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COLUMBIA — Trickling waterfalls, vibrant wildlife and happy park users; the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department hoped to capture images of these and more through a photo contest that ended March 1.
The contest, which attracted more than 250 entries, asked photographers to take photos of landscapes or people in Columbia's parks. The contest was divided into five categories: Parks and Recreation Facilities; Trails; Recreation Programs, Sports, Events and Classes; Faces and Activities; and Landscape, Wildlife and Nature.
Contest winners
Grand-Prize Winner
Kelly Smith, 31, Director of Habitat for Humanity in Jefferson City
First-Place Winners
Parks and Recreation Facilities: Randy Hughes, 47, quality technician for JM Eagle
Trails: Lisa Fechter, 41, doctors office manager
Recreation Programs, Sports, Events and Classes: Colleen McDevitt, former Missourian photographer
Landscape, Wildlife and Nature: Rick Hansen, wildlife biologist for U.S. Wildlife Reserve
Faces and Activities: Rhiannon Trask. The Missourian was unable to reach her for comment.
Another contest opportunity
Photo enthusiasts can participate in another city-sponsored photo contest. Columbia Public Transit is hosting a photo contest in honor of the Wabash Station's 100-year-anniversary.
The contest flier states, "We invite all
photographers 18 years and older, both amateur and professional, to
help us celebrate the 100th Anniversary by sharing your best original
photos taken of the historic Wabash Station or of the city buses or
riders."
The contest runs until June 25. Visit the Columbia Public Works Department's Web site for more details.
- Rick Hansen works two jobs for the U.S. Wildlife Reserve: one as a wildlife biologist and the other as a self-titled unofficial photographer. He said his colleagues always ask him to document what they're doing. He shot this first-place Landscape, Wildlife and Nature photo at Fairview Park in 60 degree weather that was just cold enough to slow down the cold-blooded frogs. He said the frogs would have been harder to shoot on a hotter day.
- Randy Hughes, a 47-year-old quality tech for JM Eagle, placed four times in two different categories, including a first place in the Parks and Recreation Facilities category with this photo of the new waterfall at Stephens Lake Park. "As far as nature areas, it’s just so beautiful out there,” he said. “I love landscape photography.”
- Colleen McDevitt, a former Missourian photographer, took this first-place photo for the Recreation Programs, Sports, Events and Classes category. It depicts former Special Olympics intern Cassie Shields winning the heart of Polar Bear Plunge judges with her then fiance, Scott Drochelman. Their teamname, "Taking the Plunge," helped the newly engaged couple win the event at Stephens Lake Park on Valentine's Day 2009.
- Lisa Fechter, a 41-year-old office manager, took this Trails-category photo while walking with her children and dog on the Bear Creek Trail. They go for walks whenever the weather is nice. "I shoot all the time," she said. "If any of the kids stay still long enough, they're always the subjects."
The winners in each category, as well as the grand prize winner, were announced at last week’s Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Kelly Smith, a 31-year-old Jefferson City resident, said her family enjoys visiting Columbia's trails on nice days. She shot the grand prize-winning photo, an image of her husband and son walking near dusk on a bridge on the Hinkson Creek Trail.
"I thought it'd be interesting to see if anyone else enjoyed the picture as much as we do," Smith said.
Randy Hughes, 47, of Columbia said he's going to spend his prize money on a new lens for his Olympus E510. He won $175 cash and a $175 Parks and Recreation gift certificate for his photos. Hughes placed four times in two categories.
Parks department spokeswoman Tammy Miller was pleased but surprised to see so many entries. She said the quality of the photos made it hard for her and the other judges to pick winners.
“It was an enjoyable process but a difficult one," Miller said.
The photos will be used on the city's Parks and Recreation website and in promotional materials, Becky Stidham of the department said. Participants retain ownership of their pictures and will be credited whenever they're used.
The contest, which was held to celebrate 60 years of "Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs," was sponsored by the Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs, Grindstone Digital Imaging, Creative Photo, Deck the Walls and the Activity & Recreation Center.
The department expects to host another contest next year.
For additional photos and winners, go to the Parks and Recreation's contest Web page.
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Comments
Well done Parks & Rec. What a great bunch of photos. Judges sure did have their hands full picking from these.