All images copyright by the individual photographers

	Common Grackle by Clyde Comstock Wildlife photography requires more than just luck—it demands planning, patience, and a deep connection with the natural world. Photographers often return to the same spot countless times, waiting for the perfect alignment of subject, light, and behavior. Sometimes, that persistence leads to an image that captures more than just a scene—it captures a story. A perfect example of this is Clyde Comstock’s Gallery Pick, Common Grackle. Clyde spent a couple of years and many quiet sessions beside a stream in Perinton, observing and photographing birds. His efforts culminated in a remarkable series of images, including this standout shot of a Common Grackle mid-bath. In this split second, the bird is frozen in a burst of motion—its beak open, wings flared, and water droplets suspended in mid-air like scattered jewels. The Grackle’s plumage shimmers with iridescent blues and purples, contrasting beautifully with the soft greens and browns of the background. A shallow depth of field keeps the bird and the dynamic splash in sharp focus, while the softly blurred environment allows the subject to shine without distraction. What elevates this photograph is the sense of timing and anticipation. It’s clear that Clyde didn’t just stumble upon this moment—he waited for it, studied the behavior of his subjects, and was ready when everything aligned. The result is a vivid portrayal of energy, spontaneity, and the often-unseen beauty of everyday wildlife moments. Common Grackle is more than a technically excellent image—it’s a testament to patience, awareness, and the art of truly seeing. Congratulations to Clyde for capturing this striking and unforgettable moment in the wild. By Dick Bennett
	Attitude By Steve Dent Steve Dent has made a striking photograph that captures a beautiful moment of movement, poise, and grace. The subject is well-centered but with a slight diagonal dynamic due to her pose, which creates visual tension and excitement. The dancer’s arabesque pose with outstretched limbs and flowing skirt creates a strong sense of balance and symmetry, even though the pose is asymmetrical. The background has clean architectural lines and muted tones. This complements rather than distracts. The lighting is soft and even which highlights the textures of the clothing and the dancer’s skin without harsh shadows. The dancer’s technique is impressive. Her form is strong, with clean lines, pointed toes. Her expression conveys concentration and serenity. The earthy tones of her clothing are visually compelling. The skirt’s movement emphasizes the motion and gives a sense of fluidity. The muted, earthy tones give the image a painterly quality. The soft blue and tan tones complement each other. The image feels both modern and timeless - rooted in classical ballet but styled and framed in a fresh, contemporary way. This is an elegant, technically strong, and emotionally resonant image. It beautifully blends grace, architecture, and gesture. The photo captures not just the dancer’s movement but a sense of stillness within motion - something that elevates it from documentation to fine art. By Don Menges
	Notes Float  by I. Marianetti This photograph makes you smile the first time you look at it.  There’s something undeniably joyful about this image. Maybe it’s the absurdity of the floating instrument, or the quiet relationship between the two men, or the way the whole scene feels like a visual pun. Whatever it is, it makes you smile—not just with your mouth, but with your mind. It invites you to believe in the impossible, to hear music in silence, and to float a little, too. The photograph thrives on the interplay between the two men—one seated atop a surreal, floating musical instrument, the other grounded beside him, as if anchoring the dreamlike moment to reality. Their mirrored white attire and calm expressions create a visual duet, echoing the musical theme while suggesting camaraderie, support, and shared imagination. The seated figure appears almost weightless, while the standing man offers a quiet counterpoint, grounding the composition with a subtle strength.  The composition is well balanced. The floating instrument arcs through the guiding the viewer’s eye in a gentle spiral. Negative space is used with intention, allowing the figures and the instrument to breathe within the frame. The photograph feels both spontaneous and meticulously arranged—like a jazz improvisation that lands on perfect harmony. Choosing black and white over color strips the scene of distraction and elevates it into the realm of the timeless and surreal. The textures—crisp linen, polished metal, soft shadows—are rendered with strong clarity. The monochrome palette also enhances the dreamlike quality of the floating object. By Steve Levinson
	Yellow and Green by Julie Oldfield In Yellow and Green, guest photographer Julie Oldfield distills elegance into its purest form. Showcased as one of her favorite images she has on display at Image City, the photograph is a delicate interplay of space, color, and stillness---capturing a quiet moment that feels both timeless and fleeting. A lone Cedar Waxwing, with its signature yellow belly and sleek crest perches lightly among slender green branches that reach upward like brushstrokes on a pale canvas. The minimalist background removes any distraction, allowing the viewer to fully absorb the poetic simplicity of the scene. Each leaf is placed with painterly precision, and the bird itself becomes a gentle focal point---a symbol of harmony in nature. Julie’s composition makes an effective use of negative space---not to isolate the bird, but to heighten a sense of delicacy and quiet tension. The vertical sweep of the plant contrasts beautifully with the horizontal calm of the perched bird, creating a quiet tension that draws the eye. This visual stillness places the bird in a web of fine lines, suggesting fragility rather than freedom. The space frames a moment of suspension---as if time itself is holding its breath. Julie’s work is a welcome voice in the gallery, and this piece stands out as a serene and contemplative gem. By Marie Costanza
	The Quack Pack by Rick Scheltz Rick Scheltz’s The Quack Pack is a masterful celebration of intimacy, tenderness, and the quiet elegance of nature.  Awarded a Gallery Pick at Image City, this charming and technically exquisite photograph invites viewers into a serene moment shared by a mother duck and her ducklings. Resting atop a mossy log in the stillness of the water, the ducklings huddle in close, their fluffy down echoing warmth, trust, and familial connection. What makes Rick’s image so compelling is his painterly attention to detail and composition. Every feather seems tangible, every ripple purposeful. The mirrored reflections of the ducklings on the glasslike surface add a subtle symmetry that deepens the emotional and visual impact. Framed by reeds and a delicate green plant on the left, the image feels both intimate and composed---wild, yet perfectly balanced. There is also a gentle humor in the title The Quack Pack, which lends a lighthearted tone to a photograph that is otherwise a study in serenity and care. It suggests a close-knit group with personality and playfulness, which shines through in the body language and expressions of the ducklings. Rick has created more than just a beautiful wildlife image---he has told a story of comfort and belonging. The Quack Pack is a richly layered and heartwarming work, deserving of a Gallery Pick recognition. By Marie Costanza