As in previous years, the standard of entries in this year’s competition was very high, making it extremely hard to judge ‘Show your Colors.’

The focus for this year’s photographers was using the Sigma DP1 camera. Comparing the results to past years this revolutionary camera has, I believe, clearly opened the way to the next level of digital photography. In past years, most photographers have used single lens reflex cameras, and then gone to their computer to add enhancements. This could sometimes lead to an over-use of technology particularly in the areas of color saturation and sharpness and often unsympathetic paper choices.

By contrast, this year’s photographers using the DP1 camera had an opportunity for direct eye to camera coordination, requiring less after-the-fact manipulation. The results were beautifully ‘natural.’ It was gratifying to see technology used to its best effect, with the focus of the work reflecting the photographer’s personal vision.

This year the subject matter was overwhelmingly landscape. It would be interesting to see how photographers utilize this camera to meet the challenge of serious portrait work.

Yoshi Higa