Oh, and speaking of the Fair

I submitted photos to the photography contest again this year.  I tried one new category (night scene) and repeated in two other categories (architectural and portrait). 

 

My architectural submission was the Space Needle.  It received an Honorable Mention ribbon.

 

 

And my night scene submission was also from Seattle.  This picture received a third place ribbon.

 

I actually printed this photo for my house at 20x30 and purchased the frame while it was 50% off at Craft Warehouse. I just need to get it matted and into the frame, but blown up to that size, it looks incredible. 

 

I do have to say, the judging was very off this year. I'm not trying to be a sore loser at all, but pictures I would have picked as clear winners didn't ribbon at all, and ones that were picked as winners certainly would have never caught my eye. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but something was just totally off this year.  I did learn a lesson or two, which will be put into practice next year for my submissions!

A Pat on the Back

I interrupt your regularly scheduled programming so that I may take a moment to brag.....about myself. That's right. I don't often take big chances in life.  I will take that leap if I'm pretty sure of the outcome, and this was one of those times.

I was talked into entering some photos at the Western Idaho Fair this year.  Not something I would normally do, but hey, I thrive on competing and figured it was time to see how my stuff did.  So I went down and entered my photos - I chose the professional category because I fit within the parameters.  One photo that I knew would place was my bridge picture.  I haven't met a person who doesn't like it.  My brother had it framed in his house.  My parents have it framed in their house.  And I have a huge print of it framed in my house.  It's awesome....if I do say so, myself.  ;)

So when I went down yesterday to place my business card on my photos for some free advertising while the fair is going on, I noticed a shiny ribbon hanging from my lovely bridge picture.  A red ribbon, signifying I had earned second place.  Second place!!!  Out of all the people in the state who entered their photos in the specific category, I won second!  I stood there, pretty shocked....and yes, I cried.  I think people were wondering if I was okay because it's just a photo, ya know.  ;)  So I snapped a quick picture with my phone and skipped off, back to work.  Here is the phone pic......we're going back on Monday with Carter for family day, so I will take more formal pictures and post them later.