First photo winners announced

Judges for the 2004 Foto Fest had a difficult time narrowing the more than 200 photos entries down to the four semifinalists, Al Nicolai and Paul Wilson of Jackson, Tracy Satterfield of Kennett, Mo., and Nancy Mueller of Cape Girardeau.

The photos the panel chose included candid shots of children and family, nature photos caught with unusual clarity and vacation pictures from far-away locations.

Nicolai's picture, taken in Italy, of brightly colored glass bottles was chosen for the symmetry of the bottles. Judges commented that the photographer had an excellent eye.

"They were sitting on a shelf in front of a store," Nicolai said, "and the photo just called my name."

Wilson's close-up of two birds that almost look as if they are kissing was chosen because judges were impressed by the excellent focus and depth of field.

"I was just sitting at my desk," Wilson said. "The female landed and then the male, and it was just a split second before they left."

Satterfield's photo of her three sons enjoying a peaceful moment last summer on a local dock stood out because the judges liked the friendship shown in the photo and the idea of brothers enjoying each other on a carefree day.

"I just let them play, and the little one leaned on his brother," Satterfield said.

Mueller's photo of her parents walking in Dennis Scivally Park was also chosen for the emotion and human interest it evoked.

"We should all be so lucky," one judge said, "to walk hand in hand toward the end of our lives."

Mueller took the photo last fall, in honor of her parents' 55th wedding anniversary and entered it because she thought it was unusual. Being a semifinalist is particularly an honor, Mueller said, because her father died a month ago.

The winning photos, and those that received honorable mention, will be posted on the Southeast Missourian Web site, and all of the photos that have been judged will be displayed at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park.

New contestants and past contestants may enter new photos, or re-enter past photos that haven't won, until Friday for the second week of the contest.

Entries for the second week of the contest can be dropped off at the customer service center in Westfield Shoppingtown West Park or at the Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Chaffee or Marble Hill.

dfarley@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 226