2020 Dorothy Ralph Essay Competition
This annual competition began in 1997 and is held in honor and memory of Dorothy Ralph. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Science Museum Camera Club who bequeathed a Hummel figurine of a photographer to the club. The figurine was mounted on the trophy that is awarded to the competition winner to keep for one year. All of the winners’ names, and year awarded, are engraved on the trophy base. When the trophy is returned, a keeper award is given.
And the Winner is...
Comments from the Judge Tim Grey
The "Forget-Me-Not" photo essay quite simply exhibits beautiful photography. The images are well-composed, and employ narrow depth of field and other techniques that add beauty and intrigue to the images. Perhaps more importantly, however, is that all of the photos in this essay strongly support the stated theme for the essay. In effect, the written description of the photo essay put words to what a viewer would likely already perceive from the photos, even if that perception were only subconscious. The textures, patterns, subtle colors, and other elements translate to excellent photos. The thematic concept only adds to the impact of the photo essay, which was executed very well. Thank you for representing the difficult journey of dementia with beauty and grace.
Forget-me-not by Cheryl Belczak
I photograph tiny forget-me-not flowers as a metaphor for memories during the progression of dementia.
Various techniques allow me to highlight different stages, details and surroundings to represent changing perceptions and fleeting access to memories. Using images that are conventionally considered flawed is intentional because the "flaws" are an important part of this message.
In these images I hope to share with you the tension between longing for the details that are lost and appreciating the treasure of what remains.
Music: "Great Expectations" by Kai Engel
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Satin_1564/Kai_Engel_-_Satin_-_05_Great_Expectations_1199
“I will lift up my eyes” by Mary Lou Frost
This year the Covid-19 limitations have caused me to miss the wide view that my eyes have been able to take with travel and photography. I need that wider view. I have searched through my image catalogs to remind me of the beauty and inspiration that lies beyond the walls of my home. I am sharing these views through my essay.
Warplanes as Works of Art by Jeffrey Hayward
As a photographer operating in the visual world, I find the styling of warplanes, such as the P-51 Mustang and others, to be so aesthetically pleasing as to consider them to be works of art. While notable for the historical and engineering accomplishments from which they can never be separated, these planes, with their sense of speed and imposing presence, are so striking in their appearance as to evoke strong emotional responses of awe and excitement.
Join me now as the marvel of photography allows us to take to the air along side these magnificent warbirds where we can enjoy the spectacle of their flight and the power and beauty of their presentation.
Music: "Creative Minds" from https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Covid Sky by Patricia Jaramillo
When I was thinking about what to base my photo essay on this year, I kept coming back to what subject I was taking a lot of photos. It turns out the sky. One night late at work, I looked up and a whole new world opened up for me. Just with my 125x optical zoom camera, I was able to see so much like Venus, Jupiter, Mars and the Earth’s Moon. Besides our sky on earth, I was able to see beyond into space. Mars this year is approximately 38.6 million miles away from earth and I could see how red it is through my camera. I hope you enjoy how diverse our sky can be which I am calling this year “Covid Sky.” I have found it exhilarating, amazing, and humbling on how big our universe is and the coronavirus in the scheme of the universe will also pass into history. It will be a speck in the continuum of time and we will be ok.
Finding Beauty in Simple Things by Bob Kaderabeck
Purpose: To show that many common, often overlooked things, can be artistic and beautiful in their own way when keenly observed and presented.
Here are 20 very different subjects that illustrate this point.
Elements of Design by Ernie Yu
In the realm of photo arts, what are pleasing visually are the elements that create a design. Fundamental elements like colors, shapes, contrast, lines, spaces, textures, unity/harmony. All these vital ingredients are used as building blocks of my attempt to create an assortment of designs in my photo essay.
Background piano music played live by a maestro-friend.