DPReview Editors' Choice photo challenge: top picks

For our most recent Editors' Choice photo challenge, themed 'The Dog Days of Summer', we asked readers to share pictures showing how they embraced summer's hot, sweltering days. After submissions closed last week, our editors spent several days carefully reviewing all the entries and collectively selected our favorites.

With over 300 entries to choose from, our task was challenging, and we were reminded of how much talent exists within our DPReview community. Numerous photos could have made the cut – many more than we can present here – but we had to whittle it down to a manageable number.

On that note, we present our top 20 picks from this Editors' Choice photo challenge. And if we didn't get to feature your photo this time around, watch for our next photo challenge!

Sunset smile

Photographer: luka3rd

Description: My daughter enjoying the last sun rays on one of the summer evenings. It was taken in the village of Nea Skioni in Greece during our vacation in June of this year.

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II and Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM

I think someone's watching...

Photographer: Orangutaan

Description: Friends pose for a shot during a much needed hot summer dip in the Burrard Inlet (Vancouver, BC), with Bowen Island in the distance.

Equipment: Canon AE-1 Program and Canon FD 50mm F1.4

A parade for the love of clay

Photographer: mikolaj_szary

Description: For years, I have been traveling during the Summer to Bolesławiec, a Polish city in Lower Silesia, where clay has been made for centuries. I go there whenever there is the annual ceramic festival, which takes place for several days. The most picturesque part of those days is a procession of people getting painted with clay, who are dressed in unique costumes. Everyone takes part in this parade. Creativity counts. I took this photo during this year's parade on a hot Saturday afternoon.

Equipment: Canon EOS 50D and Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM

High altitude hiking

Photographer: NZ Scott

Description: On the Mestia-Ushguli Trail, Georgia.

Equipment: Sony RX100 VII

Dog days of summer

Photographer: TimJoeBill

Description: I saw this dog enjoying the view from a camper van on the coast in Highland, Scotland, on a rare warm and sultry August day.

Equipment: Leica SL2-S and Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH

Untitled

Photographer: Battery_Kinzie

Description: Taken on Lake Zürich, in Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen. It was a boiling hot day. This photo was taken at 20:16, and it was still warm enough that a cooling dip in (or dive into) the lake was an attractive proposition.

Equipment: Sony a6000

Ladies in Castelluccio

Photographer: Andrea Beneventi

Description: The traditional flowering of lentils in Castelluccio di Norcia.

Equipment: Canon EOS 700D

Dock jump sunset

Photographer: owenleve

Description: Oliver Dock jumping at sunset. Donner Lake. Truckee, California. Enjoying the dog days of summer. Taken standing chest-deep in the lake.

Equipment: Nikon Z9 and Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4.5

Chillin' in the middle of the river

Photographer: Dondog

Description: Happy day in Chesterfield Gorge, Massachusetts.

Equipment: Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EF 40mm F2.8 STM

Untitled

Photographer: Ab S

Description: Mietze enjoying sun warmth (like only a cat can).

Equipment: Sony RX10 IV

Fishing at sunrise

Photographer: kodakrome

Description: Fishing at sunrise on a warm August morning. Garden City Beach, South Carolina.

Equipment: Canon EOS R8 and Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM

Fair winner

Photographer: JeffryzPhoto

Description: Summer means county or state fairs, this being the San Diego County Fair. A girl proudly takes home her prize.

Equipment: Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujifilm XF 16mm F1.4 R WR

Launch into summer

Photographer: Orangutaan

Description: A friend poses for a shot during a much needed hot summer dip in the Burrard Inlet (Vancouver, BC), with Bowen Island in the distance.

Equipment: Canon AE-1 Program and Canon FD 50mm F1.4

The trampoline

Photographer: mcxxrr

Description: Taken in Rhodes. Loved all that was happening on the stairs and the boy discussing the far boat with the girl.

Equipment: OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark ii and Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100m F4 IS Pro

Admiring the sunset

Photographer: CanmorePat

Description: A Rocky Mountain goat admires the sunset in his home in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia.

Equipment: Sony a6600 and Sony 18-35mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

The joys of summer

Photographer: Albert kings

Description: My daughter celebrating the little but most memorable things.

Equipment: Apple iPhone X

Where'd it go?

Photographer: ULprof

Description: In a late afternoon golf tournament my son was playing in, I snapped this picture of all the kids looking off into the sunset as they desperately tried to track where their golf balls went.

Equipment: Sony a7R IV and Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II

4th of July pool time!

Photographer: AlexeyV

Description: lol party for 4th of July, my son showing off his jumping skills.

Equipment: Fujifilm X100VI

The golden wings of summer glow

Photographer: Ritam Melgunov

Description: The egret flying up in the sunset glow. Captured at the end of August specifically for the Challenge. Surroundings of Gatchina, Leningrad region, Russia. My poem: How nice ‘tis to be a bird! A waft — and you are awing! A bird has no debt or deed, He can simply fly and sing— How nice ‘tis to be a bird! O freedom! O breadth! O flight! No bond, no care, no curb— Just soar to the happy height!— A bird speaks no hurting word Nor lies — a bird lives a dream— How nice ‘tis to be a bird! Oh, yes! I would fly with him!

Equipment: Canon EOS R7

Find your beach

Photographer: rshoub

Description: We were late getting off to the beach, but that didn't stop our granddaughter from getting a head start. Here she is on a blanket of sun coming through the skylight onto the floor of our Rhode Island summer rental cottage.

Equipment: Sony RX10