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The Best of 2001 BY LIZ PENSONEAU OutdoorIllinois subscribers received rave reviews as the judges pored over the entries in our second annual photo contest. It was determined that we have talented, enthusiastic readers with an eye for a good shot. Our chief photographer, Adele Hodde, invited Springfield State Journal-Register photographer Chris Young to be a judge again this year, along with Dave Blanchette, a public information officer with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency who also owns Studio 31, a general and stock photography enterprise in Springfield. Together, the pair have more than 36 years experience behind the lens. Casey Galvin's field of prairie grass was the unanimous choice for the grand prize, a weekend stay at Illinois Beach State Park Lodge at Zion and a limited-edition framed print entitled "Jumping Mallards" by Maynard Reece. Galvin's image was selected for its monochromatic beauty and the fact that he took what others might consider to be a drawback (the flat prairie) and turned it into a compelling photo. Galvin hails from Bloomington. The first-place winner in the wildlife category was Rod Evans of Neoga for his shot of a fawn in a wooded stream at Silver Springs State Park. The judges said that, more than any of the other entries, this shot portrays the beauty and vulnerability of nature. Gene Kunz of Wood River claimed the category's second place with his snowy egret silhouette shot in the fall at Horseshoe Lake State Park. The judges felt this image sent the message that you can work with what you are given and make use of the elements without getting too close to the wildlife. Grand-prize winner Galvin also earned first-place honors in the scenic/flora division with his photo of a field of flowers. "If we were to dream of a flower-like meadow, this is how it would look," Blanchette commented. "Shooting into the sun added to the composition." Second-place in the category went to Jason Ross of Rockford for his waterfall shot taken at Matthiessen State Park near Utica in June. In the recreation category, Richard Seeman of Morton captured two early risers on film as they set out on the Illinois River for a day of fishing—a shot that earned him first place. Second place went to Leta Shumaker of LaHarpe who saw a winner in two-year-old Colby Claassen's cast during a fishing tournament at LaHarpe Reservoir. The new backyard/urban wildlife category had the greatest number of entries. Eric Thompson of Princeton stole the show in that division
February 2002 11 with his picture of a cardinal and a snowman. Second place went to a sequence of pictures shot IP: with a digital camera as a tuna moth came out at night. For this category, the judges said there are things to be learned in your own backyard, and suggested that photographers are given an edge when they give some clues that the environment is shared with people. Several photos were singled out for honorable mention, including: sumac leaves by Joe Nowak of South Holland; wrens by Donna Caplinger of Moweaqua; and a little green heron all stretched out and ready to snatch a fish that revealed a humorous moment captured by Jim Miller of Dunlap. Miller said he was fishing when the heron landed on the branch, allowing him to shoot several close-up images during the late afternoon at Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area southwest of Peoria. The judges were quick to give encouragement to entrants. "They are on the right track and are doing exceptionally good work," Young said. Blanchette added, "Those who entered need to realize that there were dozens and dozens of spectacular photos entered this year."
12 OutdoorIllinois
Febrauary 2002 13
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