With more than 1700 entries in our 2011 Fall Photo Contest, the judges had their work cut out for them. From a total of 68 finalists, these four images were selected as the winners. The contest judges – professional photographers Matt Rose and Emily Chaplin (emilychaplinphoto.com) and Our State staff members – chose the first, second, and third place winners. Readers’ votes determined the selection of the Readers’ Choice photograph.
With all of the submitted images, we were inspired by the beauty of North Carolina – from mountains to coast – and by the photographers who picked up their cameras and went in search of the perfect photograph of our beloved Tar Heel state in the fall.
Here are the winners, along with comments from our judges and the photographers themselves. You may click each image to enlarge and you may still view the finalists or all entries in the contest. You are welcome to continue to make comments on photographs.
Thanks to contest sponsors GreatSmokies.com and Bryson City. More information about the sponsors and the prizes can be found below the winning photographs.
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Judges’ Comments: This shot screams out fall, with the brightly colored foliage and the steam coming off the lake and the warm sunlight. Nice composition.
Photographer’s Comments: Early morning at Price’s Lake, fog on the water with brilliant morning sun. Taken at Price’s Lake along the Blue Ridge Parkway in October 2011.
Judges’ Comments: A fantastic capture, both beautifully executed and composed. This image reflects an extraordinary moment in nature.
Photographer’s Comment: The seasons transition in a vivid way along the ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains. What an unexpected pleasant surprise! Taken at Newfound Gap Road on October 20, 2011.
Judges’ Comments: The sea of fog settles between fall-colored ridges in this peaceful composition.
Photographer’s Comment: This is an image of the full moon setting below the Blue Ridge Mountains. This shot was taken right beside the road on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain on October 12, 2011.
Readers’ Comments: Expresses such boldness with a magical aura. Depth of this picture is very unique and the changing colors are captivating. God’s handiwork at its best!!! -ramblin4ro
So beautiful! I can feel the soft puffiness of those clouds!! Perfect image of our river! -Seasonb3
Photographer’s comment: I am constantly trying to capture that “perfect” sunrise that explodes in color. This photo not only seemed to get the color right, but it also captured the depth of the river with the rolling clouds above. The shadows and mirror images from the trees provides a calmness against the color. Taken in Elizabeth City in November 2010.
Our State‘s Fall Photo Contest is presented by Bryson City and GreatSmokies.com. Visit us for travel information, event listings, and trip resources.
The First Place winner will receive a package including three-nights accommodations provided by Bryson City Cabin Rentals, a fully-guided raft trip for a family of four from Nantahala Outdoor Center, and breakfast for four at Fryemont Inn (approximate total prize value: $1000, some restrictions will apply). Details of this and all prizes can be found in the Official Contest Rules.
The Second Place winner will receive a package including two-nights accommodations provided by Lands Creek Log Cabins, a ½ day fly fishing tour for one from Fly Fishing the Smokies, and breakfast for four at the Fryemont Inn (approximate total prize value: $750, some restrictions will apply.) Details of this and all prizes can be found in the Official Contest Rules.
The Third place winner will receive a package including Great Smoky Mountains Railroad tickets for a family of four and breakfast for four at Fryemont Inn (approximate total prize value: $350, some restrictions will apply.) Details of this and all prizes can be found in the Official Contest Rules.
The photo selected as the Readers’ Choice Photo will receive an Our State Gift Basket from the Our State Store. (approximate retail value: $60.)
To commemorate our 90th anniversary, we’ve compiled a time line that highlights the stories, contributors, and themes that have shaped this magazine — and your view of the Old North State — using nine decades of our own words.
From its northernmost point in Corolla to its southern terminus on Cedar Island, this scenic byway — bound between sound and sea — links the islands and communities of the Outer Banks.
Us? An icon? Well, after 90 years and more than 2,000 issues celebrating North Carolina from mountains to coast, we hope you’ll agree that we’ve earned the title.
After nearly a century — or just a couple of years — these seafood restaurants have become coastal icons, the places we know, love, and return to again and again.
