Feature
The Beauty of Nature: Conservation Foundation’s Summer Photo Contest
By Sam Valentin | July 2024 | Feature Photo: Morning Fog in the Forest by Anthony Berry
As they celebrate twenty years of protecting land and water in Southwest Florida, local not-for-profit land trust, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, is celebrating another anniversary this summer – the fifth year of its annual Summer Photo Contest.
First started in 2020, Conservation Foundation’s Summer Photo Contest invites photographers of all ages and skill levels to celebrate the beauty of natural Florida. The exhibition is entirely virtual with website and Facebook galleries showcasing the fifty-image display. Each year, submissions are accepted during the month of May with a jury deciding which pieces are selected for inclusion in the final exhibit. This year, jurors include award-winning photographer and digital artist Steve White; award-winning photographer and writer Mary Lundeberg; conservation biologist, educator, and wildlife photographer Alberto Lopez Torres; noted photographer Kerri Deatherage; and three-time Summer Photo Contest People’s Choice Winner Diane Fairey.
“Morning Fog in the Forest invites the viewer to notice the fog and sunrays emerging at the top right and walk down the path to the right. The light is beautiful as my eye circles around the image. For the judges, it points to the forests and land we want to conserve for future generations, and the importance of taking walks in nature.”
— Mary Lundeberg, juror, writer, and award-winning photographer
Over 300 photographs from across the state were submitted to this year’s contest. Submission requirements were that the photos be taken in Florida within the past year and fit into one of the four contest categories:
- The Big Picture: Landscapes and waterscapes showcasing nature in all her glory.
- The Art of Nature: A celebration of abstract expressions in nature and science; close-ups, angles, patterns, motion, or other unique perspectives of the natural world.
- Old Florida Charm: Highlighting the timeless allure and rustic beauty of natural Florida with an emphasis on cultural heritage, ranching, and rural communities.
- It’s A Wild Life: Celebrating the beauty, grace, and power of our native species.
There is also a Youth Perspective category specifically for photographers aged 15 and under. Youth Perspective submissions still need to fit one of the primary contest categories.
When making their selections, jurors evaluated submissions on composition, color, contrast, and point of view, whether the image told a story, and how well the image fits the category. In addition to selecting which images will be included in the exhibit, jurors award a winner in each category as well as an overall Best-In-Show. Photographer names were omitted during the selection process.
Conservation Foundation is delighted to announce its 2024 Summer Photo Contest jury-selected winners as follows:
- The Big Picture – Morning Fog in the Forest by Anthony Berry
- The Art of Nature – Falling Embers in the Moonlight by Anthony Berry
- Old Florida Charm – Fishing on the Pond by Eddie Miller
- It’s A Wild Life and Best-In-Show Winner – Majestic Elegance by Ken Macejka
- Youth Perspective – Butterfly on Flowers by Reagan McIntosh
“The Falling Embers photograph tells an amazing story that gives a different perspective of a chaotic event that most see as a sad and scary moment, and it helps us appreciate the beauty of how nature regenerates the earth to conserve its biodiversity.”
— Alberto López Torres, juror, conservation biologist, educator, and wildlife photographer
Congratulations to the winners and to all the photographers whose work was selected for this year’s exhibit! The full gallery can be viewed online at conservationfoundation.com/summerphoto2024 or by visiting Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast on Facebook.
People’s Choice voting is happening now through Labor Day, September 2, 2024, on the Conservation Foundation Facebook page. At the end of the Facebook voting period, the photo with the most likes/loves in each category will be deemed the People’s Choice Category Winner. The image with the most likes/loves overall will be the People’s Choice Best-In-Show. People’s Choice winners will be announced on Facebook throughout the day on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
“It is always a delight to see nature through the eyes of our conservation community,” said Christine P. Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation. “Which is why this year, we were thrilled to not only bring back our Summer Photo Contest, but to also introduce an entirely new art-based event—our very first Community Art Show!”
With a focus on paintings and drawings, Conservation Foundation’s Community Art Show is a juried art exhibit showcasing local natural lands through the eyes of the community at large. Conservation Foundation accepted submissions, which were required to be Florida-centric and showcase nature, throughout April, and a jury of local artists selected the pieces for the final exhibit.
“The photograph titled ‘Majestic Elegance’ captures the stunning beauty of a snowy egret in full plumage. The composition is masterful, placing the bird off-center to create a dynamic visual effect, while its graceful posture adds poise to the image. The color palette is breathtaking, featuring the bird’s white plumage against a gradient background of cool blues to warm hues.”
— Diane Fairey, juror and three-time Summer Photo Contest People’s Choice winner
Jurors included fine artist and naturalist Jean Blackburn; fine artist Mary Louise O’Connell; and artist and founder of Litore Studio Lindsey Simonds. When making their selection, jurors evaluated submissions on how well the artist showcased nature, their use of color and texture, attention to detail, and the overall composition of the piece. Artist names were omitted during the selection process.
Nearly 100 works of art were submitted for consideration to this inaugural exhibit with a total of twenty-one pieces selected for inclusion. The pieces selected highlight the beauty and diversity of Southwest Florida through a variety of mediums, styles, and viewpoints. At the opening reception on June 5, the jury-selected Best-Of-Show winner was announced, along with three merit honorees.
- Best-Of-Show: Canopy of Palms by Cory Wright
- Merit Honoree: At Myakka Headwaters by Susan Klein
- Merit Honoree: Spoonbill Serenity by Lauren Marshall-Weems
- Merit Honoree: White Parchment by Suzie Seerey-Leester
The exhibit is on display at Conservation Foundation’s Bay Preserve headquarters now through August 31, 2024. Bay Preserve is located at 400 Palmetto Ave in Osprey. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please call 941-918-2100 with questions or to inquire about holiday hours.
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