Taking flight and bringing home the bacon with a Fuji X-T1, a Nikon D810 and a Sony A6000

by Dave Pardue

posted Monday, November 14, 2016 at 6:04 PM EDT

It's up, up and away for our Photo of the Day contest winners this month, as all three soar into the prize money with several variations on the theme of flight. It was one of the closest voting months in our contest history, but ultimately three excellent images prevailed.

Taking our top prize this month is Bob Jensen, with this being the third time he's been awarded our top honor along with his trusty Fuji X-T1. His compelling image this month of a classic WWII-era fighter silhouetted against a pristine sky certainly captivated the judging panel here at IR, and we both thank and congratulate Bob on yet another well-deserved First Prize achievement in our contest!

First Prize • $300 gift certificate from Adorama

First Prize • P-38 Lightning by Bob Jensen • Fuji X-T1

(Clicking any image will take you to a larger version with EXIF data and more.)

Equally compelling and also of the vintage variety is an outstanding photograph from another one of our regulars, Steve Sampson, whose "Flying Into Oblivion" takes our Second Prize for October. Armed with a capable Nikon D810 and shooting from 500mm, one can only guess as to the nature of his vantage point for the image capture, making it all the more alluring. Is he in an air tower? Perched on a mountainside? In another aircraft in pursuit, perhaps? It doesn't really matter, because the clouds are on fire, and this little vintage bi-wing is heading into the mouth of the chaos and taking us along with it.

Second Prize • $200 gift certificate from Adorama

Second Prize • Flying Into Oblivion by Steve Sampson • Nikon D810

(Thanks Steve, and nicely done!)

In third place this month and also receiving a prize is an exceptionally well-crafted composite from Kirby Pringle. If you're wondering about the rules of our accepting a composited image into our contest, it's simply a matter of taste, and if it's a well-done and artfully crafted composite, you bet we'll allow it! And this certainly isn't the first composite image we've voted in as a daily winner in our contest, but it's been some time since one was good enough to win prize money.

Third Prize • $100 gift certificate from Adorama

Third Prize • Flight Pattern by Kirby Pringle • Sony A6000

(Thanks Kirby, and congratulations!)

Additional Honors

Our runner-up images this month are also exceptional. Dave Atherton uses a Fuji X-T1 to bring us The Ché in stunning repose, and Joseph Ligori uses a Nikon D500 to adroitly capture the "Catch of the Day" for us. Thanks to you both for these terrific additions to our contest and gallery.

First runner-up • Ché by Dave Atherton • Fuji X-T1

Second runner-up • Catch of the Day by Joseph Ligori • Nikon D500

• October Winner's Gallery •

For those of you 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 that warns you of the best ways to NOT succeed. To see the camera and exposure information for this month's winners, please click any image above, and to see winners from previous months, please visit our POTD winner's gallery.

[And if you're ready to enter now, just click here!]

On a related note, 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 happiest with, and in hearing just how you got them, or just hearing about your passions, interests and the gear you love! Intrigued? Please click here!