My DUMBO Image at IPC

There are certain places that stop you in your tracks.  Locations where light, structure, and history align in a way that feels almost inevitable. DUMBO is one of those places.  Framed by the Manhattan Bridge, with the Empire State Building standing quietly in the distance, it’s a view that has been photographed countless times.  And yet, every time I stand there, it feels new.  This image was created with the intention of honoring New York’s soul.  Its grit, its scale, and its timeless presence. I wanted the photograph to feel grounded and monumental, as if the city itself were holding its breath for a brief moment in time. 

Manhattan Bridge with the Empire State Building

Recently, this photograph advanced into the Top 32 at the International Photographic Competition (IPC) and ultimately earned a Bronze award.  While bronze does not indicate a third-place finish, it does represent a strong score within an exceptionally competitive field, judged among some of the most accomplished photographers in the world. 

I had hoped it would have advanced further.  When you pour vision, patience, and intention into a single frame, you naturally want to see how far it can go.  But competition, like photography itself, is less about the destination and more about the refinement that happens along the way.  To compete at this level is both humbling and motivating.  Standing alongside work from artists I deeply respect is a reminder that growth never stops and that every image is a stepping stone toward something greater.  This result isn’t an ending. It’s a marker on the journey.  A moment to pause, reflect, and then return to the field with sharper vision and renewed purpose.  I’m grateful for the experience, the challenge, and the opportunity to measure my work against the best.  The pursuit continues and the next image is already waiting to be created.