Virtual Summer Photo Contest exhibit goes live at Conservation Foundation of Gulf Coast

Voting underway to determine people’s choice for Best in Show

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast has announced the juried selections and winners for its third annual Summer Photo Contest exhibit.

Photographers of all ages and experience levels were invited to submit their original works “showcasing the beauty of natural Florida,” a news release points out. The jurors were presenting sponsor Elizabeth Moore; noted photographer Kerri Gagne Deatherage; multidisciplinary artist Traci Kegerreis; fine artist Mary Louise O’Connell; and fine artist Karen Chandler, the release adds.

“Hundreds of local photographers submitted their images for consideration,” the release notes. The jurors evaluated submissions on the basis of composition, color, contrast, point of view, whether the image told a story, and how well the image fit its category, the release explains. In addition to selecting which images would be included in the exhibit, the jurors recognized a winner in each category, as well as an overall Best in Show. The exhibit may be viewed at conservationfoundation.com/summerphoto2022 or by visiting the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast’s page on Facebook, the release adds.

The jury-selected winners for each category are as follows:

  • The Big Picture: Magic Morning by Susan Smart.
  • A Way of Life on the Land: Foggy Farm Morning by Richard Weisenfeld.
  • Florida in Focus: 4 Beauties on a Foggy Morning by Martha Huard.
  • Attention to Detail: Peekaboo by Larry Stone.
  • Youth Perspective: Bala’s Nose by Laylah Bouchard.
  • Best in Show: Magic Morning by Susan Smart.

People’s Choice voting is underway on the Conservation Foundation Facebook page through Aug. 31, the release says. At the end of the voting period, the photo with the most likes/loves in each category will be deemed the People’s Choice Category Winner, the release adds. The image with the most likes/loves overall will be the People’s Choice Best in Show, the release notes.

“All voting will take place on Facebook and the likes/loves must be on the original image in the Conservation Foundation 2022 Summer Photo Contest gallery” to be counted, the release emphasizes.