Week 13 Winner

This weeks winner is Adam T. with this well framed and 'perfect for the season' photo of Washington Park. Adam has proven to have a remarkable eye over the past weeks with several amazing photo's that he has submitted on a weekly basis. It shocks me that this is only his second photo to win the weekly prize. Great photo Adam, thank you!

Spider Decor

Molly C. gives us our last entry for the week with this cool picture of a spider and her web. She also commented “I've lived in Portland just shy of 2 months. When I moved in I quickly noticed a plethora of elaborate spider webs all over the city. I enjoyed watching different spiders on different occasions spinning their web so elegantly. I snapped this picture while walking in SW on Sept 25, '10.” Great shot Molly, thank you and welcome to the Portland community!

Before the Makeover...

Here is a great photo submitted by Monica S of an old downtown building prior to it’s makeover. Monica added in it’s description “…appreciating the meeting of natural and modern art.”. Well said Monica and thank you for the neat photograph.

Saturday Market

Shelly S. put it best with the following description to go with this great photo: “Here’s another Saturday Market pic, this one from last weekend. It’s the “new” old Skidmore Fountain building that now houses the Mercy Corps headquarters. What I liked were the juxtapositions – the new architecture against the old streetlights, the deciduous fall foliage outside against the tropical plant in the office.” Great photo Shelly, thank you.

Old Portland Structures

Satara R. submitted this neat photo of an old building in Macleay Park. I have never seen this place before and now have a new treasure to find in one of our many Portland parks. Thank you Satara for the new adventure and a great photo.

Pioneer Cemetery

Elizabeth A. submitted this photo with the following description: “I shot this last weekend at a mostly forgotten pioneer cemetery in Kenton (North Portland). It feels right for the season...” If you like Elizabeth’s work, you should come by our Glisan Café and see her stuff on our walls. Her work will be on display until November 9th. Great photo Elizabeth, thank you.

Reflections by Robert G.

Here is another trippy photo from Robert G. Don’t get to wigged out, there is a reason it’s called “Reflections by Robert G”. The picture was taken on an early morning from the old Sauvie Island Bridge. The silver clouds reflected on a smooth body of water can make for some cool photos. Thank you Robert.

A Touch of Fall

One of the best parts of this photo contest is the opportunity to meet others from within the community. Another is finding the gifts that hide within the people and giving them a platform from which they can display their talent. This “final garden” photo from John W. is another fine example of this. John does not yet have a website of his own to show his work, but I have been thrilled to post every photo he has sent in over the past few weeks. I have invited him and he has graciously agreed to allow the World Cup Glisan Café to host his first exhibit starting on July 10th, 2011. I (for one) am very much looking forward to this. Another great photo John, thank you!

Washington Park Trails

Here is another fantastic shot from Adam T. He said it best when he wrote "...a shot from Washington Park taken last Thursday(10/21/10). I have just starting exploring all the trails, and what an awesome time of year for it...the trees are unreal at the moment... I suggest to anyone with a jacket, to get out there!" Thank you Adam.

Fading in the Sunset

Kathy M. submitted this fine photo with this bit on current events: The iconic "Made in Oregon" sign, so visible from Old Town, will soon be changing to "Portland Oregon." The official change date will be the day after Thanksgiving. Look for the neon sign. Yes, the deer remains and will still have a red nose for Christmas. Thank you Kathy.

Cart Culture

We received this cool photo from John K. He put it best when he writes “Cart culture. Nightfall at Wy'east Pizza, in SE Portland, June 2010. The warm light from the cart is nothing compared to the 800 degree oven inside...” Great shot John, thank you!

Rooftop House Show

One of the best things about Portland is the diverse types of talent we have in this city. Our contest has brought to the surface a few people that know how to work a camera, but this photo submitted by Mimi L. reminds us of all the talented musicians we are surrounded by. Mimi states “I wanted to submit my photo of a rooftop house show in NW Portland. My friend Shelby Sifers was playing”. Great phot Mimi, thank you!

Reeds

Gene F kicks off week 13 with this beautiful photo of reeds at George Rogers Park, Lake Oswego. …I don’t actually have much to say about reeds other then the fact that I sure like this photo. Sorry I couldn’t come up with something more profound to go with your great picture Gene. Let’s just chalk this lack of creativity on my part to it being Monday. Thank you for a good photo to start off our new week.

Week 12 Winner

Our judges voting process is a funny thing. The three judges can have vastly different opinions on each one of these photos. After two judges have voted (with a sliding point scale method), you would think the winner is clear. Then the third judge votes unwittingly throwing the numbers completely off. In the end, the photo that wins has a special meaning to me, but I gave it the lower rating amongst all three judges. I am glad to know I can’t sway the votes… for better or worse. Also glad to know I didn't need to show your photo favoritism for it to win this weeks compitition. Congratulations Amanda F. and thank you for this photo! It is truly Portland and really does deserve to win (as illustrated by our non-biased judges).

Tugboat Through Portland

I love this photo and I am glad Adam T. re-submitted it. This is a new photo and reminds me of how timeless Portland really can be. Thank you Adam!

Grids of Steel

Here is another great photo from Satara R. of the Eastbank Esplanade. I especially like the different grids of steel. By now it is likely apparent that I appreciate signs of expansion, growth, history and improvement. To me, this photo illustrates all 4. Thank you Satara!

Bridge to Japan

Here is another great photo from John W. of the Japanese Gardens. These photo’s are amazing but he also emphasizes that he took these photos on the ideal day, at the ideal time with the ideal lighting. They were taken in 2006 and this particular photo was “softened a bit to give it more of a painted feel”. Thank you John!

A Wrinkle in Time

Here is a photo from Amanda F. that simply puts a smile on my face. It’s probably the sentimental part of me that looks at this photo and it reminds me of a time long past. It was the early 80’s and my brother and I had just moved back to Portland to live with my mother after my father’s death. We were very poor and living in a dodgy apartment in SE Portland. Our family car was a light blue Beetle that rarely ran which we named ‘Sky’. Yet, we were happy and it was the beginning of a far better life to come. This picture reminds me of the happiness we can find even during turbulent times just by being together. Thank you Amanda, I am sure I will come back to this photo from time-to-time to reminisce.

Portland's Saturday Market

Here is another great photo submitted by Shelly S. Shelly says it best when she states “Saturday Market is a 'must-see' for all our out-of-town visitors. We love to browse, take photos, eat, and enjoy the people-watching and live entertainment. Good weather is always a plus! This particular photo was a jumble of handmade bookmarkers that caught my eye with their shine as we strolled past.”

Full Moon Over the Steel Bridge

Now this photo from Melissa M. is very Portland. I had to post a larger image then usual due to subtlety of the Steel Bridge captured in the center of the photo. The full moon, city lights and hint of evening clouds really brings this one home for me. Great picture Melissa, thank you!

Night Sky on a New Moon

Here is a neat photo submitted by Melissa M. of the night sky as viewed from the Metolius River. Regrettably, the Metolius runs through Central Oregon and thus, isn’t a “Portland area photo” making it ineligible for this contest…but it’s a cool photo and I had to share it. Thank you Melissa!

Reed College Lone Duck

Here is another great photo from Robert G. He described it as being taken “from the high bridge at Reed College, looking down at the pond with a lone duck making his imprint on the autumn reflection”. Thank you for being such a regular participant in this contest Robert.

Nike Architecture

Anyone in the world can identify the famous “Swoosh” that is Beaverton based Nike. It takes a Portlandian to easily identify the less well know but equally unique Nike building on the beautiful campus. This photo was taken by Anthony B. from the Dan Fouts building looking at the Mike Schmidt building across the lake.

Mother and Child

Here is another great photo from Kathy M. complete with a brief history lesson: “This is the "Mother and Child" bronze statue at the top of Council Crest Park. The sculptor, Frederick Littman, installed this work in 1956. Originally from Hungary, Littman worked at Reed College, the Museum School and spent 30 years as an Associate Art Professor at PSU. Moving to Portland in 1941, he was responsible for bringing fine art sculpture to Oregon. His works can also be seen at the Temple Beth Israel, Zion Lutheran Church and the Portland Art Museum.” That is so cool Kathy, thank you!

Wet Sparrow Spotted on Sauvie Island

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a HUGE fan of dogs. My fiancé says I was a Lab in a previous life for several reasons including my fondness for anything ‘water’. Thus, it comes as no big surprise that I like this photo submitted by Molly C of her canine companion Sparrow enjoying one of the last days of summer on Sauvie Island. Thank you Molly!

Week 11 Winner

I notice that when we receive particularly good photos early in the week, the submissions dwindle significantly for the remainder of the week. Thus, it came as no big surprise that we only received 3 more photos after I posted what became this week’s winner on Tuesday. This amazing photo of the Japanese Gardens was submitted by John W. I may have to stop posting photos by order of receiving them in fear that this contest could dwindle before its end in 7 weeks. Don’t feel bad John, this was an extraordinary photo and I am honored to have it on our contest page.

Portland Tugboats

Wow, here is a postcard waiting to happen… This photo was submitted by Adam T. who stated “…these boat drivers make it look easy.....It is an amazing thing to watch...I could watch them all day...” The tugboat captains are a rare breed to be sure. There aren’t many of them and a lot of training goes into their careers. They are essential to our local economy and keeping things moving on the ever-changing Columbia River. Another great photo Adam, thank you!

Mind Bender...

This photo from Satara R. boggles my mind. One of these days I will need to get to the East Bank and see if I can figure out what angle puts the Big Pink to the right of the Made in Oregon sign, but doesn’t have other tall buildings within the same frame. Curious!!! Great photo Satara, you have me scratching my head on this one.

Fall at the Japanese Gardens

Here is another great photo from John W. of the Japanese Gardens. The color is amazing and the fog in the background makes the timing of this photo unmistakable. John added “It's getting colorful out there! I'm hoping for great color this year if we don't get too much rain.” I can’t agree with you more John.

4th of July Portland Fireworks

This photo was taken by Shelly S. at the 4th of July fireworks display on the Willamette. She states "We were on a friend’s boat, so there was no way to get a steady, focused shot, but I liked the way they turned out anyway. Great reminder of why I like Portland so much…"

Week 10 Winner

This weeks winner is Robert G. with this photo of the "Golden Rails". When I asked one of the judges that placed this photo as her #1 pick what it was she liked most about the photo she stated that it showed the commercial side and the beautiful side that makes Portland what it is. By beauty I can only assume she was referring to our beautiful sunrises and sunsets that make everything (including steel rails) shine with vibrant colors.

Early Bird Catches the... Sunrise!?

Well, this photo illustrates one thing very clearly… Anthony B. get’s up far too early. I am glad you do Anthony as this photo shows a different angle on the colorful clouds that illuminate our sky on a beautiful fall morning. Well done!

Poppy Pod People

Here is a nice photo taken by Elizabeth A. of a fall bouquet on the counter of the Posie Café in Kenton. She admittedly has “a thing for poppy pods” and with this photo it’s easy to understand why. Very nice photo Elizabeth, thank you.

A Short Stint Behind Bars

Here is a nice photo complete with its story from Alodie L. “Yesterday I was driving home and we had to do a u turn and pull over because we saw a bunch of goats. In the lot between 10th and 11th and SE Morrison there were about 20 goats. They are in the lot to eat and clear the field. It was so much fun to see a bunch of different kinds of goats. This picture is of a goat we fed through the fence. It was sticking its tongue under the fence to get the dried leaves. It ate the dried leaves like a bag of potato chips.

Golden Rails

Robert G. once again captures the beauty of Oregon enterprise. The right lighting on the right day can make our rails look like they’re made of gold.

Caught Me in Your Web...

Here is a great photo taken by Shelly S. She says it best when she states: “This was taken in my backyard this past week, in Aloha. The shade of the apple tree preserved the morning dew in the grass below long enough for me to notice this spider web and grab my camera.”

Japanese Gardens in the Fall

Starting off week 10 with another great photo from John W. John took this photo in October of 2006 of the Japanese Gardens. Obviously a different October then the one we are experiencing so far this year.

Week 9 Winner

This was a big week for great photos. There were several photos to choose from and the judges were very diverse on selecting their favorites. In the end, Evan took the weekly prize with this photo titled "Avianova". We are looking forward to next week’s submissions.