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Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Results of Tops in Connecticut 2018 Judging

The Tops in CT 2018 judging is complete. We received 734 images from 125 Connecticut photographers, a record participation. Of the 734 images, 101 were accepted into the show including 13 award winning images. The 101 accepted photographs will be organized into the "Tops in Connecticut 2018" program to be shown at the CAP Dinner on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT 06517. This will be the only time to view the photographs and hear the commentary on this exceptional work by Connecticut photographers. Judging from the quality of the images selected it will be an outstanding show. Additional details about the dinner will be distributed via e-mail and on this blog closer to the date of the dinner. Be sure to put April 6th on your new 2019 calendar to save the date.

Judges

We had three outstanding judges: Deborah Lea Cohen, Stephen E. Morton, and Ron Wyatt.

Deborah Lea Cohen. She received artistic training at the HS of Music and Art in NYC, but chose not to pursue art as a career. However, expressing herself through the arts has always been important to her. Approximately 15 years ago she started photographing in earnest. For the first several years street photography was her passion which then expanded to abandoned places. After attending several workshops she added nature, landscapes, and macro to her repertoire. Her photography continues to be shown in group exhibits with the Westchester Photographic Society throughout Westchester County and in the Empire State Building as well as several successful solo shows in the Ossining Public Library and Croton-on-Hudson Public Library. In 2016, she judged for the CAP Invitational and is proud to be invited back.

Stephen E. Morton. Over the years, Stephen has developed a rich portfolio of images covering a broad range of subject matter.  He has created countless commercial images that were utilized by magazines, newspapers, corporations, and government agencies.  In addition, he has continuously expanded his collection of fine-art images, as this is his true passion and what drives his ongoing desire to grow as an artist. Stephen’s unique captures of flowers, classic cars, fireworks and environmental portraiture demonstrates his passion for diverse art.

Stephen is also an established fine-art body paint artist.  He creates incredible works by first applying his distinct painting techniques to the human canvas, and then leveraging his vast knowledge of lighting and composition to capture abstract poses for his final images. Stephen believes he is truly blessed possessing skills that allows him to both follow his passion and have a career, something that few people are ever successful in achieving.  Over the years he received many awards for his outstanding photography, while enjoying the personal satisfaction of selling his fine-art images around the country. His photographic work has been shown in numerous galleries over the years, including the Hudson River Museum, Gallery 66, and the OAC Gallery. 

Ron Wyatt. His first experience with photography was the unsuccessful photo documentation of his honeymoon. Armed with a borrowed Instamatic camera he learned that camera shake does not produce great photos. 

Ron, a self-taught photographer, has covered the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball and photographed two Summer Olympic Games. His photos have appeared in various publications including: USA Today, Black Enterprise Magazine, Time Magazine, Newsweek, TV Guide, ESPN, and others. He has also covered corporate assignments for, Six Flags, Eastman Kodak, Continental Airlines, CVS, Pepsico, Verizon and many others. His Photography has allowed him to travel to various parts of the world.

Award Winning Photographs

From the 101 accepted photographs the judges chose 13 award winning images: one best in show, nine best of... images, and three judges choice images, one by each judge.

Best in Show ~ "Hand-warmer" by Erik Landegren 
Best Cityscape ~ "Rain Lights Reflection" by Tom Cuchara
Best Creative ~ "I'm Out of Here" by Erik Landegren
Best Landscape ~ "Sunset Congregation" by Melanie Bradley
Best Monochrome ~ "Once Upon a Time" by Anne Eigen
Best Nature ~ "Mine!" by Sandy Schill
Best Photojournalism ~ "Her Fifth Avenue" by Megan Crandlemire
Best Portrait ~ "Unwilling" by Lisa Cuchara
Best Seascape ~ "Rocks and Mountains" by Simmie Reagor
Best Travel ~ "Myanmar Monk and Candles" by William Barnett
Judges Choice: Deborah Cohen ~ "Ghost Writer" by Rick Tyrseck
Judges Choice: Steve Morton ~ "The Heavy Lightness of Sleep" by Sue Fenton
Judges Choice: Ron Wyatt ~ "Piazza of St. Francis Basilica" by C. Peter Chow