I attended the opening reception for the 5th Annual Arts Clayton Juried Photography Competition on October 2nd.  This is one of my favorite local photography competitions as it is usually well attended and just an all-around class act.  This year was no different.  I walked in the door with no real expectation of taking a prize home, so hearing my name called twice was quite a shock.

One of the reasons I love this contest is that the entries are juried in.  I was told that 41 photographers entered over 160 pieces, which were juried down to around 90.  Each application could include up to 4 entries and all 4 of mine were accepted in.   The four pieces were “After the Storm“, “No Parking“, “Southern Exposure“, and “The World Is Her Stage“.One thing I am proud of is that all of my photos were taken this year.  I wanted to bring in new work rather than dig through older works that I have had laying around for a while.

My “No Parking” photo took an Honorable Mention.  The biggest shock was that my “Southern Exposure” image took the Patron’s Award which is something new that they are doing at some of their events.  Those in attendance are allowed to vote for their favorite piece and mine was selected for that award.  I was extremely honored. Additionally, someone purchased the piece that evening, which is a prize in itself.

Just a quick note about the piece, as some have commented about the amount of Photoshop work that went into it.  The shot was an HDR shot where I merged 3 exposures to get the final result.  The final piece could not have been done unless it was taken a certain way in the camera.  A subtle gradient was applied to the top of the sky, but the clouds were not digitally added. The circular polarizer picked them up quite nicely.

Anyway, though it does not mention the Patron’s Award, here is the official release from Arts Clayton

Arts Clayton Gallery announces the winners of the 2008 Juried Photography Juried Show and Competition.

Jonesboro, GA October 2, 2008 – Arts Clayton Gallery is pleased to announce the winners of its 5th annual Juried Photography Show and Competition, presented in conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates
Photography Festival.

Our judges, Ashley Waldon and Melanie Davis performed the difficult task of choosing the winners of this year’s show. Arts Clayton strives every year to assemble a group of judges with backgrounds and styles s varied as the artists and artwork Arts Clayton displays.  This year’s winners are:

+Best of Show- “Ladder”, Daniel Piar
+First Place – “Take a Seat” – Paul Conlan
+Second Place – “Quencha Children in the Andes” – John Nowak
+Third Place – “Making Tea” Kathleen Bjoran

+Honorable Mention – “No Parking”, Jason Morrison
+Honorable Mention – “Riding the Fair”    Tom Kettles
+Honorable Mention – “Zebra”, Anne Berry
+Honorable Mention – “Dog at the Beach” – John Math
+Honorable Mention – “Carnival Fire Department” – Fawn Derosia

The Arts Clayton Gallery will purchase the Best of Show Winner, Ladder”, for its Permanent Collection.  In addition, Mr. Piar will be offered the opportunity for a solo feature show in the gallery in 2009.  Winners of First, Second and Third places received cash prizes.

“We are very excited to include such an incredible example of photography in our Permanent Collection”, says Karen Powers, Gallery Manager.   Echoing the judges’ comments, Ms, Powers says, “Ladder”
turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.  It a solid, well thought out, perfectly executed image ideally presented.”

The 5th Annual Juried Photography Show and Competition is sponsored by Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty.  The exhibit will be on display September 30-October 31, 2008.    Admission to the gallery is free.  The rts Clayton Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday, 9-5pm, Saturdays 10-4pm.  All artwork is for sale, and net proceeds benefit the programs of Arts Clayton Inc.

Founded in 1986, Arts Clayton, Inc. is a community service arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life for all citizens and visitors of the Southern Crescent by through the arts.

Here are some more photos from the reception:

That is my piece hanging in the main foyer entry.

For a few more shots of the event, you can get those via my Flickr page.