Friends of the Columbia Gorge Capturing Resilience 2018 Photo Contest

Thanks to all the talented and inspired photographers who took part in Friends' fourth annual photo contest, as well as contest sponsor Pro Photo Supply and our volunteer judges. The contest winners were announced on April 7, 2019 at Friends' 39th Annual Meeting & Luncheon at Skamania Lodge. Stay tuned for our 2019 photo contest, launching this fall.

We are thrilled and honored to present the following winners and honorable mentions:

Grand Prize Winner: Colleen Wright


Category Winners
 

Honorable Mentions

  

Colleen Wright Grand Prize
Grand Prize Winner, Fog and Trees on Nick Eaton Ridge Trail, Colleen Wright. Contest judge comments: "This moody image evokes both the devastation of the Eagle Creek fire, while hinting at the resilience of the forest, as the sun cuts through the mist, and patches of green are revealed in the ground cover on the hillside." "The lighting is fantastic…the photo just sums up the resilience of nature in general and the Gorge in particular."
Leipold_Cultural_2018
Cultural Category Winner - Jeremiah Leipold. “I’m drawn in by the soft light, layering, and juxtaposition of the various elements in this shot. The color in the sky is fantastic, and I love the yellow foliage on the brush surrounding the platform.” -- contest judge Vince Ready
Leipold_Scenic_2018
Scenic Category winner - Sunrise at Horsethief Butte, Columbia Hills State Park, Jeremiah Leipold. Contest judge comments: “I like the late-summer feel of this shot...The decision about where to place the rocks in the foreground creates nice balance, and it naturally guides the viewer’s eye towards the basalt cliffs in the distance.” “I love the composition of the near rocks leading the eye to the butte. The fact that the image was taken in the dry season makes it stand out.”
Jacobson_Wildflowers_2018
Wildflowers category winner - Bitterroot, Don Jacobson. Judges' comments: “The flowers nestled in the rock are beautifully lit and include great detail. It’s a timeless composition.” “I love the soft background that adds nice detail but doesn't distract. My eye is drawn from flower to flower looking at the details, differences, similarities. I feel like I could spend a lot of time enjoyable time just absorbed in this image.”
Wildlife_Partin_2018
Wildlife category winner, Song Sparrow at Steigerwald, by Bill Partin. “There is incredible sharpness and detail in the sparrow’s plumage and eye/beak, yet it feels like you’re spying him through a gap in the bramble. The shallow depth of field and neutral background color makes this a very intimate shot.” -- contest judge Vince Ready
Youth Photographer_Nenadic_2018
Youth Photographer category winner, Scrub Jay at Steigerwald, by Ethan Nenadic, age 14. Judges' comments: “There is nice color and composition balance in this shot. The railing provides a 'trailing line' which naturally separates and anchors the frame, while the blues of the feathers against the green of the background make for a striking and engaging photograph.” “Well focused without any distracting elements. A deceptively simple image that works fantastically.”
Honorable Mention_Gomez_2018
Honorable Mention, Beacon Rock and Star Trails, Daniel Gomez. “The planning and preparation that went into making this image is readily apparent. I love that the photographer retained detail in the trees and along the shoreline, while timing the shot to center the axis of rotation for the star trails directly above Beacon Rock.” - contest judge Vince Ready
Honorable Mention_Hotchkiss_2018
Honorable Mention, Cycling Through Mosier Twin Tunnels, Cate Hotchkiss. “There is symmetry, depth and visual interest in this shot. Your eye is naturally guided into the shot, pausing on the bicycle, and then continuing all the way through the tunnel. Great composition and shot framing." -- contest judge Vince Ready
Honorable Mention_Kirkland_2018
Honorable Mention, Tiger Lily in the Burn Area (Herman Creek), Bill Kirkland. "Thematically, it is very on point with the theme of resilience, and the lily as a metaphor for recovery and rejuvenation really touched us emotionally." -- photo contest judge Vince Ready
Honorable Mention_Philpott_2018
Honorable Mention, The Hook (Hood River), Sharon Philpott. “This is such a beautiful and unexpected shot from a location which is familiar to anyone who lives in Hood River. I like the drama in the sky and the smoothness of the water (that results from the five-second exposure).” -- contest judge Vince Ready