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TAMRON User Photo/Video Contest 2024 Winner’s Circle!
Landscape
Portrait
Wildlife
Macro
Video
Landscape Photography
JUDGES: Jose Mostajo, Sean Parker, Ian Plant
1st Place Winner!
Sagarika Roy
From: Chatsworth, CA
Lens: TAMRON 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length: 41mm
Exposure: F10, 1/100 sec., ISO 400
Judges’ Statement: “This photograph captures a truly magical moment, where soft sunset colors, low-lying fog, and towering cliffs combine to create an ethereal, cohesive scene. The fog not only enhances the mood but also serves as a leading line, guiding the viewer deeper into the landscape and evoking a sense of wonder. Perfect timing, thoughtful composition, and technical skill elevate this image, making it a standout example of great landscape photography.”
Roy’s Statement: I’ve always felt deeply connected to nature. For a long time now, my parents haven’t been able to travel for health reasons, so I capture images like this for them. During a family trip to Yosemite last year, I spotted this low-lying fog—weather I’d waited more than a decade for during past visits. On that cold morning, the light and scene were changing pretty quickly. I was able to capture all of the beauty and drama without any chromatic aberration or lens flare thanks to the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 G2 lens. It’s lightweight, produces sharp images, and has a constant large F2.8 aperture that’s perfect for low-light conditions like blue hour or Milky Way shots.
2nd Place Winner!
Donna Ruthruff
From: Tuscan, AZ
Lens: TAMRON 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
Focal Length: 48mm
Exposure: F8.0, .80 sec., ISO 200
Ruthruff’s Statement: Lightning strikes so quickly and often evokes fear, causing many to overlook its beauty. One night last August, when I noticed a pulse storm forming just north of me, I raced to a nearby vantage point, arriving just as the storm began dropping lightning bolts at sunset. It turned out to be one of the most breathtaking storms I’ve ever witnessed. What I really appreciate about the Tamron 28-200mm lens is its compositional versatility, making it perfect for storm photography. Its ample range allows me to capture wide-angle shots when storms are close and zoomed-in details of storms as they move away, all without switching lenses.
3rd Place Winner!
Ryan McDade
From: Santee, CA
Lens: TAMRON 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Focal Length: 282mm
Exposure: F10, 1/40 sec., ISO 1000
McDade’s Statement: I arrived at this location and began shooting a time lapse on my Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 lens to capture the entire mountain during sunrise on a reflection pool. Having the 50-400mm VC on a separate body, however, allowed me to “run and gun” to chase the light as it unfolded, and to really punch in from a distance to isolate areas of the alpenglow. The light emergence brought out such a vibrancy of color, juxtaposed by those shadow elements.
Portrait Photography
JUDGES: Glynn Lavender, Hernan Rodriguez, Jonathan Thorpe
1st Place Winner!
Sarah Landis
From: Warren, NJ
Lens: TAMRON 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length: 62mm
Exposure: F5, 1/800 sec., ISO 1250
Judges’ Statement: “This winning image stood out for its ability to captivate, evoke curiosity, and hold the viewer’s attention. It combines emotional impact, through the subject’s natural expression and gaze, with strong visual composition, balancing negative and positive space effectively. The blend of authenticity and editorial style made it the standout choice among an impressive selection of portraits.”
Landis’ Statement: The Tamron 28-75mm G2 lens is a great lens for portraits, especially when short on space like I was in this stairwell at Lisbon’s fabled Palacio do Grilo restaurant. The sun was strong that afternoon, so we went inside and found nice light streaming in the window. I positioned my model, Lia, so that classic Rembrandt light would fall on her face. The high contrast of the strong sunlight on one side of her face and the dark blacks of her headscarf in the shade were challenging, so I chose to expose for the lit side of her face, taking care that her shaded eye was still visible. I like to portray women as strong and powerful, which I think comes across here.
2nd Place Winner!
Christopher Hann
From: Chambersburg, PA
Lens: TAMRON 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length: 39mm
Exposure: F2.8, 1/160 sec., ISO 400
Hann’s Statement: For this shot of model Liz Ashley, I wanted to create soft background separation and keep the focus on Liz’s expression. My goal in portraits like this is always to convey both vulnerability and strength—to capture a cinematic stillness that invites the viewer in. I shot this on the second floor of a historic building where soft natural light was streaming in through the tall windows. I noticed how the light highlighted her hair and asked her to rest against the sofa in thoughtful stillness. The curve of the davenport naturally leads the eye to her, making it a subtle compositional anchor. Lighting was the biggest challenge—balancing shadow and highlight without losing detail or mood. Shooting wide helped maintain that soft, cinematic depth.
3rd Place Winner!
Don Carlo Atadero
From: Ontario, Canada
Lens: TAMRON 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length: 70mm
Exposure: F7.1, 1/200 sec., ISO 200
Atadero’s Statement: Fighters go through a lot of intense training to keep their bodies in the best shape possible. I wanted to take a picture that would highlight the results of their dedication to the sport. After a few shots of Simon with soft lighting, I decided to add some kind of intensity to the photo as a whole. I knew it would make for a compelling picture if he was yelling, but loud noises weren’t allowed in the studio, and Simon pretending to yell wasn’t really convincing. Instead, I had him exhale as hard as he could, to emulate a yell.
Wildlife Photography
JUDGES: David Akoubian, Alex Cearns, Lewis Kemper
1st Place Winner!
Diego Rebello
From: Vancouver, Canada
Lens: TAMRON 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Focal Length: 400mm
Exposure: F6.3, 1/2000 sec., ISO 3200
Judges’ Statement: “This image of the Atlantic Puffin stands out through its exceptional technical execution and compelling visual appeal. The soft lighting, sharp focus, and perfect exposure beautifully highlight the bird’s intricate details, while the simple background and shallow depth of field ensure it remains the focal point. The addition of a curved vignette and vibrant colors further complements the composition, making for a striking and captivating image.”
Rebello’s Statement: My mission was to capture this Atlantic puffin almost like a portrait: just the bird, its expression, and all the fine details that make it unique. I wanted it to tell its own story with no distractions, clean lines, a soft background, and beautiful color contrast to let it truly stand out. It was early morning, with the sun rising behind thick clouds as I lay on the ground watching puffins in their habitat. I simply waited for a quiet moment, and the Tamron 50-400mm captured it beautifully. I was also chasing the right light. I wanted the sun to hit the back of the puffin’s head, creating depth and balancing out its heavy beak, while still keeping the eye as the focal point.
2nd Place Winner!
Alexandre Lafontaine
From: Quebec, Canada
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
Focal Length: 400m
Exposure: F7.1, 1/1000 sec., ISO 1250
Lafontaine’s Statement: The mother fox in this image had returned to her den just as the sun was setting over the nearby sea. During a moment of play with her young, she stopped and gazed intensely at the setting sun while one of the kits stood in her shadow. The elegance of their pose and the dramatic light made the image unique. A scene like this with multiple subjects necessitated stopping down a bit to make sure both foxes were in focus. The versatility of the Tamron 150-600mm VC G2 lens, meanwhile, allowed me to pull my zoom back and capture both subjects when they approached more closely than expected—a prime lens wouldn’t have offered me that flexibility.
3rd Place Winner!
Enrique Barquet
From: Mexico
Lens: TAMRON 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length: 92mm
Exposure: 1/400 sec., ISO 250
Barquet’s Statement: I was the guide for a photography trip in Namibia when we encountered this desert elephant during golden hour. I aim to portray nature as untouched and authentic as possible, so I decided to highlight the elephant’s skill in reaching fresh leaves high up in the trees. It was a spontaneous, magical moment that deeply moved the whole group. Keeping a respectful distance while working fast as the light faded was key. The 35-150mm’s quick autofocus helped me capture the moment without disturbing the animal.
Macro Photography
JUDGES: Alyce Bender, Roman Kurywczak, Tony Shepherd
1st Place Winner!
Sandra Lim
From: Walled Lake, MI
Lens: TAMRON 24mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2
Focal Length: 24mm
Exposure: F11, .40 sec., ISO 250
Judges’ Statement: “This winning image captivates with its masterful use of dramatic lighting, highlighting the delicate ribbing and texture of the mushrooms. The precise focus and striking black-and-white tones enhance the depth and clarity, creating a bold and visually impactful macro composition. The photographer’s careful attention to detail results in a stunning image that blends traditional elements with artistic finesse.”
Lim’s Statement: I’d just started growing my own oyster mushrooms and was fascinated by the delicate structures of the gills and their overall growth process. My goal here was to highlight the gill structure and form of the mushrooms in a more artistic way—something more expressive rather than purely documentary. I used high-contrast lighting to help emphasize texture, form, and beauty and make it more dramatic. I initially tried using flash but couldn’t get the look I wanted, so I switched to a normal handheld flashlight and used a longer exposure to paint light exactly where I wanted it. I love the Tamron 24mm’s close focusing ability here and its wider angle, which lets me show the bigger picture while still capturing those up-close details.
2nd Place Winner!
Charles Spiros
From: Coral Gables, FL
Lens: TAMRON 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length: 28mm
Exposure: F3.2, 1/640 sec., ISO 200
Spiros’ Statement: “I’m always looking to capture the fleeting scenes that are right in front of us, especially those presented in nature. This photo was captured at a tropical botanical garden here in Miami, where the abundant vegetation fills one with awe. The shell’s beautiful swirl caught my eye, naturally tucked into its lush backdrop. Light was a challenge in this scene, as the tree canopy above blocked out much of the natural light, but I was in good hands with a wide aperture, allowing me to strike the right balance in the settings for this photo.”
3rd Place Winner!
Leonard Hill
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Lens: TAMRON 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length: 35mm
Exposure: F8, 1/200 sec., ISO 800
Hill’s Statement: I love to photograph cactus flowers—the petal textures, stamen, and pistil provide so many opportunities to capture interesting details. In this photo, I was trying to capture the delicate beauty of the center of the flower while using the petal edges to create leading lines to draw the viewer into the image. The biggest challenge was getting the right light to define the petal edges, create subtle shadows, and highlight the pastels. I prefer to shoot at sunrise, before direct sunlight hits, as cactus flowers tend to be translucent and a bit shiny. The indirect light created a nice glow in the petals without causing harsh reflections. In this case, I got a late start, so I used a diffuser to shade the cactus.
Video Winner
JUDGES: Ian Jones, Charley Voorhis
1st Place Winner!
Jonathan Barrera
From: Brownsville, TX
Lens: TAMRON 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 &
150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Judges’ Statement: “This video was selected for its seamless combination of smooth footage, precise color grading, and engaging sound design. Memorable moments, such as the slow-motion shot of the bib and powder in the barber shop scenes, stood out for their visual impact. The ability to reveal beauty in everyday moments through intentional pacing, thoughtful editing, and a compelling voiceover highlights strong creative potential and artistic expression with Tamron glass.”
Barrera’s Statement: My goal is always to make the viewer feel as if they’re in the scene, experiencing it all with me. For this clip of the Ferris wheel, I layered in sound effects of laughter and the buzzing energy of amusement park rides, drawing the viewer deeper in and igniting a sense of curiosity. Each scene came with its own set of challenges, particularly when it came to low-light conditions. But with a large F2.8 aperture at my disposal, I was able to focus on capturing the visuals instead of struggling with my gear. Combining the Tamron 28-75mm G2 with the 150-500mm VC offered me the perfect blend of versatility.
TAMRON User Photo/Video Contest 2025
Coming Oct 1, 2025
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