Cong - Winner - Mon. Chall. Aug-Up Close and Personal-chicagojohn...Spons. Think Tank

**yellalablady** · 09-08-2012, 05:44 PM

Congratulations to the Winner of our Monthly Challenge August 2012 - Up Close and Personal - chicagojohn...Sponsor Think Tank

1st Place -
Bumble Bee Close Up
chicagojohn

The winner of this challenge will win...

Digital Holster 30 – That’s tall!
Designed for digital SLRs, such as the Canon 5D, 10D, 20D, and 30D, and the Nikon D70, D80, and D200. This is the only top loading bag for an SLR being sold that can hold a 70-200 2.8 with the hood either in position or ready to shoot. An industry first!

MONTHLY CHALLENGE RULES

CONGRATS!!!

**chicagojohn** · 09-08-2012, 06:14 PM

Wow, I happened to be on-line just now when I saw I had a PM and then I found ot that this was the result.

I am floored and totally surprised as I now see what the votes were! I have some vision problems and thought it wa 0 but now I see that it was a 6

This is such a surprise to me and it's a big deal to my motivation, even though the image kind of happened by accident and wasn't something I planned.

So thanks to everyone who participated in this contest, all reallly excellent interpretations of the topic "up close and personal". I have so enjoyed viewing each and every one.

And a special thanks to our sponsor, ThinkTankPhoto!!

Time to celebrate; I'm gonna take the wife out to dinner and buy a lottery ticket on the way home!

**Ima Hack** · 09-08-2012, 06:38 PM

A well deserved win John, superb shot.

You're gonna love the ThinkTank bag.

**Pixels** · 09-08-2012, 06:46 PM

Love the detail in this one John. Congratulations on a well deserved win!

**Lscha** · 09-08-2012, 07:09 PM

Wow John!! It looks pet-able. Great photo.

**480sparky** · 09-08-2012, 07:46 PM

I wonder if his new 300mm will fit in it.

**JimL** · 09-09-2012, 10:50 AM

Nice capture. Congratulations.

Jim

**mishlove** · 09-09-2012, 11:04 AM

Congratulations CJ

**BobR** · 09-09-2012, 12:09 PM

Excellent macro! You've been holding out on us!

Wow!

bob

**navigator** · 09-09-2012, 02:16 PM

Well done you deserved the award it was an outstanding image........
Hope your wife enjoyed the dinner.
Of course if you win the lottery I would be happy to help you spend it!.....Phil

**chicagojohn** · 09-09-2012, 04:17 PM

Well, thanks so much. This really is a big deal to me; to receive accolades from people who's work I admire so much.

Sometimes in life something happens that makes one stop and think about how things have transpired. When I look at what I was doing just a short time ago before I came to this forum and what I am doing now, I clearly see that it has progressed more than in any equivalent interval in the past four years. And that, I am certain, is solely due to you all and this site.

This site is so supportive and encouraging. And it is so full of wonderful and amazing examples of photography. Anyone who participates here will inevitably learn and progress. That is the spirit here. That is clear.

So I sincerely want to thank you all for that. Thank you so very much!

**KathysPix** · 09-09-2012, 06:42 PM

Sorry, was in the Land of No Internet, and missed the announcement. This was a really spectacular closeup, John. Congratulations for the Win.

**Waterwings** · 09-09-2012, 07:04 PM

Congrats, John!

**Edvins** · 09-09-2012, 07:39 PM

Congrats, CJ...nice shot!!!

**Baron von Smoogle** · 09-09-2012, 07:42 PM

Zowee Woweee!! Love the close up! Congratulations on a well deserved win!!

**Dearis** · 09-09-2012, 11:42 PM

John,

this is a wonderful image, we were in Tasmania Australia on holiday and I spent hours trying to get a macro shot of these funny little bees without being fruitful, it drove my wife nuts. Congratulations

Darren