All images copyright by the individual photographers

	Lydia by Steve Dent Congratulations to Steve Dent who has received a Gallery Pick award for his photo entitled Lydia. Lush with textural warmth and intrigue, Lydia emerges as a fascinating piece within Steve’s Fractured series, which has evolved over the past 3 months. Each panel serves not merely as a fragment of the image but as a standalone canvas, showcasing the rugged beauty of the rocky terrain juxtaposed with the fluid grace of human form delicately poised within the landscape. Steve’s choice of rice paper is significant; it imbues the image with a fragility that seems to dance with the permanence of natural wood panels. This contrast is gracefully reflective of the scene itself---where the ephemeral human presence meets the timeless grandeur of the earth. The natural grain of the wood subtly peeks through the image, enhancing the organic connection between the medium and the subject matter. The vivid blues of the sky and the fiery oranges and reds of the rocks are portrayed with an impressive depth, given the unconventional printing surface and offering an engaging color palette that breathes life into the composition. The female subject, posed as though caught in a contemplative moment, provides a narrative element, inviting those who view it to ponder the story behind her solitude in such an expansive and rugged setting. Uniqueness is at the heart of Steve’s “Fractured” display with each piece truly unreplicable. Lydia represents not only a scene, but stands as a singular art experience---a result of the interplay between the subject, the materials and Steve’s vision. When experienced in person, this, and all of Steve’s pieces in his collection, demand a moment of contemplation to appreciate the delicate balance of transience and constancy---a visual mediation that is both captivating and soothing. By Marie Costanza
	Beauty Parlor Chairs. Greystone State Hospital by Nancy Guzauski Looking at this picture makes one think about the concept of beauty…thoughts of the old style of beauty parlors which had rows of multiple hairdryers where women sat, read and chatted while they were made “beautiful“. Another kind of beauty is that which we can sometimes see in decay. There’s an attraction to looking at abandoned buildings, rooms, and locations. Seeing how nature takes back places and things that were once so carefully designed and then after abandoning them They morph into a wonderful subject for photographs. Nancy and the series of images she is showing explore multiple, abandoned mental institutions and find beauty in their decay. They also make you think about what they were like when they were being fully utilized, the tragedy of the patient’s illnesses and the entire way that mental illness was handled in the past. Some photographs show pictures of beautiful things and some show beautiful pictures of troubling things. This series has focused on the latter and has done a wonderful job in sharing with us these hidden locations. By Steve Levinson
	The Tre Cime di Lavaredo by Nick Jospe Congratulations to Nick Jospe for his Gallery Pick, The Tre Cime di Lavaredo. In this, and all of Nick’s breathtaking photographs of the Dolomites, the viewer is invited on a visual journey to one of Italy’s most stunning natural landmarks, renown for its jagged peaks that dominate the surrounding landscape. Nick’s images capture the essence of the location with clarity and depth that is not always seen in landscape photography. When researching the Dolomites, I noticed that many photos typically show just the three peaks, which doesn’t give the area the justice it deserves. Fortunately, we have Nick to rectify this! His perspective of the mountain shows the peaks and foreground in all its glory. What sets this photo apart is the inclusion of the meandering path that leads the viewer’s eye towards the foot of these awesome structures. The lighting is meticulously captured, with the sunlight contrasting the shadows on the rock, highlighting the textures. All of Nick’s images makes it possible to really feel as if you are there. I don’t know if I will ever get the chance to travel to the Dolomites; however, Nick’s image has given me the ability to venture there through my imagination.’ By Gil Maker
	Good Morning by Rick Waugh Congratulations to Rick Waugh who has received a Gallery Pick award for his photo entitled “Good Morning.” In a stunning display of natural beauty juxtaposed within a common neighborhood in Florida, Rick’s photograph offers viewers a captivating journey into the tranquil beginnings of the day in the Sunshine State. Shot in early morning light, this panoramic scene effortlessly conveys the grandeur of the trees and sky surrounding the homes. The composition directs the viewer’s gaze across a serene body of water, acting as a mirror to the magnificent sky. The early morning light bathes the scene in colors that are both calming and invigorating, creating a harmonious palette that envelops the viewer in a peaceful embrace. Central to the allure of this image are the cloud formations that sweep across the sky. The clouds, varying from wispy and delicate to robust and voluminous, appear as majestic sculptures painted by the hand of nature itself. Their reflection in the water below is rendered with such clarity and precision that it becomes difficult to distinguish between the sky and its mirrored image, merging the two in a symphony of visual poetry. The choice of a panoramic shot amplifies the grandiosity of the moment, extending the viewer’s perspective beyond the conventional bounds. This emphasizes the vastness and sweeping beauty of the Florida scenery, inviting the viewers to lose themselves in the moment captured. What sets this image apart is its ability to transcend mere visual appeal, engaging the viewer on a deeper emotional level. Evoking a sense of reflection, it reminds us of the serene moments in the early morning, preceding the hustle and bustle of daily life, with the hope and promise of the unfolding day. Rick’s image, with its breathtaking beauty and profound tranquility, is a true testament to the magic that can be captured through the lens of a skilled photographer. By Marie Costanza