Idabel, OK (April 24, 2018)—The Museum of the Red River is pleased to announce the winners of its juried bird photography show, On the Wing. The competition attracted over 100 submissions from eight different states. Forty images were selected by a panel of nature photographers and naturalists for a second round of judging. The winning photos were chosen by Stephen G. Weaver, an award-winning, nationally-recognized photographer. Prizes were awarded based on the submitted print, not the original digital image. All forty images will remain on display at the Museum until May 20.
Contestants could enter two categories. The natural world division was for unaltered photos of birds being birds. The winners of the natural world category are follows: Best in Show, Great Egret and Chick by Dan Walters (CO); First Place, Late for the Lek by David Strozdas (OK); Second Place, Anticipating Day’s End by David Strozdas (OK); Third Place, Smooth Landing by Marvin Ann Patterson.
Artists who wanted to enhance their photos beyond traditional means could enter images into a second division, “altered/mixed media”. The winners of “altered/mixed media” are as follows: Best in Show, Dove Dance #5588 by Desiree Branson Eakle (OK); First Place, Lunch Time by Michael Blachly (TX); Second Place, Hummingbird Triptych by Toreta Miller (TX); Third Place, Keeping Warm by James Carter (OK).
Other finalists included John Russell Montgomery (TN), Laurie Lawler (TX), Mark A. Trainor (OK), Maddie Nolan (TX), Cory W. Berish (ID), Lauren Lang (CO), Jenise Roulston (OK), Tony Yee (IL), Ronald Washington (AR), Justin Newman (TX), Barrillon Dougherty (TX), Terry McDaniel (OK), Roy Shiro (OK), Kristen Pickens (TX), Gleny Beach (OK), Barbara Reid (OK), John Blach (AR), and Tracey Loyd (TX).
Bird photography, especially wild bird photography, is quite challenging. Capturing the perfect moment requires a great deal of patience, a fair amount of ornithological knowledge, and a pinch of luck. As a result, these photos are not only a testament to the power of birds, but also the artists’ character and skill. Weaver noted that, when reviewing the entries, he focused on images that “illustrated technical competence as well as artful composition” and “clearly communicated a subject and told a story.” He went on to say that the “award winners rose to the top and exquisitely captured the true-life essence of birds in their natural environment”.
On the Wing will conclude with an artists’ reception on May 20th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The public is invited to attend. For more information about the contest, or to view all the finalists, click here. [Pictured: Late for the Lek by David Strozdas (Edmond, OK). Digital Print.]
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