Well deserved indeed, I've seen instagram posts with both the others wondering why they didn't get anything!
I think at that level at some point it comes down to liking something better than something else. Personal preference of an army, an art style, or a choice of techniques/composition. All the guys in - at least - the top 10 are so good that it is probably impossible to say that one is objectively better than the other.
Back home now, and faced with a new dilemma. Where the hell am I going to store my entries? Or my shiny new trophy? I've run out of cabinet space! I think I'm going to have to destroy some old terrain pieces, that might help. This time I got to speak with the some of judges and I have a great deal of respect for them, they have a hard job and they take it very serious. There was something fascinating about watching them discuss and deliberate on a single model. I don't think personal preference plays a part, and style varies among the winners. Technique and composition though, plays a big role, I think you're right there. It's been seven years since I last entered, and the level of skill and talent is vastly greater than it was. The fact I got a trophy is a huge shock, and makes me want to re-evaluate what I'm doing. This whole thing has been an inspiration.
Not a shock for those of us on the forum who have had the pleasure of enjoying your fine work for many years now.
Just wanted to say that your winning entry is now on the Golden Demon website (although personally I don’t think the picture does it justice)! Once again, very well done - those are some of the most stunning models I have ever seen! https://golden-demon.com/2019/06/21/bronze-warhammer-age-of-sigmar-unit-warhammer-fest-2019/
Oof, that is a bad photo. Not a single model in focus, should have been at an angle. To be fair it was very difficult for me to take pictures as well. This thing just isn't photogenic I suppose. I really wish there were multiple photos of each winning entry on that site, there's so much in them that goes unseen.
They do tend to get showcased better when they appear in White Dwarf, so you still have that to look forward to!