Mailbag - August 2023

From the Grand Prize winner

I am writing to express how much of an impact the 2023 Photo Contest and, overall, The Buzz Magazines has had on me. I love The Buzz Magazines because it gives a voice to the voiceless and helps high schoolers like me find my identity. This contest helped me discover a new hobby and I will continue to work on photography! Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity and I would love to participate again in the future!

Rilina Tran

Editor’s note: Your feedback means a lot to us, Rilina. Congratulations again to you – we are always impressed by the caliber of the winning photographs in our Photo Contest, but the fact that you are 17 and won our grand prize is particularly special! 

From the People’s Choice winner

What an honor to have three images selected by your judges as finalists. I look forward to your July issue every year to catch a glimpse of the amazing  images submitted each year. I'm also grateful and humbled to have my Ambushed – look closely image selected as this year's People's Choice winner at the Pop-Up Gallery. Kudos to The Buzz staff for another wonderful neighborhood photo contest.

If you all post the People’s Choice winner, please let me know when and where. My wife doesn’t believe me! LOL.   

David Holland

Editor’s note: David, thanks for the nice feedback – and yes, your photo Ambushed – look closely did indeed win People’s Choice! Find a recap from our Pop-Up Gallery, plus the announcement of People’s Choice, in this issue. 

Correction: Bridge mix-up

The First Place Landscape photo of the bridges in New York City identifies the bridges as the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges. The first one is indeed the Brooklyn, but the one behind it is the Manhattan Bridge, not the Williamsburg, which is further up the river. This is easily verified by just looking on Google Maps, where you can see where the bridges are.

It is an easy thing to get mixed up, though – and it’s an outstanding photo of the bridges. 

Peter Denman

Editor’s note: Peter, thank you for writing in. We made the correction online and appreciate you letting us know. 

Talented photographers of all ages

This year’s Buzz photo contest attracted many photographers. I was glad to see younger people participating and also winning. After all, they are the future of this wonderful hobby. To some it might turn into a profession. I was fortunate to have been selected for a couple of awards. It is always exciting to participate in this contest and see all these wonderful pictures. It shows us that we can still learn new things. I want to thank The Buzz staff for their kindness and professionalism and for creating the contest. 

Note: I titled one of my pictures Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges, but in fact they are the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.  

Mauricio Recinos  

Hit the jackpot

I am writing in response to your article, UnBridaled Gratitude [by Cindy Gabriel, June 2023]. Aimee McCrory and I took our first photography class together ten years ago and we clicked immediately. Cindy Gabriel sure did hit the jackpot gaining Aimee in her life by marriage. If the other sisters-in-law are even a tad bit like Aimee then she indeed hit the Powerball of family lotteries. Happy reading! 

Katherine Kardesch 

Send letters to [email protected]. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and space. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.