Ladies and Gentlemen- After many weeks of going through and voting on images, we have our Grand Prize winner. Prepare to be a little shocked, I am wondering if we may have a photographic prodigy on our hands here: She is a 16 year old (!!), non-pro from Romania. Her name is Fely Simion. She mostly shoots with an XTi and I am very proud and excited to announce her as this years Michael The Maven 2010 Grand Prize winner!!
I have her brand new Canon 7D with Kit Lens here and will be sending it to her shortly. If you get a chance, please check out her website, it is stunningly awesome. Again….serious skills here for a 16yr old non-pro: Fely Simion’s Photo Website
Fely, I am so absolutely proud of you for submitting your image and winning this contest- it is an amazing accomplishment! We are all very happy and excited for you and are very much looking forward to seeing more of your work. YOU ARE AWESOME! Please continue your dream of art and photography!
I only learned about Fely a couple days ago, she is amazingly humble and describes very well what I think we all go through (self doubt) – I hope she doesnt mind me sharing here.
She writes about the image:
It was the end of August when Aisii (the model) and her husband came to my town for a collaboration we had established a few months before. I was not quite sure about the location, but we decided to peer at the botanical garden. Although the scorching sun was not helping us too much, we managed to find the right place through all those viny summery trees. I took the photograph with Aisii’s husband’s camera, Canon 5D Mark II, and was blown away, as it was the first time I ever used professional equipment. It was a quick photo session, but I felt delighted with the results, which makes me be for ever grateful to them.
As for myself, I am just a 16-year-old dreamer beyond remedy who has been fascinated by the art of photography since 13, and whose goal is to somewhere, somehow, remain part of history….It has been such a difficult year, while I struggled with all the possible emotions, not trusting myself, not having faith in what I do, and hearing this from you just makes me want to hug my camera and go back to work (play)…I still consider myself a beginner, a mad amateur or something, and I think I will forever be likewise. Sure, I hope to learn many things along the way, but there will always be more to discover, which I don’t mind at all (I’m pretty much an avid quirk)..
Thank you, Michael, for the opportunity to be part of your wonderful contest, among so many talented artists.
A huge big Congratulations FELY!! 🙂
yewwwww!
congrats fely!
amazing picture, you definitely deserved it!
Felicia,
I am totally impressed by your vision. As bummed as I was to be knocked out early on I am equally blown away by your captures. So ENJOY your new 7D I am sure that your status as a "mad amateur" will grow beyond your wildest dreams. CONGRATULATIONS~!! 😉
I checked out her website… Great Job! Definitely worth looking at! Congrats!
I will never ever forget this morning (yes, it is almost 1 pm, but it feels like the sun has glimpsed today as bright as never before). So I thank you for letting me know what it is like to have a rainbow after a tornado. I thank you for everything, everybody, for making me be one step closer to achieving a dream of a lifetime.
She writes as such a mature lady. This is truly an old soul. This image is beyond stunning. I cannot stop looking at it. Congrats lady!
Congrats! well deserved
The website is fantastic! Nice work Fely!
Congrats, Fely! I am very proud to know the grand winner!
Congratulations Felicia! Great job, you deserve it!
Congratulations ……….!!!!!! Great Achievement…………..!!!!!!!
Fely Simion truely deserves this award, look at her website…..WoW !!!!! amazing………
my vote was for the ocean wave with the rainbow; however, this image is incredible and I really think it’s awesome / incredible that it was done by a 16 y/o with a T1i – wow! Awesome job Felicia
Looks like creativity won in the end. Congratulations! I’m sure you are now an inspiration to many photographers, young and old. At the risk of sounding like a total technogeek, I’d be interested in the lens used and the other pertinent metadata, if it is available. That would be one more chance to learn something from this contest. Thanks so much Michael!
Using models, collaborating with them for months. Having a website. You may be young, but you are professional. No two ways about it.
Awesome image. Keep it up!
Congratulations,Fely on a much deserved win!!! What a wonderful story and how great to know that someone who really needed the D7 camera won it! Now stay in touch with us on this forum and let us see what you create with it!!!!! 🙂
Fely, absolutely beautiful work, you are so inspirational, it makes one feel like running out to "play"! Keep up the great work, you have something really special going on…!
LOVE your site by the way…
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations Fely! Huge things ahead for you!!!
I come back on this site every day, about 20 times a day, like I used to before the contest ended. It still feels incredible…
And by reading all your comments, I feel as supported and loved as never before. Thank you deeply. And I congratulate all the other finalists; not only are you great photographers but also wonderful humans.
Happy holidays I’m wishing you all. 🙂
Fely!!!! This image in incredible and learning more about you just makes it all that more incredible!!! You have a huge fan in me! Congratulations a MILLION times!! Can’t wait to see what you do with your new 7D!! ENJOY!
Felicia, it was my pick for sure. Number one hon and keep up the play, thats my philosophy too 🙂
To Mr. John Scott: I used the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 lens. And EXIF: Exposure Time: 1/200, F Number: 3.50, Focal Length: 68.00, Shutter Speed: 1/125.00, ISO 125. Also thank you, Thomas and Shannon, I’ll do the best of my best!
WOW!!!…Congratulations…I voted for this picture and I am so happy that she won…she has an amazing eye at such a young age…I hope that I can be like her someday…:)
I agree with everybody… This image shows so much emotional maturity and reflects an amazing eye for detail and craftsmanship. Bravo!!
your artwork is stunning.