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First, I am writing this to announce that I took third place in the Birds category at this year's Wildlife in North Carolina magazine's photography competition. I also want to say it is always an honor to place in this competition and I want to thank of the folks who make this possible at the NC Wildlife Commission.

Next, I want to say that this was not the image I thought might place. Isn't it funny how we have expectations based on our own preconceived ideas and bias. When someone else looks at our work with unbiased eyes, they see the work for what it really is.

I have always preached at my "students" that a good photo is a good photo no matter what energy it took to make it. No one cares about all the hours you put into it and nights sleeping on the ground, for example. It is all about the end result. Yes, there is reward for we photographers, individually in making that shot, but in the end we are judged on the final product. We are telling stories with our images, not the story of how we got there (as interesting to some as that might be).

So, my wisdom to new photographers out there is to just stay with your vision and make the shot. Judge yourself on the shot. Be fulfilled in your journey to make the shot.

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