All images copyright by the individual photographers

	Linwood NY By Don Burkel This photograph is a quietly powerful study in restraint. The image’s economy of elements and confident use of color create an immediate emotional register that feels both intimate and formally rigorous. The photographer’s excitement about color is evident, yet never loud; color becomes the voice that carries feeling through a pared-down composition. Graphic simplicity is the photograph’s strongest asset. The frame is organized around a few bold shapes and planes rather than a clutter of detail. Vertical planks, a stone surround, and the rectangular window opening read like a modernist study in line and mass. That simplicity sharpens every decision the photographer made so that texture, edge, and silhouette register with the clarity of a woodcut. Color functions here as emotional shorthand. Warm, weathered wood tones sit against cooler stone and the green suggestion beyond the slats, producing a subtle but effective contrast between enclosure and promise. The palette is limited yet rich, and the way light picks out grain and patina give the scene a tactile warmth that feels like memory rather than mere documentation. Color is not decorative; it is expressive. The photograph stages a compelling juxtaposition between the rigid metal bars and the wooden “Z” reinforcement. The metal bars read as formal, industrial lines that insist on separation. The diagonal Z-shaped timber, however, introduces a second, more human-made barrier that complicates the visual story. Together they create layered defenses between viewer and the luminous space beyond the slats. The Z-shape does more than strengthen the gate structurally; it acts as a graphic counterpoint that echoes and interrupts the vertical rhythm, adding tension and a sense of guarded intimacy. This is a confident, economical photograph that trusts simplicity to convey complexity. Don Burkel’s compositional restraint, his sensitive handling of color, and the deliberate pairing of metal and wooden barriers produce an image that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant. It rewards slow looking and lingers in the mind long after the first glance. By Steve Levinson
	Ambush in Waiting By Steve Dent In Ambush in Waiting, Steve Dent captures the quiet tension that defines the wild. The leopard stands poised and alert, every muscle seemingly tuned to the surrounding landscape. Rather than depicting action itself, Steve focuses on what he describes in his artist statement as “the in-between-moments”–– those fleeting seconds filled with anticipation, instinct and restraint. The photo is beautifully composed, with the cat emerging naturally from the layered textures and muted tones of its environment. The leopard’s intense gaze immediately anchors the viewer, while the soft background reinforces the sense of stealth and disappearance that Steve writes about in his statement. His post-processing brings remarkable clarity to the animal’s coat, whiskers and expression while preserving the authenticity and atmosphere of the scene. Part of Steve’s compelling Big Cats of Africa display, Ambush in Waiting, reflects his exploration of “dominance and vulnerability, visibility and disappearance.” His patience as a wildlife photographer is evident throughout the photo. As I contemplate Ambush in Waiting, I find myself experiencing the suspense and stillness of one of Africa’s most elusive predators. Congratulations, Steve on your Gallery Pick! By Marie Costanza
	Egret Dancer By Tom Kredo Egret Dancer, by Tom Kredo is a striking centerpiece in Tom Kredo’s current display of outstanding bird photography. A regular exhibitor at Image City, Tom has built a reputation for taking bird photos with technical mastery and a deep appreciation for their behavior and individuality. In Egret Dance, the bird appears suspended between landing and liftoff, its sweeping wings and long legs transform a quick instant into a performance that resembles the energy in a dance. The white wings glow against the blue marsh background, while the soft blur of the surroundings allows the egret to dominate the frame. What attracted me to this particular photo is Tom’s remarkable timing. The photograph feels spontaneous, yet perfectly composed---a balance that defines much of Tom’s wildlife photos. Tom’s thoughtful post processing enhances the fine feather detail without feeling overworked, allowing the egret to retain a natural presence. Seen along Tom’s other bird images, Egret Dance reflects Tom’s ability to reveal both the beauty and personality of his subjects.   Congratulations, Tom on your Gallery Pick. By Marie Costanza
	Glory - Patagonia By Zachary Scott Zachary’s photo has a strong sense of grandeur and mythic scale. Glory leans into the tradition of heroic landscape photography, and it succeeds largely because of its control of light and shape. The warm reddish glow on the central peak is the emotional center of the image. The contrast between the glowing orange rock and the cold blue-white snow creates immediate visual drama. The light feels fleeting. The kind of moment landscape photographers wait hours for. The tallest peak is placed close to center, but the surrounding ridges prevent the image from feeling static. The serrated mountains on both sides act like visual arrows frame the dominant summit. The darker foreground also helps anchor the frame. Without it, the image could feel too airy or decorative. The repeating jagged forms give the scene rhythm. Snow fields soften the composition just enough to balance the aggressive rock textures. There’s also a nice transition from smooth sky to sharp peaks to softer snow and then to shadowed earth. This image feels less like a documentary landscape and more like an archetype — isolation, permanence, transcendence. The central peak dominates almost like a cathedral. The warm light against the frozen terrain creates a feeling of radiant revelation. Zachary’s capture says one thing clearly and confidently about “Glory” - awe. By Don Menges