FIRST PRIZE (wins a free week at Casa Elsa )

“Financial Times” by Georgina Paul, taken by the pool at San Gregorio. In the views of the judges, Bob Monroe of Summer’s Leases and Enzo Righeschi (photographer), this picture encapsulates every reason for a tourist to come to Italy: the sun, the landscape, the peace and quiet, the rustic architecture ... it’s all there. But it’s also an excellent composition with no cropping of the hills or the shade of the umbrella. The exposure is perfect with no bleaching of the hills or black areas in the shade (the histogram is nicely balanced). A clear winner!

RUNNERS UP (each receive a gift pack containing two bottles of organically-grown, cold-pressed extra virgin Tuscan olive oil)

“Hang Gliding in Umbria’s Monte Cucco Park” by Jan Colter. Jan stayed at San Silvestro outside Cortona and Il Poggio in Umbria. An interesting composition and colour balance and a reminder that holidays aren’t limited to lounging by the pool! A good sport shot.

“Corciano by Night” by Bill & Margene Marvin, who stayed in Umbria, about 12 km from the hilltop village of Corciano. A dramatic, atmospheric picture of a medieval village by night with good balance of light and shade. The blue highlights from the lens add an interesting effect.

“4 Red Vespas” by Julie Dennison & Tim Vincent, who were at Podere La Rota in Tuscany. A colourful picture that makes everyone smile. Not only is the Vespa one of the symbols of Italy in the world, they’re produced in one of the historic factories of Tuscany: Piaggio at Pontedera. (Question for Julie & Tim: aren’t there actually five?!)

“Beautiful Tuscan Villa with Cypress Trees” by Alison Mackey & Andrew Magurran, who were at Podere Fontecastello just outside Montepulciano. Okay, so it’s been done a million times before, but the composition is good with the texture of the individual plants in the foreground merging to form a green sea. With the avenue of cypresses nicely lined up on the horizon, it shouts Tuscany!

“An Inviting Welcome” by Julie Hanlon-Bolton. This is the front door of Villa Moscatelli at Sarteano in Tuscany. A good example of rural Italian (Tuscan) architecture that really does look inviting. Nice composition.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS (no prize but very good pictures all the same)

 

“Montone church” by Rebecca Breach. Rebecca stayed at Montone Due and this fabulous doorway can be seen a few minutes’ walk away from the cottage! A dramatic composition with a clearly mediterranean sun.

“Afloat over Umbria” by Barry Schneider. A colourful picture taken at exactly the right moment, with Todi on the horizon.

“Piano Grande at Castelluccio” by Seth Johnson. Interesting lighting and a nice contrast between the inhospitable rocky terrain in the foreground and the gently curving valley floor.

“Giostra Del Saracino, Arezzo” by John Brassey from Dardano outside Cortona. A colourful line-up of model soldiers! The only one of this subject to not suffer problems from light/dark and intrusive crowds.