So this was a tough one to decide on, guys. You've all submitted some great pictures but in the end only one hunter per category can win.
In the Hunter Category:
Granti, with his untitled photo of Whiteheart Island at Dawn
The use of natural light and accompanying effects really brought this picture to our attention. It seemed every time we looked back at it we found something new that pushed it beyond all others in the hunter category. The resolution and high graphic settings brought the textures to life with the use of lighting. The Sun reflecting off of the water. The foreground, midground and background layers to this photo were simple and didn't take away from the hunter himself but were plentiful enough to not leave the scene bare. Well done, Granti and congratulations.
In the Environmental Category:
Softkiller, "Train To Catch"
This category was the toughest to decide by far with so many wonderful scenic submissions. Softkiller really captured this photo and made us believe that there is actually a train in the game. The one thing that this photo had over most other environmental submissions was a pronounced object to catch the eye. Our eyes could follow the set of tracks from foreground to background and reveal the many colors and variations of trees and rock which eventually sent us into the particle cloud from which this huge mountain could be seen tower above. The creative use of the train tracks, and camera angle won Softkiller this category. Congratulations.
In the Animal Category:
Kahuamp, "Hunter, Prey"
There were many in this category that could have taken the prize, but ultimately we felt Kahuamp deserved this one for the basic content of the photo. A Grey Wolf and 4 Mule Bucks. Kahuamp had the skill to properly positions his wolf without skin stretching and had the patience to grab this incredible shot as he waited for the "Prey" to get into just the right position. In the end, this choice had to be made on content. Being that it is the Animal Category, we had to take away every other aspect of the submissions for this photo and its' competition to decide the winner. The photo's were picked apart piece by piece and Kahuamp's "Hunter, Prey" came out the victor. Well done. What an incredible display of patience and trophy manipulation skill. Congratulations.
Congratulations again to the winners. Many of the submissions were hard to cut, and in the end it came down to the nitty-gritty to decide our winners.
We hope you've all had fun participating in the May Photo-Op Giveaway and hope to see you participating again in future community competitions.
Gifts have been handed out via PM here on the forums. Winners please check your inbox and let me know if you have any issues claiming your prizes.
Peace.
