Italian vista garners top prize for Foto Fest contest

Selecting a grand prize winner and six finalists in the Foto Fest contest became simple this week, at least in terms of numbers.

The judges only had to select seven winners this week from 24 semifinalists, while in previous weeks they had to choose four from as many as 250 entries.

Al Nicolai's photograph of a sunset on the Arno River in Florence, Italy, was chosen as the grand prize winner. Judges liked its peaceful, gorgeous view. One judge said, "I wish I was there."

Along with the grand prize, six finalist prizes also were awarded. Only a People's Choice Award remains to be determined.

The six-week contest was open to amateur photographers in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. It was sponsored by the Southeast Missourian, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, Schnucks and Kasten Masonry Sales in Jackson.

All the photographs will be on display through Sept. 15 at Westfield Shoppingtown.

People can visit the display at the mall to choose their favorite photograph from all those submitted during the course of the contest. Ballots for the People's Choice Award will be available at the display to vote for a favorite photograph.

The display gives people a "more dramatic displaying of area talent," said Joyce Hunter, contest coordinator for Westfield Shoppingtown.

Finalists were Brenda Nicolai, Doug Lincoln, Laura Ritter, Dennis Vollink, Linda Kremer and Christine Stevens.

Brenda Nicolai also shot a scenic picture of the coastline in Atrani, Italy, when she and her husband, Al, vacationed there.

Lincoln's photograph of the L'Eure River in Chartres, France, was "very serene," judges said. His picture also was taken while on vacation.

Ritter's photograph of sunset on a Hawaiian beach in Maui did a good job of "capturing shadows and light," a judge said.

Other winning photographs were taken much closer to home.

Vollink shot an "amazing" photograph of a bee in flight in his back yard that captured judges' attention.

Kremer's photograph of her family pet had multiple elements of creative photography, a judge said. "It has good color and shows emotion in a creative" way that is somewhat difficult to capture with animals. Another judge said "this photo is just a slice of Americana."

Judges also liked the picture taken by Christine Stevens of her son, Trey, and his dog as they climbed a set of stairs to the family's Chaffee home because it was "simple but appealing."

For more information about Foto Fest, visit www.semissourian.com/fotofest.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126