List of winning entries in the 2021 Club Tourism Calendar Photo Contest
We are looking for photos of "travel memories" taken during your travels. The winners of the photo contest will receive local specialties from all over Japan.
In addition, the photographs submitted will be published in brochures and on our website, so please apply.
Please download and use the latest Club Tourism calendar.
2021 Club Tourism Calendar Contest
Announcement of the winners
Thank you to everyone who submitted works to the 2021 Club Tourism Calendar Photo Contest. After rigorous judging from 4,172 submissions, eight works were selected as winners: one Grand Prize, two Excellence Prizes, and five Honorable Mentions. There were many excellent works among those that unfortunately did not win, making the judging extremely difficult. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted works.
*"PN" on this page stands for pen name.
[Judgement and Evaluation]: Professor Hiroshi Itami
As a photo editor, he has served as a judge for many photography awards and contests.
Representative director of the Japan Photo Contest Association. Advisor to the Photographic Society of Japan. Director of the NPO Photo Culture Club.
Club Tourism Calendar 2021
Of the submitted works, eight winning works have been selected to be featured in the 2021 Club Tourism Calendar.
Please feel free to use it.
Grand Prize
Dance of the Cranes
Yasumasa Yamada (resident of Aichi Prefecture)
This is a shot from Club Tourism 's "Photography Tour." It was my first encounter with a red-crowned crane. I was so captivated by their graceful courtship dance that I forgot to take a picture for a moment as they danced gracefully in the snowy, silvery world.
Evaluation
The courtship behavior of red-crowned cranes is known for its graceful appearance and movements. It is common to see them in a set pose, with their backs to each other in a symmetrical manner, but this is a little different and unique, evoking a sense of modesty and shyness similar to the gestures of human men and women. The way the exquisite "pause" is captured amidst the intense movements is well done, and the gentle appearance of the two birds, wrapped in soft light in light snow, is impressive.
Excellence Award
The coming of spring
Pen name: Youn-san (living in Ibaraki Prefecture)
This is a poppy field in Kokaigawa Fureai Park in my hometown, Ibaraki. I took this photo with the sun rising over the ridge of Mt. Tsukuba. This place is often shrouded in morning mist, but luckily it was sunny on this day. Early morning and evening are good times to take nature photos, and on my days off I enjoy going out and taking photos in my car.
Evaluation
The poppy fields, blooming as far as the eye can see with Mt. Tsukuba in the background, are a popular photo spot. In this photo, the timing was perfect to capture the moment when the morning sun peeked over the shoulder of the mountain. The key to success was ensuring that the focus was kept sharp from the poppy in the foreground to the flower in the background. The stems and buds shining in the backlight, and the beauty and volume of the petals shining in the sunlight are particularly appealing.
The closest island to heaven
Pen name: Eri & Nishiyan (living in Hokkaido)
This photo was taken when I participated in a marathon held in New Caledonia. The power of nature backed me up during the race, which made it a pleasant experience, and the next day I visited Ouvéa Island, where I was enchanted by the beautiful ocean. As its nickname suggests, it really is a tropical resort that is "closest to heaven."
Evaluation
The sparkle of the white sand and the beautiful gradation of the sea truly convey the worldview suggested by the title. The clouds and the emerald green shapes look like arrows, inviting the two people in the landscape towards the future. It's a wonderful photo that makes you feel the joy of life, beautifully condensed into the image, making it something you can look at forever.
*In no particular order
Honorable Mention
Beyond a Thousand Years
Yoshihide Saito (resident of Osaka Prefecture)
This photo was taken when I took part in a tour of southern Tohoku. I was excited to see the "Miharu Takizakura" here. I was moved by how it was still in full bloom even after "a thousand years." The blue sky, cherry blossoms, and rape blossoms made for a perfect photo opportunity. I hope this beauty will remain forever.
Evaluation
The large cherry tree, which has lived with people for many years, has a mysterious power that attracts people, not just its beauty. Looking at the work, I feel like I can understand its mysteries and secrets. The blue of the sky, the pink of the cherry blossoms, and the yellow of the rape blossoms each seem to reflect the blooming human spirit of spring.
Light Ray Falls
Eiji Kuno (resident of Aichi Prefecture)
This is a photo I took when I participated in a photography tour organized by Club Tourism in Sep. of last year. After deciding on the location I wanted to shoot, I waited until I found the best moment to take the photo, while also checking the changes in the light and shadows reflected on the water's surface as the sun moved, and then took the photo.
Evaluation
This captures a truly mystical moment at the waterfall. It's not a particularly large or impressive waterfall, but the moment the rays of light hit the morning mist gives the image a three-dimensional feel. The long exposure creates a particularly beautiful sense of flowing water, and it's a stunning depiction of the atmosphere, as if you can almost hear the sound of the water reverberating around the waterfall basin.
Nara Park in late autumn
Yoshio Akashi (resident of Mie Prefecture)
I didn't just want to take a picture of a deer, but rather wanted to take a picture with a composition that showed "a deer in a beautiful autumn foliage scene," so I patiently waited for the right timing. It was still a busy time of year, and the deer were often looking down, so it was difficult to capture the ideal shot.
Evaluation
By focusing on a single deer rather than a group of deer, the quiet atmosphere of Nara Park in autumn is emphasized. A slight sense of tension dominates the image, and I managed to capture the moment when the deer suddenly stopped and looked back. I also think the overall composition, including the balance of the trees and the position of the deer, is perfect.
Rough seas at Tateishi Beach
Nobuhito Yoneo (resident of Kanagawa Prefecture)
This photo was taken under ideal conditions: a clear day with a beautiful sunset and strong winds. When it comes to Tateishi Beach, people often focus on the strangely shaped rock formation, "Tateishi," but this time I chose a composition that would highlight Mt. Fuji and the pine trees, with the rough waves at the center. I set the shutter speed to 1/500, and was able to capture a dynamic moment.
Evaluation
The photo was taken at Tateishi Beach in Yokosuka City, which is also known for Hiroshige's paintings. Mt. Fuji is hazy in the evening sky in the distance, and the waves crash violently against the rocks, splashing water. Stillness and movement coexist in the picture, and it's like "the stage and the actors." There is nothing better. After multiple location scouting, the photo was taken with a spirit of dedication, and I feel the high level of completion.
A magnificent view of blue
Sotaro Kata (resident of Osaka Prefecture)
I visited the Chile Marble Cathedral on a tour in Mar., before the COVID-19 pandemic. The weather was fine and the waves were calm, making it the perfect day for taking photos. When I entered the cave by boat, I was greeted by a magnificent blue view. I set the shutter speed fast to capture the beautiful glow.
Evaluation
A marble cave formed over many years on a lake in Patagonia. Its unique shape and beautiful, dreamy colors are captured in a highly realistic composition. The stable composition is superb, and it doesn't feel like it was taken from a tourist boat. The exposure is just right, and the details inside and the clarity of the water are well-capturned.
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