One of the things that's a lot of fun about entering Photographic Society-associated photo competitions around the world is that when you win something significant they send you a medal or certificate through the mail. Then you receive a colorful package covered with Customs information and exotic stamps, which often requires a trip to the Post Office to retrieve. And because they're coming from other parts of the world, it often takes months from the time the photos were submitted until the packages show up -- so, it's like a surprise gift showing up in the mail.

In this case, my entry to the WSP Budapest salon was submitted on May 15. I received Honorable Mentions for my photos "Galactic Eruption," in the Nature category, and "Bad Mother," in the Open Monochrome category. In the "Woman" theme, I received a Silver Medal for my photo "The Shape of You." (The model is Shasta Wonder.) Here's what it looks like to receive such a gift in the mail -- and, the Silver Medal-winning photo.

The Shape of You (Woman PIDC) (Salon Silver Medal)