All images copyright by the individual photographers

	Sheas Performing Arts Center Auditorium (Buffalo) by David Braitsch It’s difficult to select one of Dave’s architectural treasures from this collection of photographs as the best.  Dave is a meticulous photographer. There is nothing technically wrong with any of them and the compositions are all wonderful. The tonalities are similar; red, gold, greens, and oranges. They are all beautiful. I selected the Shea Auditorium because it contains a few elements that are unique. The red theater seating is a nice visual leading line that draws us across the image to the cool lighting of the stage as expected. Although small in percentage of printed space, the contrast in lighting is important and significant. The most exciting part of this photograph is the recessed lighting hovering over the space as some other worldly craft about to land in the middle of the auditorium. Its “bean” shape is really unusual. The dangling chandeliers act as landing lights. The yellow glow from the inside of the recession is soft, warm, and welcoming. This is such a fun photograph to spend time with. There are so many interesting things to discover. The tiniest details are perfectly in focus. As you stand on the left front edge you feel as if you could follow the light and walk to your seat for the show! By Don Menges
	Reflected Duality by Elena Dilai Congratulations to Elena Dilai for her image, Reflected Duality, which was selected as a Gallery Pick.  Elena’s photo is a captivating image that immediately draws in the viewer through its stark, yet elegant composition.  The image showcases a single pink flower, its petals spread in an almost balletic stance that conveys both grace and a sense of languid motion. Elena’s choice to present the flower against a dark background accentuates the wilting bloom with a striking contrast and also envelops the flower in a void that seems to heighten its solitude and beauty. The lighting is well executed, with the gentle illumination teasing out the subtle gradients and delicate veins of the petals, creating a depth of texture that is nearly tangible.   The title that Elena has created invites the viewer to ponder the dual nature of existence. It suggests that there might be more than what is seen at first glance. It might prompt us to consider the reflection that might exist beyond the frame or the life cycle of the flower from bloom to wilt.  The pairing of such a vibrant life form with the void of the black background might symbolize the interplay between life and the emptiness from which it emerges, and to which it returns. Reflected Duality is a splendid work that melds aesthetic simplicity with conceptual complexity, offering both immediate visual appeal and enduring food for thought, making it enriching from multiple perspectives.  By Marie Costanza
	Strahov Library by Jerome Kaye Congratulations to Jerome Kaye who received a Gallery Pick for Strahov Library. Jerome’s image conveys the grandeur of Theological Hall, its stunning ceiling with its intricately painted frescoes and its towering bookshelves that stretch toward the heavens. Jerome timed his photo well, capturing the light pouring through a window that provides a lovely glow. When planning his composition, Jerome strategically placed the compilation wheel in the foreground. This piece of furniture that looks like a desk was used for compiling texts. The scribe had several books open at the same time and put them on the “shelves” of the desk. A mechanism turned them round but the shelves stayed horizontal and the books would not fall off. This way the scribe could study several books at the same time. In Jerome’s image, the round sides of the wheel flow nicely into the globes and up above towards the circular designs of the curved ceiling. Jerome’s image highlights the library’s depth---both in terms of visual appeal and historical significance---reminding viewers of the centuries of scholarship and artistry that have flourished in this space. Jerome’s photo is more than just an image; it is a portal to the past, encapsulating the essence of knowledge, beauty and history. It evokes a sense of wonder and inspires a thirst for learning that resonates throughout time, while inviting the viewer to explore its treasures and appreciate the history contained within its walls. By Marie Costanza
	Winter Break on the Course by Debbie Nawoczenski Debbie’s latest exhibition at Image City offers a contemplative view of winter in the Rochester area, capturing the serene, minimalistic beauty of a season often seen as harsh. Through her photographs, she brings forward a vision of winter's quiet stillness, where landscapes are stripped of distractions and softened by snow. Her Gallery Pick, Winter Break on the Course, exemplifies this perspective. The photograph is elegant in its simplicity. Debbie’s choice to render the scene in black and white enhances the timelessness of the winter landscape and amplifies the contrast of the afternoon shadows that traverse the foreground, highlighting the tracks of cross-country skiers. The undulating snow-covered ground draws the viewer in, adding depth and texture to the scene. The trees in the middle ground, with their bare, exposed branches, create a suggestive sense of quiet vigilance, standing as "sentinels" along the fairways. This imagery is effective in conveying a sense of place and nostalgia, evoking the feeling of a peaceful weekend afternoon after a fresh snowfall—perfect for walking with snowshoes or gliding across the landscape on skis. In the background, Debbie’s use of high-level clouds emphasizes the cold stillness, and the dark, smaller clouds offer a pleasant contrast. Thank you, Debbie. Winter Break on the Course effectively captures a tranquil moment, and is a serene tribute to the season. By Dick Bennett
	Magic Hidden in Plain Sight by Sandy Silvestri Too often many of us move through life, barely looking at things and when we do, we “label” the object and then walk on. This means that we often miss so much. By slowing down and really looking at things we can really appreciate nature and our environment. This is not only a key to successful photography but also in engaging us with our environment/world. This photograph is a beautiful example of this concept. Instead of mentally labeling the object as “mushrooms” and walking on, Sandy has really looked at these three mushrooms and by doing this says so much more than just recording what they look like. Taking time to compose a photograph that is more than just a "snapshot". The three almost take on anthropomorphized look, they go beyond just being mushrooms but take on an identity of their own, no longer mushrooms but now objects that take on an almost human quality. Three sentinels grouped with care with one in the foreground and two back from the viewer. Their crowns appear almost as hats, covering their “faces” and focusing our view on their caps, admiring their texture and shapes. Color is used sparingly, not over “amped” up but a soft almost pastel color. Sandy has thrown the background out of focus, removing distractions and highlighting his three subjects. The dark loam that they sprout from balances and grounds the composition and completes a wonderful photograph. By Steve Levinson
	Flowers Along the Rue Budé by Tim Wilson Flowers Along the Rue Budé by Tim Wilson is a simple but elegant image of flowers in a window. The composition is clean and straight forward. The image generates a sense of stillness and contemplation. How does Tim produce this type of emotional feeling? Tim uses negative space. Negative space in photography is the empty space around the main subject of an image. It's often used to create a striking image by drawing the viewer's eye to the subject. Negative space in photography is all about the “less is more” philosophy. By leaving a significant portion of your photo empty, you can create a powerful contrast with the subject. Negative space draws the viewer's attention directly to the subject, making it stand out against a simpler background. Negative space helps balance the elements in a photo, making it more aesthetically pleasing and guiding the viewer’s eyes smoothly across the frame. Tim’s use of negative space is what sets this image apart. Flowers Along the Rue Budé is a textbook example of how negative space enhances the strength of an image. By Gil Maker