Our four finalists, as selected by a panel of our site administrators, have chosen the following four photos as the top four contenders for the title. Please vote for one of these as the photo-of-the-year, and await as the results get compiled. The voting will be open until the middle of the month so you all have time to get your vote in.

The four finalists are:
February 2012:
Francis Drake and the English Fleet

March 2012:
Reflections in a Pool

April 2012:
The Penitents

November 2012:
The Canal at Maesbury in the Autumn Sunshine

Good luck to all the participants, and thank you to everyone who took part throughout the year. There are really some amazing photos that you've all posted.

Oh this is so hard. Each one of them is a brilliant photo.

I so agree Christina, it is so hard. The choices detract in no way from so many beautiful amazing, funny, clever and brilliant pictures in the forum over the last year. It has been mind blowing at times, and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be a part of this great group of clever clever people. Thanks to all.I want to thank Jill and Leo for their support and especially Leo for this poll and its organisation.
Thanks also to admins for their support, Sue for her tolerance and Terry for offering a prize. Above all thanks for the wonderful contributions and the comments which encourage us so much. We couldn't do it without you. I would like to thank My Mum and Dad, my lovely family , my dog Gnawra and my cat Rosie who have contributed in their way. Thanks also to all the animals who seem to play a large part in this area of FT. Thanks,Woof, Baa,Cheep,Cluck and Meow to you all. Ren.

Great speech Ren.

Best speech I've heard in a long time! (So says Precious, too!)

It's been fun participating in this forum this year. Good luck to the finalists. You give us all something to 'shoot' (groan) for.

This multiple choice is more difficult than a particularly difficult round in the Impossible Game in Global Challenge. Hardcore. And that's a fact.

What a splendid idea and such a difficult choice. I can see that it will be very close when the results are published.

I know, I had such a job making my mind up, they are all so good.

Have you voted yet?

I have voted, I finally made up my mind

Gah, it is hard... But I've made up my mind.
...And nicely done Ren.

Well Leo did most of it. The admins chose the final 4. Jill, Leo and I chose the months. Blame Chavs for having the idea. It is all of you that made the choices so diverse and lovely.

Very impressive finalists, it was good to have one of mine in there as well, and after whittling down to two picked the one I'd probably put on the wall.

I've finally managed to make up my mind too.

I only just noticed this because I've been busy working this month. Some really good photos here. Voted now.

Thanks for bringing this thread up, Dot. Voting ends on Tuesday 18th, so go for it!

Voting ends today, Ren!

Even so, it is still the 15th here for several more hours

OK, we will give the rest of the world a few hours to catch up..

Not quite the all of the rest of the world, Ozzz

Wow. To have one of my photos nominated for this final is breath-taking. I'm delighted and thrilled. But mostly humbled in the presence of so many fantastic photographers.

I haven't posted any new photos for a little while as I'm away doing field work and forgot the cable to connect the camera to the laptop....

Oooops! Sorry Yes of course, Liz, as always we will wait for everyone.

Well done everyone, it was a tough choice, and a very high standard....and thank you Ren and Leo, and of course judges, for making it happen.


I can see the results...so is it over and ...

I can see the winner!


Heartfelt Congratulations!

It's a truly stunning photo and very worthy of the title.

A worthy winner indeed It is a fantastic photo Well done!

Congratulations!

Congratulations from me, too.

A very beautiful photo! Well done and congratulations!

Well done, a worthy winner indeed from a very lovely group of photos.