We want to extend a huge thanks to everyone who shared their amazing photography with us for the Seven Wonders of Illinois photo contest! After more than 90 submissions, our judges have decided on seven finalists. Vote for your favorite photo today – the winner will receive a Sony Cyber-shot digital camera from Abt Electronics!
All votes must be in by November 17 and our contest winner will be announced on November 18.
- The Enjoy Illinois Team
Wrigley Field: The Heart of Chicago
Photo by Aaron Brown
Baha’i Temple: Violet Hour at the House of Worship
Photo by Justin Kern
Starved Rock State Park: LaSalle Canyon
Photo by Jim Watkins
Allerton Park: Robert Allerton Mansion
Photo by Keenan Adams
Black Hawk State Historic Site: Black Hawk Under a Cloud-Filtered Moon
Photo by Jim Pearson
Rend Lake
Photo by Tyler Neu
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway: Looking Up River from the Top
Photo by Robert Cope
Honestly, it was hard to choose. Every picture is absolutely GORGEOUS, but the Bahai Temple is just stunning. My hats off to everyone who submitted. Their beauty brings tears to my eyes.
The Bahai Temple looks great but it’s been p-shopped out the wahzoo.
I am honored that my photo has been selected as a finalist.
To those of you who are considering which to cast your vote for, please know that:
* I am not a professional photographer – just a dedicated volunteer for the Site,
* The photo you see is 100% exactly as it was captured on a very cold winter evening, and
* That every volunteer affiliated with Black Hawk State Historic Site will appreciate your vote and the ongoing support of our efforts at the Site.
Thanks for the finalist nomination! And good luck to all the other photographers — your shots are beautiful!
- Aaron
http://www.aaronbrownphotos.com
…with light streaming out of the windows a la Thomas Kincaid “Painter of Light”? With a geometric dome reversed out of the sky? Must be an HDR image.
I like the score of the baseball game in the picture of Wrigley Field.
Great photo!
Great photos. Chief Black Hawk shows the history of Illinois and the Quad Cities
Great Shot!
The Baha’i House of Worship looks haunting:)It’s anything but!
All Great pictures !
Robert Cope’s shot of the “Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway: Looking Up River from the Top” stands out from the rest in my mind.
The size of the photo looks smaller than the rest, but the content is huge……Look at that sky, look at the reflections on the water, look at those colors and that one lonely tow heading down-river at the end of the day in that smooth, smooth water.
What a shot !
“Looking Up River from the Top”…. is a good title too, because this shot has to be taken from a-top of those limestone bluffs along the Great River Road !
I vote for Robert Cope’s Photo !
RiverBill
the blackhawk picture is beautiful. it has a haunting and mysterious quality about it. is there any chance to get a copy of the photo? i would love to have one.
Lets be fair, the Black Hawk picture was taken by an employee of THIS VERY WEBSITE! the picture is nice, but not nearly the composition of the Robert Cope shot of the river(s) which are the lifeblood of the state and it people. The river(s) have been the reason Illinois formed it towns and cities, The Scenic Byways shot by Cope is hands down the best shot! AND I believe he made his own wooden boat that he enjoys nearly year round in those very waters.
Thanks for your comment. I just want to clarify that Jim does not (and never has) worked for IBOT.
For the record, Jim does not work for IBOT. He volunteers at the park. He took this photo at one of our events. Thanks all for submitting. I will not vote, or solicit votes, as I spent 5 years on the board at BHSHS; but Jim does have a nice shot as well as Watkins and Neu.
Well done all!
Awesome pic! Beautiful. Chicago is the best city in the world!!!
The picture of Cheif Black Hawk absolutely is the best picture.
I voted for “Looking Up River, From The Top” by Robert Cope. It is an awesome shot with a great take on the title.
Wonderful photos of God’s work. The photos are beautiful and I can only imagine how much more breath taking to be there in person. I personally love the confluence of the great rivers.Nature is so awesome!
The panoramic view, the variety of natural colors in the “meeting Of The Great Rivers…” photo has my vote. It is an untouched, beautiful natural reflection of the sky and river in a smooth, clear image that captures the natural beauty of this scenic byway.
What a picture, Lookin up river is a true sight to see, Thats an amazing picture with the sunset/sunrise in background, I vote for Looking up river
[...] Hey gators – it’s the last day to vote in the Enjoy Illinois Seven Wonders Photo Contest. I was one of two judges that selected the top seven candidates and now you guys get to decide who’s number one. Head on over and cast your vote. [...]