This weekend, the annual Academy Awards will be announced at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and the iconic Oscar statuettes will be handed out amidst much applause and tears.
For every Hollywood artist, an Oscar represents the pinnacle of achievement. For scientists, it’s the Nobel Prize and in literature, the Man Booker Prize. They appeal to a fundamental human insight: to be the very best in some aspect of our lives. These awards inspire and encourage us to reflect on the things that have entertained us over the past year, to consider the effect these individuals have made on society and what we might aspire to become.
In 1985, Kodak introduced the Gallery Awards as a way to honor, promote and celebrate the importance and value of excellence in professional photography. Kodak, and now Kodak Alaris, has always represented quality imaging through its many products and services and will continue its work to elevate the importance of exceptional professional imaging within the industry.
Across the United States, more than 300 Gallery Award submissions are entered and judged each year at annual Professional Photographers of America (PPA) district and state affiliate print competition conventions. Awards are judged on a regional and state basis with winners going on to compete at the national level for the Gallery Elite Award, Kodak Alaris’ highest honor which showcases the “Best of the Best“. The Elite Awards feature a Grand Prize winner as well as second, third and fourth place designations. The four winning photographs are displayed in the Kodak Alaris booth at Imaging USA, the National PPA convention.
Since its inception, hundreds of professional photographers have won the Gallery Award Trilon, a crystal trophy commemorating the award. But it’s about more than a trophy for many photographers. It’s the recognition of hard work, creative vision and the knowledge that others are as passionate about their craft as they are.
Professional wedding and portrait photographers are by profession and passion part artist, historian and archivist. They capture and preserve moments of visual history. Moments in people’s lives and in nature’s working that will never occur again in the same way. The professional photographer has the power to create not only a photo, but an everlasting feeling.
It is because of these individuals and the work they do that we once again salute and support outstanding professional photography and photographers. This year we celebrate the talent, creative vision and professionalism of four outstanding photographers
The winners of the 28th Annual KODAK Gallery Elite Award are:
- Grand Prize: Ben Shirk, Shirk Photography, Wilton, Iowa for “When the Music Ends”, printed by WHCC
- 2nd Place: Ken Martin, Ken Martin Photography, De Pere, WI for “Nature’s Palette”, printed by Pechman Color
- 3rd Place: Robin Swanson, Robin Swanson Photography, La Canada, CA for “A Moment to Dream”, printed by Bay Photo
- 4th Place: David Humphrey, Masters Photographic, LLC, Flint, MI for “Tree of Life”, printed by JD Photo Imaging
We invite you to visit the KODAK Gallery Elite Award: Winners Showcase to learn more about these photographers and see their inspiring images. Over the next few weeks all of the state and regional Gallery Award winners from 2013 will also be featured on the Winners Showcase so check back again soon.
1000 Words Blog 