(Marc Meylemans)
A record-breaking 600 photos were entered in this year’s Homes & Gardens of the Northwest’s Garden Photo Contest. So you can imagine how difficult it was for judges to select the Critics’ Choice winner and 10 finalists for your People’s Choice vote.
The judges were The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com photographers and editors Mike Zacchino, Drew Vattiat, Stephanie Yao Long, Beth Nakamura and Randy Mishler as well as features director Michelle Nicolosi, life and culture managing producer Kjerstin Gabrielson and Homes & Gardens of the Northwest reporter Janet Eastman.
They looked at each of the original photos submitted that were taken in a garden — public or private — in the Pacific Northwest in the last year by amateur photographers. The images were evaluated based on photographic merit, including composition and subject matter.
Of the 10 finalists in the People’s Choice competition, the photo receiving the most votes was “Dazzling Dahlia” by Marc Meylemans of Beaverton.
Like the Critics’ Choice winner in this year’s competition, Meylemans didn’t have to go far to find his shot. He spotted this vivid red-and-yellow dahlia…
