Photo by Cheryl Strahl.

‘Alaska is Calling’ exhibit to be on display this November

– Cheryl Strahl, a retired software engineer, is set to showcase her photography in an exhibit titled “Alaska Is Calling” this November. Strahl, known for her spontaneous approach to photography, says she draws inspiration from the natural world, particularly the play of light.

“Light is my guide. Where it leads, I follow—camera in hand—as it paints color and shadow, emphasizing lines and shapes, shifting its magic from moment to moment,” Strahl said, “I am a traveler, but wherever I go, it’s the light that calls to me, offering new perspectives and revealing bits of the world in a way I’ve never seen before.”

Her exhibit, “Alaska Is Calling,” will feature photographs captured during her four journeys to Alaska. The collection will include a wide range of scenic vistas and wildlife encounters.

For those interested in Strahl’s work and photography, additional information can be found on her website at cheryl-strahl.pixels.com. Details about art displays at the library can be accessed via prcity.com or by contacting Don Rader at (805) 237-3870.

The library’s regular hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information, the library can be reached at (805) 237-3870, or additional updates can be found on the library’s official website and its social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram.

State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer has announced the second winner to his 100^th District photo contest.

A photograph of wheat soaking up the sun, ready for harvest taken by Brenda Reif-Ranger of Eldred was the winner. The photograph will be displayed in Davidsmeyer’s Capitol office in Springfield. The second-round runner-up winner, Julie Sellers of Winchester will also have her photo displayed in Rep. Davidsmeyer’s Capitol office. The photo contest is running through 2023 with winners chosen at three different times throughout the year. The first round of pictures was selected on July 15and the second round was selected October 1^st. The third deadline will be December 15th.

If you have questions or would like to submit a photo for the contest, call Davidsmeyer’s Jacksonville office at 217-243-6221 or email RepCDDavidsmeyer@gmail.com.

Serene snowfall – second place, portrait and landscape category

Nala, an Australian shepherd, relaxing on a quiet backroad as snow falls

Photograph: Grace Fieselman/Dog Photography awards

Girl in Pink, Dominican Republic, 2019

Girl in Pink was the cover image of Ijewere’s first monograph, Nadine Ijewere: Our Own Selves, published by Prestel in 2021. Among editorial commissions, this book includes work from her series of Jamaicans across different generations and photographs of young people defying gender norms on the streets of Lagos

Celebrity Judge Choice

Hermis Haridas, United Arab Emirates
@Hermis.haridas

This image is a clear display of the patience, coincidence, technical adaptability and composition that earns top choice in the competition. Well-constructed and simply beautiful. The outward simplicity of the photo almost makes it easy to forget how much waiting is required to get a shot like this. The high-speed nature of the subject means you have to be dialed in perfectly when the shot arrives.
— Cole Sprouse, Celebrity Guest Judge

HEIDI DIRKSE
First place winner “Looking for Love.”

On Oct. 5, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge held the official judging for its 31st annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest. It announced the 2023 winners on Oct. 21 at the inaugural Art in the Wild at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.

Judges selected three winners and 10 honorable mentions out of 91 entries from 14 states and three countries. All photograph entries were shot at the Sanibel refuge complex. The judges included a refuge staffer, photographer/artist and member of the Sanibel community.

“Despite the disruption from Hurricane Ian, the contest generated much excitement and nostalgia among photographers and our judges,” contest coordinator and DDWS Manager of Events, Marketing and Communication April Boehnen said. “The photographers found our resilient wildlife and enduring beauty once again.”

First place went to Heidi Dirkse, of Maine, for her portrait of a reddish egret titled “Looking for Love.”

“The photographer caught their subject in an instance of full plumage — a striking moment in nature,” judge and Sanibel resident Laurie Harkey said.

FRANK BRINKER
Second place winner “Low-flying Fisherman.”

In second place was Frank Brinker, of Oberageri, Switzerland, with a photograph of a black skimmer titled “Low-flying Fisherman.”

“Wildlife photography combines subject and opportunity with patience and skill,” judge and wildlife photographer Kyle Sweet said. “This photo truly exemplifies all of these. Not only is the fisherman in full focus, but the plight of the prey is as well, making this photo truly worthy of the award.”

Kathleen Colligan, of Pennsylvania, took third place with “Mangrove Tree Crab.”

“The mangrove tree crab is an often-overlooked animal that is an essential component to red mangrove ecosystems,” judge and Refuge Manager Bob Gerwig said. “This photograph draws the viewer in with lots of textural elements and observes the rule of thirds.”

The winners received cash awards from the DDWS: $300 for first place, $225 for second place and $175 for third place. Each honorable mention winner received a $25 award, which reflects a refund of the contest entry fee.

KATHLEEN COLLIGAN
Third place winner “Mangrove Tree Crab.”

The honorable mentions included:

– Nate Arnold, of Florida, for “The Strut”

– Scott Becque, of Delaware, for “Ta-Da”

– April Sue Billings, of Maryland, for “Manatee Up for Air”

– Peg d’Entremont, of Maine, for “Snuggling with Mom”

– Kent Jager, of Florida, for “Pretty in Pink”

– John Johnston, of North Carolina, for “Still on Sanibel”

– Lois E. Kraemer, of Florida, for “Vibrant Hibiscus”

– Linda Kruleski, of Florida, for “Look Over Here”

– Charlie Lais, of Florida, for “Walk On By”

– Conrad Peloquin, of California, for “Pretty in Pink”

The winning photographs and honorable mention award entries will be on display in the refuge’s Visitor & Education Center throughout the year.

To view all of top-ranking entries, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/photo-contests. The page also contains information on the 2024 photo contest. The deadline for submissions will be Sept. 15.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.

Sharon Denny has won Best in Show in the 19th annual Friends of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography Contest.

Denny’s winning entry of a spectacular snowy egret in flight was captured near her home in Rehoboth Beach, but she almost didn’t take the photo. Her neighbor had urged her to take pictures of a flock of birds at the nearby pond, but she hesitated. “I needed more pictures of white birds like a hole in the head,” she said. But when she went, she found a group of snowy egrets in a feeding frenzy, gorging themselves on tiny fish. Instead of wading for dinner, the egrets were swooping past and reaching down to pluck fish from the water like skimmers. The result was her winning photo, “Breakfast to Go.” Judges said it was well composed and well lit. They praised the color, the background and the sense of movement.

“I just love being outdoors and around nature,” said the retired journalist.

Denny’s winning entry was announced at an awards reception Oct. 15.

The annual contest attracted some 38 photographers who submitted 207 photographs in six different categories. Photos will be on display at the Prime Hook NWR Auditorium through Sunday, Dec. 9. Judges this year were: Ken Arni, Deb Payette, David Koster and Ed Norman. They said they had a difficult time choosing from among some outstanding works submitted by a number of photographers.

For full results, go to friendsofprimehook.com or visit the refuge office.  

Everyone is encouraged to always practice responsible and respectful wildlife viewing and photography.

Special promotional content provided by Reminis 

Gather and gift. It’s easier said than done, especially during the holiday season. With to-do lists looming – meal planning, card mailing, gift wrapping – gathering gets overlooked. To take one thing off your plate during this busy season, the team of photographers at Reminis created this holiday gift guide. Here’s a curated list of thoughtfully perfect gifts for the photographers and photo enthusiasts in your life.

Standing Frames from Framebridge

Why do we love them?

These solid oak frames are as simple as they are beautiful. Crafted from solid oak, they come ready to display. Hang them on a wall or stand them on a shelf–it’s your choice! The Reminis team particularly loves the “Alto: 11×13” style that comes with a stunning blue gift box. That’s one less thing for you to gift wrap!

Condé Naste Print Shop

Why do we love it?

With thousands of vintage photographs to choose from, the Condé Naste Print Shop is a time capsule of the twentieth century. The online collection has something for every photo lover in your life. Our curators spotted an iconic photo of Audrey Hepburn wearing a Givenchy hat, photographed by legendary fashion photographer Cecil Beaton. Then there’s a 1960s-era photo of Julia Childs’ kitchen, which feels both timeless and modern. You’ll discover a range of print and framing options, all starting under $150.

Still Novel’s Travel Art Print

Why do we love it?

Still Novel is a woman-owned company that offers large format photo prints that incorporate elements of story and design, transforming your photo into a work of art.

The products are easy to create in minutes using their ingenious design tools. Our curators enjoyed the Travel Print because it incorporates trip details, traveler details, where you stayed and even detailed map elements. Prints start around $65.

Moment’s “Mobile Lenses”

Why do we love it?

If you know someone who loves using their iPhone to capture moments with their kids, then Moment’s “Mobile Lenses” are a great gift option. Moment pioneered high-quality glass lenses for mobile photography and is consistently ranked as best-in-class by pro photographers. Best of all, each lens in their lineup is meticulously crafted with a well-designed mounting system. Their starter kit starts around $149.

So this holiday season, slow down. Gather near. Let your heart be light. Make memories. From the touching and sentimental to the utterly hilarious, a gifted photo will absolutely be a unique gift. After all, maybe memories are the only gifts that rmatter. 

Reminis Capsule

Why do we love it?

Everyone has old photos, slides, and videos they’ve been meaning to digitize. Our curators are certainly biased, but we think memories deserve to be preserved for future generations. With a studio in the heart of Oakhurst in Decatur, we created Reminis Capsule™ as an easy and secure way to digitize your old media. Simply fill up your Reminis Capsule™ with your favorite photos and our team of expert curators and archivists will do the rest.

Parabo Press Square Prints with Wood Block

Taking photos is easy and printing them is hard. It doesn’t have to be, though! Parabo Press offers affordable square prints that are perfect for rescuing photos from your overcrowded camera roll. Friends and family will appreciate this set of 20 high-quality prints that they can mix and match in their home. Photos are printed on thick matte paper that is certified by the Rainforest Alliance Program for FSC Standards. Add a wood block for a finishing touch that makes prints fun to display. Print sets start at just $10 with an add-on $4 display block.

About the author: Rachel LaCour Niesen is the co-founder of Reminis, a photo and media digitizing studio based in Decatur. Along with her team of professional curators, Rachel is deeply committed to preserving family legacy. Reminis digitizes every client’s memories by hand, using archival best practices. 

Becoming a confident and consistently good photographer is a complex and long journey with plenty of stops along the way. If you find yourself at the start of that journey, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced professional discussing some common mistakes that tend to hold back budding photographers and how to get yourself back on the right track.

Coming to you from John Gress, this awesome video tutorial discusses some common missteps that can derail your development as a photographer and what you can do to improve. As Gress details, learning fundamentals like good lighting and the exposure triangles is a far more important pursuit than filling out your gear bag. A lot of new photographers hurriedly buy the best cameras, lenses, and accessories, but the truth is pretty much every modern camera and lens can produce competent images in the hands of someone with solid technique, and the best options will produce mediocre photos if mishandled. And as you develop your technical skills and creative voice, you may find that your gear needs and preferences may evolve or even drastically change. You’ll be far better off investing in education and practice when you are starting out. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress.