NewsChannel 9 contributor Richard Simms was among several writers who took top honors in a recent Southeast outdoor writing competition.
The Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America (OJEFA) hosted a reunion of the former Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. OJEFA sponsored an Excellence in Craft competition to celebrate the work of some of the top outdoor writers in the Southeast. Top winners included Jim Mize (South Carolina), Donna Bush (Louisiana), and Simms.
Simms was awarded first place in the People/Action photography category with Chasin’ the Sun. He took a second place writing award in the Fishing category with Charlie’s First Fish and second place in the Flora Photography category with Bracken Fern.
He took a third place in the Social Media category with Bobcat Kittens, along with another third place for Charlie’s First Fish in the Sharon Rushton Award for work about and/or for youth in the outdoors.
Mize took first place in the Fishing Story and Hunting Story categories, as well as the coveted Sharon Rushton Award for work about and/or for youth in the outdoors. His book, The Jon Boat Years, was awarded second place and he won third place in all three photograph categories. Bush took top place honors in the Fauna and Flora Photography categories and the Social Media Post and placed second in two other categories.
Three places were awarded in each of nine categories with a total payout of $7,900, courtesy of OJEFA.
The group explored the beautiful scenery of Fontana including a hike along Hazel Creek and a cooking demonstration at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center by the highly successful Appalachian vlogger and cookbook author Tipper Pressley.
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association sponsored the awards dinner. Founder and CEO of Sporting Activities by Owner (SABO), Justin Neal, addressed attendees Saturday night to discuss his group’s efforts to provide access to outdoors enthusiasts who have difficulty finding places to hunt and fish.
“Access to fertile hunting grounds and productive waters has been a growing issue in our industry and the challenge seems to have intensified in the past decade or so,” Neal said. “Efforts to encourage traditional outdoor activities fall flat if we can’t offer affordable places to go. SABO can help. We work with landowners to provide short-term leasing opportunities for people who either can’t afford annual leases or are new to outdoors adventures. Making it easier to get outdoors is a huge part of our mission.”
The 3-day gathering at Fontana Resort was held, in part, to commemorate what would have been the 60th anniversary of SEOPA’s founding in May of 1964 at the same resort. While much has changed in the 60 years since that first meeting, the kindred spirit of those who enjoy the outdoors and revel in telling its stories remains.
FISHING STORY
HUNTING STORY
NON-CONSUMPTIVE
PHOTOGRAPHS – FAUNA
PHOTOGRAPHS – FLORA
PHOTOGRAPHS – PEOPLE/ACTION
BOOKS
SOCIAL MEDIA
SHARON RUSTON AWARD
For more information:
Outdoor Journalist Education foundation of America
Exploring new places with your camera can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when you’re trying to capture unique moments and invigorating shots.
Coming to you from Mike Chudley, this engaging video explores the art of composition. Chudley shares his experience of wandering through Riva, Italy, focusing on how to creatively capture the desolate beauty of this summer resort during the quieter months.
Chudley starts by discussing his approach to composition. He emphasizes the importance of aligning elements within the frame to create visually pleasing images. For instance, he points out how the top of a swing aligns with the roofs of nearby shacks, creating a harmonious flow within the photo. This technique is particularly useful when there are no obvious subjects to photograph, allowing you to find interest in otherwise mundane scenes.
Another interesting point Chudley makes is about playing with colors and light. In Riva, the off-season atmosphere offers a unique palette of muted tones and soft lighting. Chudley experiments with these elements, finding beauty in the abandoned water parks and empty streets. He encourages leaning into your surroundings and making the most of what’s available, which can lead to surprisingly beautiful results.
Chudley also touches on the idea of gamifying the photography process. By treating composition as a puzzle, he challenges himself to find the most creative and pleasing ways to frame his shots. This approach not only makes the process more enjoyable but also sharpens your skills as a photographer. It’s about seeing the potential in every scene and pushing your creative boundaries.
One key takeaway from Chudley’s video is the importance of having fun with your photography. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet coastal town, finding ways to enjoy the process can make a significant difference in your work. Chudley suggests embracing the environment you’re in and allowing it to guide your photographic style. If you’re in a vibrant, busy area, look for dynamic, bustling scenes. If you’re in a serene, quiet place, focus on the tranquility and simplicity of your surroundings. The key is to enjoy the process and let your surroundings inspire you. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Chudley.
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A U.S. immigration officer is facing prison after being convicted of “interfering with flight crew” by taking up-skirt video of a flight attendant last year while he was on duty escorting a passenger who was going to be deported.
According to the U.S. Attorney General Office Southern District Florida, Billy Olvera, 48, was on the job, escorting a person to Miami for removal. Olvera now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for interfering with flight crew enroute from Dallas – Fort Worth to Miami on November 6, 2023.
The crew member had noticed him holding his phone in a suspicious manner, pointing it up towards the cabin ceiling whenever she walked by. Another flight attendant recorded him doing it with a separate phone. They then informed the pilot, who arranged for law enforcement to meet the aircraft on arrival.
They found multiple up-skirt images on the Customs and Border Protection officer’s phone.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 16. In a statement from the man’s attorney, he ‘regrets his actions’ and seeks ‘forgiveness’ from all those affected by his actions. However, it is not thought likely that he would receive the maximum sentence.
From their earliest days of aviation, female flight attendants have had to deal with sexual harassment.
Harassment may be somewhat less common in the U.S. than it used to be since social norms have shifted away from the idea that flight crew exist to flirt with passengers and air travel itself is, for the most part, no longer ‘sexy’, but more similar to bus travel.
On the other hand, almost all passengers now carry smart cell phones with cameras.
Not long ago a flight attendant was caught taking video of young girls in an aircraft toilet, and back in 2017 budget German airline Condor warned pilots to stop circulating videos of flight attendants having sex (presumably with pilots)–both inside airplanes and in hotel rooms.
HuffPost reported that Immigration officials did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment about whether Olvera is still employed by ICE and whether he has a record of previous misconduct.
Sources: CBS news, HuffPost, news agencies, View From the Wing.
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Today, we’d like to invite you to explore the surreal images created by Finnish photographer Juuso Hämäläinen. Besides his talent for capturing exceptional moments and stunning landscapes, Juuso is also a digital artist, 3D animator, composer, and musician, currently based in Vancouver, BC. As stated on Juuso’s website: “Through his art he wants to share the magical quality of life that is experienced when one stays present and perceives the world as it truly is and not through the concepts of the mind as most of us have unknowingly learnt to live.”
Scroll down to see a collection of astonishing photographs by Hämäläinen, and let us know in the comments which places you’d like to visit the most.
More info: Instagram | Facebook | juusohd.com
