PHOTO CONTEST 2009 WINNERS

Here are the winning photos from the 2009 California Dreamin' International Event.

We received a total of 51 entries to the photo contest this year. Our sincere thanks to Jerry Raines, Dave Liebman and Liz Friedman for their hours of discussion and deliberation in choosing the winners. Thanks also to Liz for sorting the entries and updating the gallery website, and to Terry Auspitz for creating the hidden galleries from which the judges could simultaneously view all images in a category.

The winning entries are posted below. A complete gallery of all submitted photos with thumbnails and full-size photos has been posted. Please click the above link to view.

A couple notes about the judging this year. After much deliberation, a winner was chosen in each of the five categories. We then went on to select the "Best in Show" winner from those five. The Best in Show winner will receive a $50 discount off next year's event, and the other four Category Winners will each receive a $25 discount of next year's Event. Honorable Mentions were awarded to all the shots that we thought deserved a special call-out. In some cases, they were only one point away from winning their category. Thanks to everyone who entered and for all of the fabulous shots that were submitted!

So, without further ado, here are our winners.

BEST IN SHOW AND CATEGORY WINNER (Flowers & Plants): My Georgia O'Keefe by Bonnie Rubin
WINNER Scenery: Cave Hopping by Jack Bleich	WINNER People: Dana by Ken Fisher	WINNER Critters: Cows Out for a Stroll by Shari Maron
WINNER Action: Horseback Ride by George Lissauer	HONORABLE MENTION Flowers & Plants Wood by Diane Gish	HONORABLE MENTION Flowers & Plants: Tomatoes by Diane Gish
HONORABLE MENTION Flowers & Plants: Life on the Edge by Michael Mackaplow	HONORABLE MENTION People: Ken by Ken Fisher	HONORABLE MENTION People: Taking it All Inby Meryl Mazursky
HONORABLE MENTION People: Ben by Ken Fisher	HONORABLE MENTION Scenery: Garden at the Getty Center by Marshall Zwick	HONORABLE MENTION Scenery: On Top of the World by Bonnie Rubin
HONORABLE MENTION Scenery: Facesby Michael Mackaplow	HONORABLE MENTION Scenery: Forging Our Own Trails on the Difficult Hike by Daniel Sklar	HONORABLE MENTION Scenery: Rich in Scenery by Ken Fisher

Again -- you can visit the GALLERY to see all photos submitted.

Thanks to EVERYONE for the great entries. We look forward to seeing you in 2009!