Your Best Shot Contest Winners

First Prize: Donnie Sexton
Title: Wild Horses of Cappadocia
I was traveling with a small group of photographers in Turkey, September 2021. Our local guide knew of a herd of wild horses near Cappadocia, and we got permission from the owner to photograph the horses on his land. We set up in what we felt was a good position to catch the herd running up and down his field. Three young men on horses were maneuvering the herd back and forth. Several times the herd stampeded towards us in a cloud of dust, but thankfully, they turned away just in time to avoid a train wreck between man and beast.

Second Prize: Matte Hanna
Title: Super Flower Blood Moon Eclipse
This shot was taken in Bandon, Oregon, during the Super Flower Blood Moon lunar eclipse. I was excited knowing that I would get a full view of the event on the Oregon coast if the skies remained clear, but the weather report was a mixed bag. I had chosen this location in advance for the incredible formations of sea stacks on the Pacific Ocean which helped created an otherworldly landscape and atmosphere.
I waited through the night until the tide was low enough to walk out onto the sand to the location I had selected and then began to set up for the composition of the moon in eclipse totality over the sea stacks. The skies were becoming partially foggy but stayed just clear enough to capture this image. Minutes after this shot was taken, the Pacific coastal fog and clouds swallowed up the sky leaving no trace of the moon or eclipse.

Third Prize: Dale Johnson
Title: Morning Prayers
I was in Delhi, India, on a business trip and had some time over the weekend to get out and explore with my camera. I had done a bit of research on what there was to see, and the Jama Masjid Mosque was high on my list. I arrived there at about 7:00 a.m. and the place was quiet. One man was sweeping the floor in the mosque and then laying out prayer rugs in long rows.
I wandered around finding different angles to shoot when a man walked in and began his morning prayers. He chose to pray in the single sunbeam that shown into the mosque. I couldn’t have picked a better spot if I had been directing him on where to go. I stayed back at a distance so as not to disturb him and captured this image.
As this is one of the largest mosques in India, I had been hoping to see hundreds of people all lined up in prayer, but after getting this shot, I was more than happy with the result I go that morning.
Prizes

- $500 cash prize
- One (1) Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Digital Camera
- One (1) Sony E PZ 16–50 mm F3.5–5.6 OSS
- One (1) Gura Gear 45 Kiboko v2.0 22L backpack
- One (1) Gura Gear 45 Et Cetera 2L case
- One (1) Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Kit with 3-Way Head
- One (1) ExpoDisc 2.0 – Professional White Balance Filter
- One (1) FlashBender v3 Large Soft Box Kit
- One (1) MK Controls Lightning Bug™ Shutter Trigger
- One (1) Hardcover, high-quality Bay Photo photo book featuring winners and all finalists
- Placement as Digital Photo and Imaging Resource Facebook Cover Photo
- Publication in the Digital Photo and Imaging Resource online Winners’ gallery

- $250 cash prize
- One (1) Gura Gear 45 Kiboko v2.0 22L backpack
- One (1) Gura Gear 45 Et Cetera 2L case
- One (1) ExpoDisc 2.0 – Professional White Balance Filter
- One (1) FlashBender v3 Large Soft Box Kit
- One (1) MK Controls Lightning Bug™ Shutter Trigger
- One (1) Hardcover, high-quality Bay Photo photo book featuring winners and all finalists
- Publication in the Digital Photo and Imaging Resource online Winners’ gallery

- $100 cash prize
- One (1) Gura Gear 45 Kiboko v2.0 22L backpack
- One (1) Gura Gear 45 Et Cetera 2L case
- One (1) ExpoDisc 2.0 – Professional White Balance Filter
- One (1) FlashBender v3 Large Soft Box Kit
- One (1) MK Controls Lightning Bug™ Shutter Trigger
- One (1) Hardcover, high-quality Bay Photo photo book featuring winners and all finalists
- Publication in the Digital Photo and Imaging Resource online Winners’ gallery

Frequently asked questions and official rules
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If your question isn’t answered here, please send us an email at contests@madavor.com with the following details:
- The name of the contest (2021 Your Best Shot Photo Contest)
- Your username
- The image ID # (if applicable)
- The exact nature of your problem
Question: Who may enter?
Contest is open to individuals over the age of 18 and residents of the U.S..
Question: How do I enter?
Click “Submit Your Images.” You’ll need to be logged in to your Digital Photo account to enter. If you don’t have an account, click here to register for your free account.
Question: In what format should I submit my photos?
Each photograph must be submitted in .JPG format and cannot exceed 5 MB in size. Also, make sure your photo is in the sRGB color space, or else your image may look discolored.
Question: How many photos may I enter?
You may enter as many photos as you like. Pricing is one (1) photo for a $25 entry fee, or two (2) photos for a discounted fee of $35. You can purchase either of these packages as many times as you like.
Pricing For Submissions
Regular Entry Period
1 Photo: $25
2 Photos: $35
Simply visit the entry page at https://www.dpmag.com/photo-contests/your-best-shot/ and the system will determine your order status.
Question: Is my credit card information secure?
Absolutely! The payment form is hosted on our secure payment processor’s site and your credit card information (including your physical address) is submitted directly to the applicable credit card company through 256-bit encrypted pages. The header graphic is the only non-secure item on the payment page and only your email and the success/failure message of the transaction are submitted back to our site.
Question: I want to enter your contest but I’m confused about how entering works. It’s asking me to pay before uploading my image(s). Is this right?
In order to enter our photo contests, you first pay for your submission package. Once you do this, you will be redirected to submit your entry. You can submit your entry any time before the contest deadline.
Question: Can I pass the word on this competition to my friends, classmates, Facebook/Twitter followers, etc.?
Yes, please! The link to the contest portal is https://www.dpmag.com/photo-contests/your-best-shot/
Question: Do I have to print or mail in my photos?
No. Please upload entries using the online entry form. Mailed submissions will not be accepted.
Question: Can I process my photos using Photoshop or another image-processing program?
Entries must be a single image as captured by the camera, with adjustments limited to standard photo processing such as color and exposure adjustments and basic retouching such as spot removal or noise reduction.
Images must not be “composite images” that combine subjects or elements from different scenes—replacing a background or sky, for example.
Exceptions include the use of HDR exposure stacking, focus stacking or similar techniques used for a single composition where the camera was not moved. As part of the judging process, our judges at their discretion may request the original RAW file or JPEG capture for review.
Question: Can I watermark my photos?
While we prefer you do not use watermarks on your submitted images because they can muddle the judging process, we understand that you want to protect your work. You may use a small watermark in the corner of your image, but we ask that you refrain from using a substantial watermark that covers a large portion of your photograph.
Question: When will the winners be notified and announced?
On or before February 28, 2022.
Question: What are the prizes?
See the contest landing page or the official rules for a complete list of contest prizes.
Question: Can I edit my submission after I’ve already submitted it?
If you’d like to make any changes to your entry, please email us and indicate:
- The name of the contest (Your Best Shot 2021 Photo Contest)
- Your username
- The image name
- The changes you would like to be made to the submission
Question: I accidentally submitted the same photo twice. How do I fix this?
Please email us with the name of your duplicate submission, and we will remove it for you so you can re-upload. In your email, please indicate:
- The name of the contest (Your Best Shot 2021 Photo Contest)
- Your username/email
- The image name
Question: When I try to enter online, I get an error message. What's going on?
If your attempts at entering online aren’t successful, our system might be struggling. Try waiting a few minutes, then clear your browser’s cache and cookies—you might even try restarting your computer—and go to the online entry page again.
Additionally, title your photos with alphanumeric characters only. Please don’t use apostrophes, ampersands or any other character symbol, as doing so may cause errors during uploading.
Question: I've tried clearing my cache and cookies, and I even bought a new computer. The online entry form just isn't working for me.
Double-check that the size of your images meets our requirements. If all else fails, send us an email at contests@madavor.com. In your email, please indicate:
- The name of the contest (2021 Your Best Shot Photo Contest)
- Your username
- The image ID # (if applicable)
- The exact nature of your problem
Digital Photo Your Best Shot Official Rules
ELIGIBILITY:
Digital Photo and Imaging Resource’s 2021 Digital Photo Your Best Shot Photo Contest (“Contest”) is open only to individuals who are over 18 years of age and who are residents of the U.S. Employees of Madavor Media, LLC, (“Sponsors”), and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child and sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and/or those living in same household of each, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate or win. Sponsors reserve the right to verify all eligibility requirements. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
CONTEST PERIOD:
The Contest will begin on August 17, 2021 at 7:00 AM PDT, and end on October 5, 2021 at 11:59 PM PDT (the “Contest Period”). After October 5, users can still submit photos from October 6, 2021 at 12:00 AM PDT until October 12, 2021 at 11:59 PM PDT (the “Extension Period”) at an increased price.
HOW TO ENTER:
Click the submit your images button above to submit. All entries must be received by October 12, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. PDT to be eligible. Each photograph must be submitted in .JPG and cannot exceed 5 MB in size. Entry fees during the Contest Period are $25 for one submission and $35 for two submissions. Entry fees during the Extension Period may increase.
Please note: Entries submitted online will be eligible for (i) the Grand Place Prize (as described below), (ii) Second Place Prize (as described below), (iii) Third Place Prize (as described below), and (iv) Finalist Prize (as described below).
Entry must be the original work of the entrant and entrant must be the sole owner of the copyright of such entry. Entry must be in keeping with the Sponsors’ image and may not be inappropriate or offensive, as determined by the Sponsors in their sole discretion, nor can it defame or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person’s personal or property rights or any other third-party rights. The Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to disqualify any entry they deem to be offensive, inappropriate, that is not in keeping with Sponsors’ image or that is otherwise not in compliance with the terms of these Official Rules. Entrant must have obtained express written consent to submit any entry that contains persons other than entrant or third-party elements not owned by entrant and, if requested to do so, produce such written consent from appropriate parties in a form and manner acceptable to the Sponsors.
By submitting an Entry, entrant acknowledges and agrees that Sponsors may obtain many Entries in connection with this Contest and/or other contests staged and/or promoted by the Sponsors, and that such Entries may be similar or identical in theme, idea, format or other respects to other Entries submitted in connection with this Contest and/or other contests sponsored by the Sponsors or submitted for other reasons or other materials developed by the Sponsors. Entrant waives any and all claims entrant may have had, may have, and/or may have in the future, that any Entry and/or other works accepted, reviewed and/or used by the entrant may be similar to his/her Entry, or that any compensation is due to entrant in connection with such Entry or other works used by Sponsors.
GRAND PLACE PRIZE JUDGING:
One (1) potential Grand Place Prize winner, one (1) potential Second Place winner, one (1) potential Third Place winner, and up to twenty-five (25) potential Finalists will be determined from among all eligible entries received by a panel of qualified judges, based equally on the following criteria: Adherence to Theme, Composition and Creativity/Originality (“Judging Criteria”). The entrants who submitted the entry receiving the highest scores, as determined by the Sponsors in their sole discretion, will be the potential winners and finalists respectively.
In the event of a tie for any prize, an additional “tie-breaking” judge will determine the applicable winner or finalists from among those tied using the Criteria. The Sponsors reserve the right to not award any prize if, in their sole discretion, an insufficient number of eligible and qualified entries are received. Decisions of the Sponsors and judges are final and binding.
WINNER NOTIFICATION:
Potential winners will be notified by telephone, mail and/or e-mail by and will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability and, unless prohibited, a Publicity Release, a W-9 Form and any additional documents that may be required by prize provider within fourteen (14) days of date of issuance. If any potential winner is an eligible minor in his or her jurisdiction of residence, prize may, at the Sponsors’ discretion, be awarded in the name of the parent or legal guardian, and such parent or legal guardian will be required to fulfill all requirements imposed on winners set forth herein. Noncompliance with this time period or with these Official Rules, or the return of any prize notification as undeliverable, may result in disqualification and, at the Sponsors’ discretion, the prize will be awarded to an applicable runner-up.
PRIZES:
Grand Place Prize: $500 (U$D) cash prize;
One (1) Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Digital Camera (ARV $898); One (1) E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens (ARV $298); One (1) Gura Gear 45 Kiboko v2.0 22L backpack (ARV $329.95); One (1) Gura Gear 45 Et Cetera 2L case (ARV $29.95); One (1) Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Kit with 3-Way Head (ARV $449.99); One (1) ExpoDisc 2.0 – Professional White Balance Filter (ARV $49.95); One (1) FlashBender v3 Large Soft Box Kit (ARV $59.95); One (1) Lightning Bug™ (ARV $179); One (1) Hardcover, high-quality Bay Photo photo book featuring winners and all finalists; Placement as Digital Photo and Imaging Resource’s Facebook Cover Photo (ARV priceless); Publication in the Digital Photo and Imaging Resource online Winners’ gallery.
Total First Place ARV: Approximately $2,334.90
Second Place Prize: $250 (U$D) cash prize;
One (1) Gura Gear 45 Kiboko v2.0 22L backpack (ARV $329.95); One (1) Gura Gear 45 Et Cetera 2L case (ARV $29.95); One (1) ExpoDisc 2.0 – Professional White Balance Filter (ARV $49.95); One (1) FlashBender v3 Large Soft Box Kit (ARV $59.95); One (1) Lightning Bug™ (ARV $179); One (1) Hardcover, high-quality Bay Photo photo book featuring winners and all finalists; Publication in the Digital Photo and Imaging Resource online Winners’ gallery.
Total Second Place ARV: approximately $788.90
Third Place Prize: $100 (U$D) cash prize;
One (1) Gura Gear 45 Kiboko v2.0 22L backpack (ARV $329.95); One (1) Gura Gear 45 Et Cetera 2L case (ARV $29.95); One (1) ExpoDisc 2.0 – Professional White Balance Filter (ARV $49.95); One (1) FlashBender v3 Large Soft Box Kit (ARV $59.95); One (1) Lightning Bug™ (ARV $179); One (1) Hardcover, high-quality Bay Photo photo book featuring winners and all finalists; Publication in the Digital Photo and Imaging Resource online Winners’ gallery.
Total Third Place ARV: Approximately $638.90
Current total ARV of all prizes: approximately $3,662.70
All prize details are at the sole discretion of the Sponsors. No substitution, cash equivalent or transfer of prizes permitted by winners. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) of comparable or greater value, in their sole discretion. All federal, state and local taxes as well as any costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being awarded are sole responsibility of each winner. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by the Sponsors. Limit one (1) prize per household.
USE OF ENTRY:
By submitting an entry, entrant grants the Sponsors and their designees an irrevocable, royalty-free, nonexclusive, worldwide perpetual license to use the entry and his/her name, city and state of residence for credit purposes in Sponsors’ online galleries, without further compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law. In addition, each winner grants to the Sponsors and their designees an irrevocable, royalty-free, nonexclusive, worldwide perpetual license to use and distribute the entry (as submitted, or as cropped by the Sponsors), and his/her name, city and state of residence for credit purposes, in any and all media now or hereafter known, including without limitation in Digital Photo, Imaging Resource, and any Madavor Media magazines for purposes of promotion of this Contest except as otherwise stated herein, without further compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law.
USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Your personal information collected in connection with this Contest will be used in accordance with Madavor Media’s Privacy Policy (available at http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/privacy-policy) including, without limitation, for marketing and promotional purposes.
MISCELLANEOUS: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for late, lost, garbled, damaged, incomplete, delayed, undelivered, or misdirected entries or photographs or for computer, technical, printing, typographical, human or other errors relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, inability to access any website associated with the Contest, errors which may occur in the administration of the Contest, the processing or judging of entries, the announcement of the prizes or in any Contest-related materials. If for any reason the Contest (or any portion thereof) is not capable of running as planned, including infection by tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsors reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and, if terminated, at its discretion, determine winners from among all non-suspect, eligible entries received up to time of such action using judging procedure described above. By participating, entrant agrees (i) to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsors and judges, which are final and binding in all respects, and (ii) to hold the Sponsors and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, prize suppliers and advertising and promotion agencies, and the respective directors, officers, employees and agents of the foregoing (collectively, the “Released Parties”), harmless against any and all claims and liability arising, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, out of or in connection with participation in this Contest, acceptance and use of any prize or Released Parties’ use of any of the rights granted herein. Sponsors may disqualify (and void all associated entries) anyone from participating in the Contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that such person is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, deception or other unfair practices, or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrant or Sponsors’ representatives or who is otherwise not in compliance with the terms of these rules. ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
WINNERS’ LIST: For the list of winners (available after February 28, 2022), send a separate, stamped, self-addressed envelope to: DPH/IR 2021 Your Best Shot Photo Contest Winners’ List, Attn: Marketing Department, 35 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 101, Braintree, MA 02184, to be received by March 31, 2022
SPONSORS:
Madavor Media, 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 404, Braintree, MA 02184
Gura Gear, 9219 Katy Fwy Ste 179, Houston, Texas, 77024
Bay Photo, 920 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Vitec Imaging Distribution Inc, 120 East Main Street, Box # 379, Ramsey, NJ 07446 USA
MK Controls