Second year in a row, I decided to risk entering some photo prints into the Tulare County Fair. Last year’s surprising and unexpected success (2010 Fair Results) both encouraged me yet made me wonder if I wanted to push my luck. After dropping off the prints and seeing many of the others already hung, I again questioned my sanity – there were a lot of excellent entries. I felt sorry for the judges that had to make tough decisions.
Various friends said the prints did well but only hinted at the results. A busy schedule prevented Barbara and I going to the fair until the last day (a quick trip Sunday after church). Again, I was very pleased at the results. Of the 9 entries, there were 4 First places (including Best of Show), 2 Seconds, 1 Third and 2 Fourth place ribbons.
Several have asked that I show the photos and a little about them – so here goes:
Best of Show
A VERY NICE SURPRISE – Best of Show
Storm Over Red Rock Canyon (Click on photo for link to full size image)
Sometimes luck has a lot to do with getting an image like this and the others taken on that day. Last February I had arrived after Midnight Friday night into Las Vegas for the WPPI Convention and Trade Show. Travel had been slow due to snow and traffic. I had never been to the photogenic Red Rock Canyon just outside Las Vegas nor the prettier Valley of Fire about an hour north. Since I was only going to the Trade Show on Monday-Tuesday, I had slotted Saturday and Sunday for taking local photos.
Since it was storming and I was beat, I slept in Saturday morning instead of the obligatory sunrise trip for best light. After breakfast, decided to see how close my 18 year old Nissan Sentra could get to Red Rock Canyon. After all, it is not 4WD nor did I have any chains.
Roads were clear but the weather looked to be closing in again. I hurriedly walked some trails and took some so-so snaps. Without people in them for scale, the impressive formations just were not impressive in camera. About half way through the loop I made another hopeful stop in a turnout. The wind was really starting to blow so I had to hold the tripod to not only keep it still but to keep it upright. About then I wished I had invested in gloves – you know the kind with some finger tips exposed to push buttons.
I’d like to make you think I was suffering – but the storm brewing before me was so exciting (big WOW factor) that I knew this was one of those rare moments every photographer dreams about. I kept clicking until the sleet started to hurt – then retreated to the car. The best images came from that stop.
Those are not dust spots on the lens – it is snowing on me. (Click on image for larger view)
More on this special day on an earlier Blog: Red Rock Canyon
Gallery of other photos from this day: Red Rock Canyon
Its getting late so I’ll post about other images in the competition tomorrow.
