Tropical Storm Andrea blew herself out of New Jersey just in the nick of time! Happily, that meteorological coincidence set a sunny stage for the Great Swamp Watershed Association’s much-anticipated Essence of Primrose Photo Contest on June 8, 2013.
More than 20 individual photographers, along with a host of parents, partners, and other impropmtu artistic assistants, descended on Primrose Farm to join in the day-long event aimed at capturing that one picture capable of saying 1,000 words about the newest piece of preserved open space in New Jersey’s Harding Township.
Although competition was fierce in all three photographer age groups —13-and-under, 14-to-22, and 22-and-over — a panel of expert judges handpicked three submissions to take home top honors.
Each of the three winning photos is a true work of art.
Among those 22 and over, Michelle Hacker of Belcamp, Maryland, took the judges’ collective breath away with her gorgeous, sepia-toned landscape, titled “Vintage Meadow,” taken under the sheltering limbs of Primrose Farm’s most distinctive oak tree.
“Vintage Meadow,” by Michelle Hacker, Belcamp, MD.
Copyright ©2013 Great Swamp Watershed Association.
Among the 14-to-22-year-old contestants, Peri Levine of Bedminster, NJ, demonstrated a true facility and passion for wildlife photography with her snap of a perching dragonfly.
“Untitled,” by Peri Levine, Bedminster, NJ.
Copyright ©2013 Great Swamp Watershed Association.
Among the 13-and-under crowd, Ashleigh Scully of Morristown, NJ, took first place with her photo, “Dawn at Primrose Farm.”
“Dawn at Primrose Farm,” by Ashleigh Scully, Morristown, NJ.
Copyright ©2013 Great Swamp Watershed Association.
All three photo contest winners received a gift certificate for $25 from Mpix.com. Each winner will also receive a full-size, framed print of their winning submission courtesy of our contest sponsors at Madison PhotoPlus (Madison, NJ) and The Image Maker Studio (Mendham, NJ).
Before the framed prints are turned over to our winners, they will hang for one month in a place of distinction at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center (EEC) located at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge, NJ. Stop by and have a look!
Although she was ever-so-slightly edged out of a victory in the 14-to-22-year-old age group, contestant Laurel Monks of Chatham Borough, NJ, received a very special honorable mention. She will not receive a gift certificate or a framed print, but her magnificently composed photo, “Twisting Through Time,” will become the mascot for the Great Swamp Watershed Association’s 2013 Gala Celebration. This year’s gala will take place on Thursday, October 3, at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown.
“Twisting Through Time,” by Laurel Monks, Chatham, NJ. Copyright ©2013 Great Swamp Watershed Association.
All of the submissions made to the Essence of Primrose Photo Contest are available for review on the Great Swamp Watershed Association’s official Flickr page located at flickr.com/GSWA. This site also includes photos of Primrose Farm landscapes and widlife taken by GSWA volunteers and staff members. Enjoy!
