Grand Prize
"The Flowers Also Dusted with Snow"
MANABE Manabu (Marugame, Kagawa)- Judges' Comments:
Snow fell on Mitoyo, where it rarely snows. It was an excellent choice to shoot these flowers on a snowy day. The quick shutter speed has frozen the snow in place and creates an excellent atmosphere. This photo creates a warmth within a cold scene.
First Prize
"Spring in Full Bloom"
UESUGI Kotetsu (Kan-onji, Kagawa)- Judges' Comments:
The location is not an easy one to photograph, but this shot brings together the beautiful color of blooming cherry trees with the clear sky. It feels like a shot from a 360-degree camera.
"Late Autumn on the Temple Grounds"
SATO Yuji (Shikoku Chuo, Ehime)- Judges' Comments:
A refreshing view of Autumn that looks like it could from a famous temple in Kyoto. It could be made even better if a pilgrim was present in the shot.
"Late Autumn Pilgrim"
MORIE Tadashi (Zentsuji, Kagawa)- Judges' Comments:
A novel photograph. In an area as warm as Kagawa, maples are slow to change color even in late Autumn. The area where the sunlight is strongest illuminates the upper tree like a spotlight. By making both sides of the gate dark, it emphasizes the pilgrims path and creates a particularly dramatic shot.
"Row of Blooming Sakura Trees in Spring"
ISHIKADO Naoyoshi (Mitoyo, Kagawa)- Judges' Comments:
The row of trees is wonderfully shot. The long line of trees continuing into the distance has an overwhelming presence, but for the student in frame it is an everyday sight. The viewer can feel Spring through this photograph.
Tourism Prize
"Early Afternoon"
HASHIKATA Yoko (Tadotsu, Kagawa)- Judges' Comments:
The geometric shape of the stairs is used to great effect, as is the distance and size of the figures. The framing also draws the eyes to the figures in the distance.
Mayor's Choice
"The Flower that Blooms Nowhere Else"
TANIGUCHI Hiroyuki (Takamatsu, Kagawa)- Judges' Comments:
Instead of shooting from near the port where the fireworks are set off, shooting from the top of Mt. Shiude creates a fantastic angle. The photographer seems to have used multiple exposures, and made good choices of which color of bursts to shoot. Wonderful both in the fireworks themselves and their reflection in the water.
Runners Up
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"Urashima Flower Park at Dusk"
OYANE Tobu (Miki, Kagawa)
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"Isle of Flowers"
OIKE Takashi (Manno, Kagawa)
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"Sea of Spring Clouds"
NAKANISHI Hirokazu (Mitoyo, Kagawa)
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"The Sun Sets"
SHIRAKAWA Norio (Kan-onji, Kagawa)
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"When it Grows Dark"
MIKI Masaya (Kan-onji, Kagawa)