together with the sunlight streaming through the clouds is certainly a rare sight.
To capture this scene with the birds lined up like in a painting shows fantastic artistry.
First Prize
Theme: A) Natural Beauty">- MANABE Shoichi (Mitoyo) "Scenic Beach"
Theme: A) Natural Beauty - Judges' Comments:
This piece was taken by the same photographer as the grand prize winner, but it is its antithesis, with a bright and tropical mood.
The water is so clear and the sky so blue that one is almost tricked into thinking that Ibukijima Island is part of Okinawa.
It's made even more enjoyable by the lack of people in frame.
Theme: B) Reflections of Sea and Sky">- UESUGI Kotetsu (Kan-onji) "Summer Memory"
Theme: B) Reflections of Sea and Sky - Judges' Comments:
Skyview mirror photos are popular for their reds and oranges, but there are many great chances to take beautiful photos in blue with plenty of clouds.
The still water almost becomes a stage for the child's Summer memory.
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets">- MANABE Manabu (Marugame) "Illuminate Seto"
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets - Judges' Comments:
The Hiuchi-Nada area is around 20 meters deep, very deep for the Seto Inland Sea.
The islands coming together and the ships in the distance, with the setting sun dyeing everything bright orange allows the viewer to really feel the depth of the ocean.
A new angle on this area not frequently seen. 
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets">- OYANE Tobu（Kita-gun）"Chichibugahama Shining Incoming Tide"
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets - Judges' Comments:
The setting sun sends its rays of light to the shore until the last second.
The rising tide has reached the girl's feet.
The sun leads the eye to the girl- a dramatic photo. 
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets ">- SUDA Takashi (Takamatsu) "Homing Instinct"
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets - Judges' Comments:
The sun at Chichibugahama Beach doesn't just shine red and orange, but also yellow at times.
The perfectly golden sun reflects off the tide pools, creating a road to gently guide the black-tailed gulls home.
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Theme: A) Natural Beauty">- NAGATANI Yumi (Ehime) "Return Route"
Theme: A) Natural Beauty - Judges' Comments:
A simple composition of the silhouette of two people in the middle of a tide pool colored orange by the sun.
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Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets">- USAMI Azusa (Aichi) "Proposal Operation"
Theme: C) Majestic Sunsets - Judges' Comments:
While shooting with a GoPro reduces the image quality compared to other methods, a bold shot like this could only be taken on a GoPro.
The point of view of a beach-dwelling creature about to be stepped on by a giant is very interesting.
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Theme: B) Reflections of Sea and Sky">- SHINONAGA Hitomi (Ehime) "The Mermaid Princess Returns to the Sea"
Theme: B) Reflections of Sea and Sky - Judges' Comments:
Deliberately framing the shot to cut off at the woman's waist creates a fairy-tale-like scene of a mermaid who has been turning into a human by magic returning to the sea.
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Theme: A) Natural Beauty">- SAITO Anna (Kyoto) "A Chance Meeting"
Theme: A) Natural Beauty - Judges' Comments:
The positioning of Ibukijima Island at the very top of the frame and the strong line of sea foam in the foreground.
An overall light pink tone creates a photo that is gentle like Spring mist.
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Theme: B) Reflections of Sea and Sky">- Kuroki Yumiko (Kanagawa) "Twilight"
Theme: B) Reflections of Sea and Sky - Judges' Comments:
A new sight from Chichibugahama Beach a twilight that shows as pure white.
An umbrella gently laid in the water/mirror can be seen as the wings of a white heron.