What makes a good scenic photo? For some, it’s air and water, stone and foliage. Others may find that people and animals help bring in an animate moment.

Our student photo contest showcased several animated perspectives. First place went to Sam Saimo for his snow shot on a lonely North Bend trail, while second place went to Hayley Haskitt for a blue, cloud-streaked sky shot above a Snoqualmie Ridge hiking trail.

Saimo won a mentoring session with Mary Miller, while Haskitt won an Omega Photo poster print.

“What draws me to make a shot is just the way I see things through my camera,” said Saimo. “It’s hard to describe, I just really look for unique ways to see things, then try and capture it with my camera.”

Madi Ashby zoomed in on hikers at Rattlesnake Ledge with help from a viewfinder at the Cedar Falls interpretive center.

“I thought it looked really cool and followed the rule of thirds,” an old composition trick that puts an emphasis on an off-center subject rather than simply centering the subject, she said.

All student contest entries can be viewed in the attached slideshow.