26th Annual Judged Photography Exhibit

Judges Statement

It was an honor and pleasure to judge the Arts Rolla photography contest.  The photographs were all excellent, and I want all the photographers to kow how impressed I was with the entries. Paring down the selections was not a straight forward task.

It's an onerous job awarding achievements for fine art photography, because competi8tion is not the purpose of art.  I've always felt the purpose of photography was to evoke feelings in the viewer.  It's particularly difficult passing judgement in a show with a wide variety of subjects and styles.  My process was to initially ignore subject matter, stylistic approach, and technical skills to focus on the visceral.  I looked at mood, emotion, atmosphere, intensity, etc......  I considered the uniqueness of each photograph.  I looked for photographs that weren't as familiar to me, that I haven't see other renditions of before. 

Having narrowed the photographs down, then I looked at technique.  Exposure, composition an cropping form, color, balance.   This is the part where I got pretty picky and made my last selections.   Then I repeated the entire process, to see if I felt that I'd missed anything.

There were several standout photographs, but there were no entries without merit, and all submissions had certain strengths and deserve some type of merit.  I've often espoused that winning any artistic competition needs to be kept in the cont4ext that it is a subjective opinion.  Ask me to review the same photographs next month, and being in a different mood with additional life experiences, my choices could be different.

Thanks to Arts Rolla for having me as a judge, it was a delightful experience, and thanks to all the photographers for submitting such wonderful images.

Bobby Thompson
Click here to see a video about the exhibit and to learn which photos received recognition from our judge. 
Picture
     Best of Show  - Three Dogs by Jesus Ambrocio
     Available for purchase $75
Picture
     Second Place - Havana Sunset by Kate Verna
     Available for purchase  $120 Framed, 
     $35 Matted and Unframed
Picture
  Third Place - Cannon Beach by James Rogers
   Not for Sale
Picture
     Award of Excellence - Solstice Morning 
     by Norm Movitz
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Award of Excellence - New Generation
     by Jesus Ambrocio
     Available for purchase $75
Picture
     Award of Excellence - Serenity
     by Yue-Wern Huang
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Award of Excellence - You Are Enough
     by Angie Watkinc
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Honorable Mention - Blue Angels 
     Over Pensacola
     by Robert Barth
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Honorable Mention - Rodeo Dog
     by Kate Verna
     Available for Purchase $120 Framed  
     $35 Matted Unframed
Picture
     Honorable Mention - Table Rock
     Foggy Heron
     by Norm Movitz
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Honorable Mention - Pond by Al Griffin
     Available for Purchase $45
Picture
     Honorable Mention - Young Girl
     by Janiece Mulia
     Not for Sale


Melissa Albright


Picture
      Flags of Valor by Melissa Albright
      Available for Purchase $150
Picture
     Tour de Tavern by Melissa Albright
     Available for Purchase $150
Picture
     Portsmouth at Rest by Melissa Albright
     Available for Purchase $150
Picture
     Eagle Watching at SeaBeck by Melissa Albright
     Available for Purchase $150
Picture
     SeaBeck Seascape by Melissa Albright
     Available for Purchase $150
Picture
     Golden Beauty by Melissa Albright
     Available for Purchase $150


Jesus Ambrocio


Picture
     Colors of Busan by Jesus Ambrocio
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Shiba Inu by Jesus Ambrocio
     Available for Purchase $150
Picture
     Tombs of Gwangju by Jesus Ambrocio
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Waiting by Jesus Ambrocio
     Available for Purchase $75


Rob Barth

Picture
     Rialto Beach (WA) Sunset by Rob Barth
     Not For Sale
Picture
     Powell Expedition Reflection by Rob Barth
     Not For Sale
Picture
     Colorado River Night Sky by Rob Barth
     Not For Sale
Picture
     Woodson CA Dogwood by Rob Barth
     Not For Sale
Picture
     Humpback Baleen Whale by Rob Barth
     Not For Sale


David Borrok

Picture
     Flower of the Bee by David Borrok
     Available for Purchase $20
Picture
     Dragonfly by David Borrok
     Available for Purchase $20
Picture
     Friendly Jumping Spider by David Borrok
     Available for Purchase $20
Picture
     Luna by David Borrok
     Available for Purchase $20

Picture
     Six-Spotted Tiger by David Borrok
     Available for Purchase $20
Picture
     Ornate B. Turtle by David Borrok
     Available for Purchase $20


Jean Brandenburg

Picture
     Cranes at Sunset by Jean Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $35 - Print
Picture
     Dock Reflections by Jean Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $35 - Print
Picture
     Whooping Crane by Jean Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $35 - Print
Picture
     Cat in Fog by Jean Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $35 - Print
Picture
     Earl in Wonderland by Jean Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $35 - Print
Picture
     Wistful by Jean Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $35 - Print


Robin Brandenburg

Picture
     Work is Done by Robin Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $25
Picture
     Klepzig Mill by Robin Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
     Falling Springs Mill by Robin Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
     Frost Flower Morning by Robin Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
    Palm Beach Surf by Robin Brandenburg
    Available for Purchase $25
Picture
     Tropical Night by Robin Brandenburg
     Available for Purchase $25


Bob Cesario

Picture
     Street Acrobat in Brussels by
     Bob Cesario
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Propeller by Bob Cesario
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Mother Goose on Next Lions
     Club Park by Bob Cesario
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Geese About to Land by
     Bob Cesario
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Rainbow from Roseway in St. Croix
     By Bob Cesario
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Over Looking the St. Croix Coast
     By Bob Cesario
     Available for Purchase $75


Conner Crites

Picture
     Bee on Flower by Conner Crites
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Distant Boat by Conner Crites
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Hungry Butterfly by Conner Crites
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Falls by Connor Crites
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Ferry by Connor Crites
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Grampa Crites by Connor Crites
     Not for Sale


Al Griffin

Picture
      Antilope Island by Al Griffin
     Available for Purchase  $45
Picture
     Iris by Al Griffin
     Available for Purchase $45
Picture
     Horn by Al Griffin
     Available for Purchase $45
Picture
     Doe by Al Griffin
     Available for Purchase $45
Picture
     Trout by Al Griffin
     Available for Purchase $45


Yue-Wern Huang

Picture
     A Village of Tranquility by
     Yue-Wern Huang
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Matterhorn by Yue-Wern Huang
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Seclusion by Yue-Wern Huang
     Not for Sale
Picture
 Sunbathing by Yue-Wern Huang
 Not for Sale   


Brenda Linkeman

Picture
     The Woods by Brenda Linkeman
     Available for Purchase $65
 
Picture
Norway Boat by Brenda Linkeman
Available for Purchase $65
Picture

Cow in Winter Field
by Brenda Linkeman
Available for Purchase $65
Picture


     Maramec Deer
     by Brenda Linkeman
     Available for Purchase $65
Picture


     Fall County Road
     by Brenda Linkeman
     Available for Purchase $65
Picture


Meramec River
by Brenda Linkeman
Available for Purchase $65


Lenore Marken

Picture
     Weathered by Lenore Marken
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Sultry by Lenore Marken
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Morning Mist by Lenore Marken
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Other Worldly by Lenore Marken
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Ice Bowl Evening by Lenore Marken
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Through the Looking Glass by Lenore Marken
     Not for Sale


Kayla McBride

Picture
     Glitter in the Air by Kayla McBride
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
     Green by Kayla McBride
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
     Humbled by Kayla McBride
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
     Northfork Dam
     by Kayla McBride
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
     Northford Tailwater
     by Kayle McBride
     Available for Purchase $30
Picture
     Catch of the Day by Kayla McBride
     Available for Purchase $30


Norm Movitz

Picture
     Cousins by Norm Movitz
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Jade Globes by Norm Movitz
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Mexican Lights by Norm Movitz
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Tablerock View by Norm Movitz
     Not for Sale


Janiece Mulia

Picture
     Sunset Walk by Janiece Mulia
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Young Boy by Janiece Mulie
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Red Bud in Spring by Janiece Mulia
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Peonies by Janiece Mulia
     Not for Sale


William Oberholzer

Picture
     Old Timer by William Oberholtzer
      Not for Sale
Picture
     Old Gate by William Oberholtzer
     Available for Purchase $150
Picture
     Pretty Girl by William Oberholtzer
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Raider by William Oberholtzer
     Not for Sale
Picture
     White Daffodils and Red Tulip    
     by William Oberholtzer
     Not for Sale


James Rogers

Picture
     Seattle Construction by James Rogers
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Cozy Acres by James Rogers
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Devils Elbow by James Rogers
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Gulfport Blues by James Rogers
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Memorial Day by James Rogers
     Not for Sale


Beth Rolufs

Picture
     Animals at Blue Jay Farm Dixon, MO by Beth Rolufs
     Not for Sale
Picture
     Red Bud Trees by Beth Rolufs
     Not for Sale
Picture
    Vintage Airplane at Vichy Hanger by Beth Rolufs
     Not for Sale


Georgia Lynn Slawson

Picture
     The Guardians by Georgia Lynn Slawson
     Available for Purchase $30


James Swanson

Picture
      Cow in Black & White by James Swanson
      Available for Purchase  $75
Picture
     Fall Road Painting
     by James Swanson
     Available for Purchase  $75
Picture
     Lions Den by James Swanson
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Mr. Cardinal at Dinner by James Swanson
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Mrs. Cardinal at Dinner by James Swanson
     Available for Purchase $75
Picture
     Civil War Re-Enactment by James Swanson
     Available for Purchase $75


Kate Verna

Picture
     Little House on Route 66 by Kate Verna
     Available for Purchase   
     $120 Framed
     $35 Matted Unframed
Picture
     The Proteges by Kate Verna
     Available for Purchase
     $120 Framed
     $35 Matted Unframed
Picture
     The Footballers by Kate Verna
     Available for Purchase
     $120 Framed
     $35 Matted Unframed


Angie Watkins

Picture
     Mermaid by Angie Watkins
     Not For Sale
Picture
     Painted by Angie Watkins
     Not For Sale
Picture
     Rock Star by Angie Watkins
     Not For Sale
Picture
     Nirvana by Angie Watkins
     Not For Sale
Picture
     The Bohemian Love Child by Angie Watkins
     Not For Sale