2023 Air Force Photo Contest Winners

This year’s theme “101 Days of Summer” invited photographers to capture the essence of Summer through their lenses and showcase their creativity, talent, and love for the vibrant season. The nearly 400 entries included joyful beach days, refreshing poolside moments, delightful family gatherings, captivating sunsets, thrilling outdoor adventures, and quiet moments in nature’s embrace.

For the first time, the contest included both traditional and composite photography. Composite photography involves combining multiple images or elements to create a final composite image. Photographers use image editing software to merge various elements such as different photographs, backgrounds, textures, or objects, to produce a new and often more elaborate composition. The addition of the new category empowered entrants to create cohesive and imaginative photo compositions of their own fantasy worlds and fictional scenes of their ideal summer that may not exist in reality.

All winners will receive Amazon gift card prizes: First place–$500, Second place–$400, and Third place–$300

See the winning images below or download the winner’s gallery.

See all 2023 Photo Contest entries here.

Congratulations to the winners:

Traditional Photography, Adult Accomplished

First Place — “Summer of Baseball” by Lenney Tangog, Hill AFB, Utah
Second Place — “Alight” by Tiffany Lewis, JB San Antonio, Texas
Third Place — “Monarch and Zinnia” by Sarah Luiggi, Robins, Georgia

Traditional Photography Adult Novice

First Place — “The Arch” by Tina Dumaplin, Beale AFB, California
Second Place — “Summer Pollinators” by Donna Besley, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Third Place — “Canyon of Wishes” by Jacob Dudkowski, Yokota AFB, Japan

Traditional Photography, Teen 13-17

First Place — “Mirror Lake” by Nicolas Epling, Edwards AFB, California
Second Place — “Liquid Poetry” by Audrey Hunsaker, Patrick SFB, Florida
Third Place — “Lighthouse Stairwell” by Collin Oler, Patrick SFB, Florida

Traditional Photography, Pre-teen 9-12

First Place — “Bloom Where You Are” by Macey Knowles, Fairchild AFB, Washington
Second Place — “Reflection” by Thor Winn, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Third Place — “Teddy Bear Picnic” by Lydia Brown, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho


Traditional Photography, Youth 6-8

First Place — “Flowers on the walk” by Zoey Richardson, Fairchild AFB, Washington
Second Place — “The Wave” by Ellie Oler, Patrick SFB, Florida
Third Place — “Summer Fun in Hawaii with Mickey” by Donavyn Pucci, Hill AFB, Utah


Composite Photography, Adult Accomplished

First Place — “Summer Nights” by Kandace Richardson, Fairchild AFB, Washington
Second Place — “City Shadowscape” by Jeana Ortiz, Andersen AFB, Guam
Third Place — “Seasons of Summer” by Michael Miko Borbon, Yokota AB, Japan


Composite Photography, Adult Novice

First Place — “Lavender Haze” by Tory Cannon, Beale AFB, California
Second Place — “Full of Wonder” by Hattie Knowles, Fairchild AFB, Washington
Third Place — “Paw Prints in the Sand” by Amanda Schaefer, JB San Antonio, Texas


Composite Photography, Teen 13-17

First Place — “Peeking Through” by Layne Knowles, Fairchild AFB, Washington
Second Place — “Reflecting Sunsets” by Elliott Erredge, JB Andrews, Maryland

 

All Traditional Photography Composite Photography