All images copyright by the individual photographers

	Sailing Lake Ontario by Matthias Boettrich This is a spectacular wide-angled vista of colorful sailing boats, “racing”, under the canopy of an incredible cloud formation.  It appears that light wind conditions are prevailing, for every spinnaker is being proudly displayed, not for scenic effect, but to catch every breath of wind possible.  What obviously makes this image so incredible is the ethereal and transcendental sky and resplendent clouds.  It is to the photographer’s great credit that he has artistically given the sky and the clouds, ninety percent of the print, for by themselves, the clouds would have made a great photograph.  Coupled with the majestic and impressive boat formations, and the sails displaying a wonderful range of vibrant colors, the end-result is just spectacular.  The white clouds stand out brilliantly against the deep blue of the sky, rising from a dark horizon into a fascinating form, reminiscent of a crab’s claw, reaching out in a overarching, powerful display.  Magically, the sailboats are spaced across the lake almost to perfection, with the saturated hues of the sails and their reflections, particularly with the red colors, enhancing the breath-taking panorama.  How fortunate it was for the author to be sailing on the lake, and being presented with this incredible scene.  What is truly outstanding, is that the photographer took this opportunity to record this memorable scenic in such a sublime and artistic manner.
	Curious by Brian Calvasina  These poignant, often heart-wrenching images of scenes from a war-torn country, are powerful and dramatic, not only in what we observe, but in what we do not see.  Once again, I am reminded of Rashid Elisha’s instruction, “Look for what you don’t see”.  These images, from a photographer who has experienced conflict and combat at first hand, are definitely visceral, and have an especial meaning and drama.  I particularly loved the prints where we only see partial facial features, or even just the backs of a group of people, for it allows one to conjecture as to what is happening, and what are the subjects they are discussing.  Having said that, I chose Curious to comment further on , a scene in which young children are plainly visible.  Here, in this haunting print, the image would have been memorable without anyone being present.  The diffuse lighting reinforces, probably incorrectly, the boarded up structures in terms of calm and tranquility.  Add to this four young girls, dressed appropriately for their region, and you have an image that is uplifting.  The girls are obviously shy and reticent to be photographed, and one should especially check out their feet positions.  Finally, we introduce a young boy, maybe in school clothes, for he seems to be wearing a tie, and you have a dramatic picture, the hallmark of spontaneity, which is very evident in the author’s artistic vision.  The boy’s expressive left hand, with the arm resting on his left knee, gives rise to a situation where all sorts of scenarios could be construed.  The real beauty of this image is that, yes, it is a peaceful scene in a war-torn country, but my thoughts are not on the present, but on the future.  This print evokes a hope that sometime in the future there will be peace, and love and companionship will prevail, and these children will have a more promising life ahead.  This is an enigmatic, compelling image, beautifully and artistically seen and captured.
	Cape Cod Sand Flats by Martin Nott In the absence of a powerful diagonal element, horizontal lines are considered to be stable and formal, almost passive.  Here, in this creative, entrancing seascape, I take exception to this.  The horizontal line segments are separated by luminous, saturated hues of reds and blues, and together with strong black sectors, the end-result is an imposing, compelling scenic photograph.  Reinforcing this, is the strong sense of rhythm, due to the intimate relationship of lines, values, and strong colors.  It is an excellent example of where color gets all the credit, but value does all the work, especially here, where value also gives three-dimensionality.  Even without the silhouetted people in the foreground I think the end result would be just as powerful.  What these human figures do give however, is an increased three-dimensional feeling, and they are also a center of interest in the area of highest light value, namely, the inland finger of water in the mid-foreground.  Certainly, this first-rate seascape also enlightens us with a human story of people enjoying every moment of a lovely evening, whilst paddling in the warm water with friends and family.  The enhanced hues are dramatic, and I love the slim, sliver of golden light that illuminates a strip of sand in the center of the image, effectively breaking up the large, dark area of sand in a very pleasing manner.  This is not just an exercise in viewing a series of colorful rectangles.  It is a very imaginative, elegant, and creatively seen and printed image, of a breathtaking scenic, that everyone of us would have loved to been a part of.  This is a great example of design and color used expressively and creatively.
	Standing Watch by John C. Solberg The beauty of “Potpourri” is that the observer can admire and enjoy a whole variety of subject matter, and share with John in his sense of wonder and surprise, at the diversified world around us.  In Standing Watch, we experience a wonderful landscape that expresses the passage of time with serene eloquence.  Here we have soft, warm colors, textures that move and effortlessly blend, dramatic lines, and a powerful tension for all of us to visualize, study, and contemplate on.  Here, we have a vista that we know is part of a larger scene, superbly captured for all to enjoy.  At the top, we have a lovely thin, sliver of a road, bounded by well-spaced fence posts, a path which quietly enters and leaves, but one we are always conscious of.  The dramatic vector is the diagonal fence, which lovingly follows every contour of the plowed field.  This fence separates the field, with its rich, reddish-brown hues, artistically interspersed with the small stubble left from the last harvest, from the verdant, uncultivated pasture of warm-toned short grasses and earthy depressions.  Over this pastoral treasure, we have two dramatic sentinels.  Trees which have powerful shapes and intricate patterns of branches, but they have lost the grandeur of their foliage.  Is it prudent to ask whether trees feel lonely when all their leaves have gone?  It is these two trees which we can relate to and imagine some of the experiences of past seasons in this idyllic setting.  They can see where the road comes from and goes to, they can see where the curved fence ends, and where the fields meet in the distance.  It is our challenge to not only enjoy the artistic beauty that we see here, but to immerse our own thoughts as to what allure and appeal lies beyond the road and fences.
	Snow on Jackson Road Farm by David P. Somers David’s love and passion for both panoramic and firework images is very evident from the excellent pictures displayed here.  They are also reflective of careful planning and incomparable technique.  I was certainly torn to comment further on his magnificent image of Rochester Millennium Fireworks, where experience and know-how have resulted in a resplendent, striking, print that is just superb in every detail, and I have nothing but the utmost admiration for this image.  I chose, however, the farm scene, where careful planning and technique are also very apparent, the end-result being a serene pastoral vista of great feeling and beauty.  This is an image where the viewpoint was carefully selected, all that remained was for nature to provide the ideal weather for a definitive picture, and dutifully, nature did a marvelous job, as did the author in capturing the scene so splendidly.  Exploring and planning this vista is the hallmark of how the photographer can express his artistry.  For the observer, I am reminded of one of Ansel Adam’s more famous quotes, namely “A photograph is usually looked at, but seldom looked into”.  Certainly, the farm and building are very picturesque in most lighting situations, but the framing, camera position and the delightful snow are just impeccable.  What truly makes this panoramic so outstanding is the gorgeous lighting, which highlights every detail and color to perfection.  Especially important are the shadows in the foreground, which cast intricate patterns that are just fascinating, and give a wonderful base to support the rest of the scene.  Snow usually evokes feelings of cold and despair in some, but this delightful panoramic is warm and inviting.  You feel that this pristine scene should never be violated by even a single footprint, entrance should only be in the rear, so that nothing can mar this exquisite image.