Winning Photos, Dec 2, 2014
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Report from Jami Johnson: "Trailing Nature" Photo Contest Winner Announced
The jury deliberated over three hours sorting through 103 entries to pick the winner of the first annual First National Bank and Jefferson County Trails Council “Trailing Nature” photo competition.
"Judging was difficult due to a multitude of excellent photos from the local talent pool,” said juror Werner Elmker. Jurors Mel Sauerbeck and Radim Schreiber nodded in agreement. “It’s interesting being on the opposite side of the table. Gaining a different perspective from the judges point of view is enlightening. It’s much harder than choosing from my own photos,” added Schreiber.
“Trailing Nature” was designed to promote beauty of the 33 mile Jefferson County Trails System, nature in Fairfield, Iowa and the greater Jefferson County area. The purse included $300 cash prize and cover of the 2016 First National Bank Calendar.
“Several years ago First National Bank made the decision to use photos from the Fairfield area to give our calendar a local feel and to highlight the area. Partnering with the Trails Council was a perfect fit for us highlight Fairfield and to encourage the amateur photographer to help us see the beauty out our front door,” said Pat Hurly, First National Bank president.
So who won?
“Photography, especially landscapes, is my passion,” stated winner Jim Davis of Fairfield.
“Several years ago, our family moved to a new house just a hundred yards from one of the trail heads to the Jefferson County Trail. I have made it a habit to get up early in the morning and walk the trail and take photos of Pleasant and Bonnifield Lakes. It is wonderful to take this walk in good and bad weather alike. Many times there are some nice and often unexpected photos to be made, but even if there aren’t any photos that day, it isn’t excuse to be on the trail.”
"The Jefferson County Trails are one of the greatest assets of Fairfield. I am fortunate as a photographer and lover of nature to have this gem at my doorstep.“ concluded Davis.
A display of the top 25 photographs and the calendar finalists will be in the atrium area of the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center the month of December.
First National Bank and the Jefferson County Trails Council would like to thank all the entrants and offer a big congratulation to winner Jim Davis. The success of this year's contest will serve as springboard to future creative outlets on the Jefferson County Trails System.
Setting up display in the FACC
Quote from the WINNING photographer:
“Several years ago, our family moved to a new house just a hundred yards from one of the trail heads to the Jefferson County Trail. I have made it a habit to get up early in the morning and walk the trail and take photos of Pleasant and Bonnifield Lakes. It is wonderful to take this walk in good and bad weather alike. Many times there are some nice and often unexpected photos to be made, but even if there aren’t any photos that day, it isn’t an excuse to not be on the trail.” - Jim Davis
Jim Davis, winner of photography contest
Congrats to Jim Davis for another photo!
Congrats to Diane Davis for this calendar placing photo at Pleasant Lake!
Santiago Ascencio took this lovely calendar placing photograph.
Congrats to calendar placing photo contestant John R Marble for his photo taken near Walton Lake
Jim Davis won several slots in our calendar, here is another of his shots at Pleasant Lake
Marty Hulsebos is a calendar placing contestant, this photo was taken to the East of the MUM Campus
Jim Davis, calendar placing photographer, taken on the trail Near Bonnifield Lake
Ryan Smelcer is a calendar placing contestant who captured this lovely shot at the Loop Trail West of MUM Campus
Jim Davis was another placing photographer in our calendar, please enjoy his lovely photo taken at Pleasant Lake
Diane Davis - Pleasant Lake
Jennifer Kessler - Jefferson County Park
Amarbayar Amarsanaa - Near Pleasant Lake
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