It’s all about gorgeous portraits in January: Our monthly photography contest winners unveiled!

posted Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 8:57 AM EDT

Surreal intrigue can be found in the prize-winning images from our Photo of the Day contest in January, and they're all well worth taking a look. Reflecting the middle of winter in the northern hemisphere, the top three images from January are low on color and high on stark beauty, and we're honored to display them for you here.

Thanks so much to everyone who enters our Photo of the Day contest. The top three images every month receive gift certificates from Adorama of $300, $200 and $100, respectively. [Note: international readers are welcome to enter, but regulations mean that only US and Canada residents are eligible to win the monthly prizes.]

So, without further ado we present our January Photo of the Day winners and runners-up! Congratulations to these photographers for their excellent work on display here.
(Click any image for more information.)

First Prize • Moose at Dawn by Gary Gray • Canon EOS 7D

Second Prize • Zebra by Goran Anastasovski • Canon 1D Mark II

Third Prize • Black Jacket by David Apeji • Nikon D800

First runner-up • Fishing by Sirsendu Gayen • Nikon D80

Second runner-up • Snowy Owl - Lift Off by Ted Busby • Canon 30D

For anyone wanting to know more about our competition please visit this news story which describes our contest and also offers some useful tips to help you succeed, and this story which warns you of the best ways to NOT succeed. To see camera and exposure information for this month's winners or to see winners from previous months please visit our POTD winner's gallery.

By the way, we've just started a new series of articles called "Reader Stories" where we turn the tables and let you, our readers, do the talking! We're interested in seeing more of the shots you're the most happy with, and in hearing just how you got them, or just hearing about your passions, interests and the gear you love! Intrigued? Click here!