Brilliant bottles claim grand prize in Foto Fest

The array of bottles and the brilliance of their colors were two of the qualities that led judges to Al Nicolai's winning image in the annual Foto Fest photography contest.

Nicolai's photograph was chosen as the grand prize winner among all entries in the contest. Judges said the photograph had "great clarity and color."

Foto Fest is an annual amateur photography contest sponsored by the Southeast Missourian and Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. During four separate weeks, photographs are judged and four semifinalists chosen.

The 16 semifinalists are then pared down to a grand prize winner and four finalists.

Nicolai said he didn't really expect this photograph to be a grand prize winner. "You never know what is going to be selected, and I enter a couple each week," he said. "I thought my son might beat me out this time."

Nicolai's son, Tim, also had a winning photograph. Two of his photos taken in Brighton, England, were winners in the fourth week of the contest. Tim Nicolai's picture of a fish shop sign juxtaposed next to a wooden boat hull on the pier in Brighton, England, was chosen Monday as a finalist.

Other finalists were Paul Wilson of Jackson who captured a photo of what appeared to be a male and female cardinal kissing; Tracy Satterfield of Kennett, Mo., who snapped a picture of her three sons sitting on a dock at the lake; and Grace Williams of Cape Girardeau who took a picture of her grandson, Drake, sliding down a slide at the St. Louis Zoo.

The winning images, and all other contest entries, are on display at the mall near the Pasta House court. Visitors to the exhibit can select their favorite photograph and enter it in the People's Choice contest.

A People's Choice winner will be announced after Labor Day and allows everyone a chance to vote, said Joyce Hunter, contest coordinator and marketing director at the mall. There is a limit of one entry per person per day, however.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126