Breathtaking scenery, children at play honored at Foto Fest

A husband and wife who snapped photographs of some breathtaking scenery and vistas while on vacation in Italy were selected as semifinalists in a local amateur photography contest this week.

All four semifinalists selected in the third week of the Foto Fest contest were from Jackson. Winners were Al and Brenda Nicolai, Dixie Crites and Patti Birk.

A variety of photographs -- from black-and-white images of buildings to gardens in bloom and children at play -- were submitted in the contest, which is open to residents in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

All 230 entries submitted last week are displayed at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. Several honorable mention photographs are posted online at semissourian.com/fotofest.

The Nicolais spent about two weeks in Italy vacationing and captured what judges said was "the beauty of this exotic place."

Al Nicolai's shot of sunset on the Arno River was full of vibrant color and "the silhouette of the bird completes this beautiful composition," judges said.

Brenda's shot of the coastline at Atrani, Italy, was something that should be used in postcards, judges said.

Dixie Crites snapped a black-and-white picture of the covered bridge at Burfordville that captured judges' attention for its composition.

Crites said she'd been thinking about trying out black-and-white photography and the Foto Fest contest inspired her. "I actually entered a picture of it in color which wasn't as good as the black and white," she said.

Crites said she's always carried her camera with her, but when the contest nears, she tries even harder to find suitable pictures. "It's hard to catch something that's interesting looking," she said.

The action and playfulness of Patti Birk's photograph was priceless, judges said. Birk snapped a picture of Joslyn Mansfield running after the soccer ball while several other children, including Birk's son, Keaton, look on.

All the children were nearly 5 when the picture was taken last fall.

"My husband thought it could be an advertisement for soccer," Birk said.

Judges liked the action and how the photo "captures the joy, focus and innocence of childhood."

Foto Fest is an amateur photography contest sponsored by the Southeast Missourian, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, Schnucks and Kasten Masonry Sales in Jackson.

Entries for the contests must be received by 5 p.m. Friday for consideration in the following week's judging. Entry forms are available at drop-off locations, including Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Marble Hill and Chaffee, Schnucks, Kasten Masonry and the customer service center at the mall.

Forms also are available at www.semssourian.com/fotofest.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126