Saying goodbye to winter: Our March Photo of the Day award winners do it right

posted Monday, May 2, 2016 at 2:11 PM EDT

March was yet another absurdly difficult month for the contest judges here at Imaging Resource in casting our votes for monthly contest winners. We spent half the time shaking our heads... how to choose between *this great photo* and *that great photo*? When the images are all so vastly different, it's really more like we've chosen five winners to display for you here, each capturing a distinct category all their own.

But, just like life, this is a competition after all, and we therefore had to go through the grueling process of assigning the top vote-getters into their respective places. In the end, it was an honor just being able to work with them, and we're thrilled with the quality of submissions we receive these days.

Congratulations to our top five photographers this month, all of whom submitted wonderful photographs that we're proud to display for you on our site! The top three winners will receive gift certificates from Adorama of $300, $200 and $100, respectively. Thanks to everyone who enters our contest, and please keep the wonderful submissions coming our way!

First Prize • Winter Solitude 7142 by Karen Celella • Canon 7D

No stranger to our awards podium, Karen Celella has been featured here in our top slot on many occassions. Congratulations, Karen, on another outstanding photograph, and we look forward to more!

See more prize-winning images from Karen Celella:

Pleasure and Pain • Wild Dolphin • Close Family 5011

Second Prize • Trapped Methane Bubbles by Sean Rooney • Nikon D4

Also no stranger to our awards podium is our regular Sean Rooney, who has taken home the
First Prize on several occassions now. This is a really wonderful shot, Sean.... congratulations, and thanks for sending it our way!

See more prize-winning images from Sean Rooney:

Black & White • Ride em Cowboy • Morning Silence

Third Prize • Snowy Bank by Christopher Cove • Canon 1D Mark III

We see a number of snowy owl shots in our contest, some that have even won prizes, but this one from Christopher Cove is particularly good. It's a nice moment, perfectly captured and different from the norm. Well done, Christpoher, and we look forward to more from you!

First runner-up • Innocent Smile by Sirsendu Gayen • Nikon D610

Thanks, Sirsendu!

See more prize-winning images from Sirsendu Gayen:

Little Steps • Himalaya

Second runner-up • Beetle Juice by Shannon Sweeney • Canon 7D Mark II

Thanks, Shannon!

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.

[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 most happy 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!