UT Photo Certificate Photo Contest Winners 2008

I was fortunate to be one of the judges for the 2008 version of the University of Tennessee Photography Certificate Annual Photo Contest. The other judges were; Larry Perry, Wade Payne, Kendall Chiles, Ron McConathy and Brad Cottrell, all are instructors in the certificate program. We all agreed that this year's entries were the best and hardest to judge since the contest started three years ago. The first year's winner was Bryan Lynn, last year the winner was Ross Ramsey and here are the winners for this year.

First place - Chad Smith (Fireman)



Second place - Emily Jones (Flower with Bee)



Third place - Colby MeLemore (Portrait of Brunette)



Honorable Mention - Pat Postma (Water Reflection)



Honorable Mention - Emily Jones (Floating Leaf)



Honorable Mention - Patti Googe (Smoking Gun)

Nutcracker on Ice 2008

I have been the photographer for the Ice Chalet and the Nutcracker on Ice for 21 years. A few years ago I started inviting my UT photography students to come to the performances to get photo practice shooting the productions that are extremely beautiful but very difficult to photograph. The stage lighting is constantly changing from very bright white light to very dark colors. Couple that with the tremendous speed of the skaters and you have a real photo challenge on your hands.

Here are a few images from my photo efforts this past week at the Nutcracker on Ice.

Photo Lessons and High School Session

Many of you may not know that in addition to teaching photography at UT and my wedding and family portrait business, I also teach private photography and Adobe Photoshop lessons.

One of my previous UT students, Leslie Gibbs, has been working with me on a private lesson basis off and on for the past year. Last week, her lesson was a couple of environmental sessions of her daughter Brittany and school friends Taylor, Caylor, Raven and Jay and Preston.

In these lessons we worked on balancing the ambient light with fill flash, the use of diffusers and reflectors, posing techniques and of course final enhancements in Photoshop. Obviously, Leslie is progressing very well, I am very proud of her.

Here is a sampling from two recent sessions. Actual photos by Leslie Gibbs

More Winning Images from the Tn Valley Fair Photo Contest

When I requested images from my students who won prizes at the fair last week, David Scott was out of town (some secret governmental spy business, I'm sure) and he did not get my email. He has now sent me his winning entries. As you will see, they are very nice. Great job, Dave.

1st Place - Abstract, Special Effects, Computer-Generated Images

2nd Place - Portratis of Children-Infants through age 12

3rd Place - Candid of Teenager or Older

3rd Place - Candid of Teenager or Older/Black & White or Toned Prints
Here is a winning image from one of my future students who is just now registering for my class

Kat Gorney - 3rd Place Plant World, Flowers

tom

UT Photo Students Take Home the Ribbons

I keep getting more and more information about students who won more and more ribbons. I am adding them as fast as I get them. Please check back to see them all.

The Tennessee Vally Fair in Knoxville has completed their photography contest. Several students emailed me to make sure I knew that several of my previous students had placed very well.

Actually, it appears they did better than placed well, they apparently took home about all they could haul. I am very pleased and proud of all of them. I hope I have not missed anyone, I am just going by the info and images that have been emailed to me. If I missed you, please send your winning images and placement information.

In no particular order, here is what our UT photo students submitted and won. I can't tell you how proud I am of all of them. This should be an inspiration and goal for all new students. You can do it if you try. tom

Ross Ramsey - 1st place Nighttime categoryColby McLemore - 1st Place Color - Landscape
Colby McLemore - 1st Place Color - Candid of Teenage or Older
Colby McLemore - 2nd Place Color - Plant World, flowers
Colby McLemore - 2nd Place B & W and Toned Prints - portrait of teenager or older
Lynn Harrison - 1st Place Insects
Lynn Harrison - 2nd Place Macro
Lynn Harrison - 4th Place Flowers
Randy Sartin 3rd Place - Best of Show
Randy Sartin 4th Place - Special Effects
Randy Sartin 3rd Place - Action
Rebecca Fairbanks - 1st Place B&W Candid Children
Rebecca Fairbanks - 1st Place B&W or Toned Architecture
Rebecca Fairbanks - 1st Place Color Wildlife
Rebecca Fairbanks - 2nd Place Color Nightscape
Rebecca Fairbanks - Color Portrait of Teenager or Older
Colleen Myers - 2nd Place Landscape
Colleen Myers - 1st Place Child 12 and Under - Sevier County Fair
Dee Murphy - 1st Place Skyscape Waiting on Image

David Scott - 2nd Place Portrait of Children Waiting on Image

David Scott - 3rd Place Candid of Teenager or older Waiting on Image

David Scott - 1st Place Abstract Waiting on Image

Lori Douthat - 3rd Place Waterscape
Lori Douthat - 3rd Place Candid of Children
Dale Smith - 2nd Place Photo Decor
Dale Smith - 1st Place Animals, Wildlife, Insects or Pets
Larry Perry - 3rd Place Candid of Children Waiting on Image

Larry Perry - 3rd Place Photo Decor Waiting on Image

Larry Perry - 1st Place Motion Waiting on Image

Larry Perry - 3rd Place Patriotism Waiting on Image

WOW, what a great set of images. tom