Image 1:The Story of Big Eyes was selected as finalist & winner in "Details & Macro" category whereas Image 2: Pink Lotus were selected as finalist in the "Flowers" category. Total 17500 entries were received & 882 finalist were shortlisted in overall 10 categories.

The Story of Big Eyes

Image 1 : The Story of Big Eyes
EXIF Info:
Camera Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 100 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

About The Image:
Image taken with canon 100mm/F2.8 macro + 36mm extension tube & external flash with a diffuser.
Dragonflies (and bees) have the largest compound eyes of any insect; each containing up to 30,000 facets, and the eyes cover most of the insect's head, resembling a motorcycle helmet. In contrast to a human eye, each facet within the compound eye points in a slightly different direction and perceives light emanating from only one particular direction in space, creating a mosaic of partially overlapping images.
Dragonflies can also detect the plane of polarization of light, which humans cannot do without the aid of sunglasses. The advantages of this capability are unknown for dragonflies, but other insects are known to use polarized light as a sort of "sky compass" by which they navigate.
Pink Lotus Image 2: The Pink Lotus
EXIF Info:
Camera Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture f/11.0
Focal Length 100 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

About The Image:
Botanically, lotus and water lily are different plants. Waterlilies have lily pads that float on the surface; lotuses have leaves that are held above the water, and blooms that are much larger than water lilies, and most often pink.