One of the most difficult and rewarding experiences we have at Missouri Life is to pick the winners of our photo contest. Not only does our state have an abundant array of photo material—endless, if you ask us—but we also have an amazing bunch of photographers. Catching that moment in time is difficult, and the expanse of good photography is gratifying.
Fun
Believe it … winter is packed with activities as depicted by two of our winners in the “Fun” category. But we can’t discount those summer moments, the best time to see your favorite sports team in action.
1st PLACE
CATHY VOLNER, St. James
A frozen waterfall on Cathy Volner’s Phelps County property captured her attention in January 2018. Cathy’s daughter Caroline tried to break off a big piece but couldn’t quite reach it.
This photo’s perfect composition and focus made it a winner.
2nd PLACE
SUSAN CLAUSS, St. Louis
Crowds turn out for the fun and excitement of sledding on everyone’s favorite slope, Forest Park’s Art Hill in St. Louis.
he use of black-and-white contrast gives a sense of depth that makes this photo seem timeless. It looks simple, but the dimensions are really complicated.
3rd PLACE
DENISE EVANS, St. Louis
And it’s a home run as St. Louis Cardinals fans Connor and Zella Dervin celebrate.
A well-composed photograph captures the moment of excitement and love.
Lifestyle
A lifestyle moment in Missouri could be anything. Readers submitted photos that depicted lifestyles on the water, on the farm, and in faith.
1st PLACE
JACLYN DALBEY, Kansas City
The Cannonball Roarers, a screening collective that showcases movies in unusual venues, projected a film onto the sail of a boat for folks to watch from the waters of Lake Jacomo.
This winner’s creative low angle brings both the green light and the film’s projection onto the sail into view just as the sail and the boat are bathed in golden light.
2nd PLACE
JANE HERTWIG, Lincoln
This photo of a Missouri Century Farm south of Concordia is titled 100 Years of God’s Grace.
The photographer’s alert eye spotted these stunning cloud formations above a pastoral Missouri farm, making a pleasing scene.
3rd PLACE
JOHN BROKER, Pasadena, CA
Spirit is the name Lohman native John Broker gave to this photo of Chapel of the Ozarks at Top of the Rock in Branson.
The sunlight coming through the church steeple, photographed at the exact right moment, delivers a multilayered spiritual message.
Nature
We received an astounding number of photographs showcasing moments in nature. This category easily could have several subcategories of its own. Aside from a beautiful shot of the galaxy, the animals ruled these moments. Capturing wildlife images is hard enough, but getting shots of several animals together is an amazing feat.
1st PLACE
ALEC PETTUS, Columbia
The stars come out over Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in McBaine.
This winning image caught the celestial show in the sky, projecting the subtle colors of a Missouri night onto the water.
2nd PLACE
2nd PLACEDEANNA WOLFF, Linn Creek
Deanna Wolf calls this photo Turtles Tanning at Ha Ha Tonka.
An appealing image combines focus and depth of field with warm colors and shell patterns, plus a bit of luck catching the moment when all the turtles are looking skyward.
3rd PLACE
MARK RAMSEY, Bynumville
A Chariton County farm was the setting for this tense scene. “As the deer began coming out, I could tell they were getting nervous,” says Mark Ramsey. Then he saw the coyote. “A predator and prey in the same shot might be pretty cool … and it was.”
A rare moment in time, captured with focus and composition, shows the photographer’s skill.
Honorable Mentions
BOB IRISH, Boonville
Bob Irish took this photo of downtown Columbia.
ANN WIDNER, St. Louis
Ann Widner took this photo at Shaw Nature Reserve and titled it, “Missouri Woods.”
CHAD STRUCKMANN
Chad Struckmann captured this photo from down on the farm.
