by Roger Hammons, M.Photog., CPP

We are off to a great start!

The first MDPPA print competition of 2010 was fiercely competed by many decorated veterans and talented newcomers.   It was satisfying to see a substantial competition in the Illustrative, Portrait, and Wedding categories.  As a professional organization with most members working in one or more of these areas, we can be justifiably proud:  the number of participants, number of entries, and the quality of the work presented in these categories clearly demonstrated Maryland’s vitality and talent.

If you participated in the March competition, thanks and congratulations!  You are a winner whether or not your prints received a Maryland award.  While all of us benefit from the insightful critiques of the judges, the education of rigorous print competition is particularly indelible when the critique, given so generously and impartially, is of your own work.

If you did not participate in the March competition, you missed an opportunity to improve your work.  I hope that you will join in the fun in 2010.  The June competition beckons!

Here are the results of the March competition:

• Thirty-six prints competed in the Portrait category.  With scores of 82 points, Best of Show went to “Golden Grad” by Vanessa Ard (non-master) and to “Goddess in the Garden” by James Roy (master).  Charles Bilconish’s “Camo” earned first place honors with a score of 83.  Second place honors went to “Silent Prayer” and “Subtle Seduction” with scores of 81, both prints by Kim Lynch.  Third place was shared by six prints scoring 80s:  “Got You in my Sights” by Charles Bilconish, “Wet and Cold” by Ryan Courtade, “Chicks Dig Me” by Pam Long, “Hard Times by Mike Busada, “High Buttes Alcove” by Bert Pasquale, and “Quiet Confidence” by Vanessa Ard.  Corners went to prints “Goldie Locks” by Mike Busada and “Introspection” by Roger Hammons.
• In the Illustrative category, thirty-one prints competed.  With a score of 86, James Roy’s “Buried Alive” was honored with Best of Show (Master).  Jenna Beers took Best of Show (Non-Master) for her print “Blaze,” which scored 83.  First place honors went to “Desert Uplift” by James Roy, which scored an 85.  Christina Martin’s “Temptress” scored 83 and earned second place honors.  Third place was shared by Jenna Beer’s “Ruin” and Lydia Miller’s “Graceful Dancers” with scores of 81.  Corners went to “Passage” by Jenna Beers; “Curiosity Killed the Cat” by Vanessa Ard; “Up We Go” by Ryan Courtade; “Snowy Creek” by Lydia Miller; and “Bobsled Orchid,” “Red Slipper Orchid,” and “Settling In for the Night,” all three by Paul Biederman.
• In the Wedding category, there were 19 prints submitted.  James Roy’s print “Desert Flower” scored an 87 and was selected as Best of Show (Master).  Lydia Miller’s “Kissable” scored 81 and was selected as Best of Show (Non-Master).  First place honors went to Blyton’s “My Angel,” Michael Dunphy’s “Love’s Twilight Glow,” Kim Lynch’s “Her Amber Eyes,” Christina Martin’s “Contemplation,” and Web Wright’s “Public Display of Affection” and “Taking a Break.”   These prints scored 80s.  Second place honors went to Jim Ritch’s “Field of Dreams,” which scored 78.
• Six prints were entered in the Commercial category.  Best of Show went to James Alley’s “Showing Off,” which scored an 80, while Paul Biederman’s “NY Cab Ride,” which also scored an 80, earned first place honors.
• In the Album category, Michael Dunphy earned Best of Show honors for the wedding album “Ilana and David,” which scored 80 points.  There were no additional awards in this category.

Yes, indeed, it was quite a show.

We are off to a strong start.  Let’s keep the competitive photography fires going.  I cannot wait to see the next Maryland masterpiece!

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