Photos tell stories

The 30th annual Texas Bank and Trust Photography Exhibition and Awards Reception featured 589 entries submitted by 146 East Texas photographers, both amateur and professional. Commencing with a reception in the bank’s lobby on Whaley Street, the exhibition was a two-week extravaganza of beautiful graphic art. Winning photographers received cash prizes for their work in four categories: Fine Art, Human Interest, Landscape, and Nature. There were also the Chairman’s Award, the President’s Award, the Christmas Card Award, the OMNIClub Birthday Card Award, and Best of Show. This year there was also a new, special category–Spirit of Texas.

The bank will feature the winning photos in its 2013 Texas Bank and Trust Collector’s Calendar. By serving as judge, Eric Draper selected the photos for this calendar. Draper served as President George W. Bush’s special assistant and chief photographer. He believes all the photographers who entered the contest should have a lot to be proud of because of their work’s endless diversity and composition. He used such words as “cute, iconic, wonderful image, wonderfully technically executed, beautiful, very striking, very photographic, looks like a painting and eye-catching” to describe the entries.

Texas Bank and Trust Marketing Director Karen Partee expressed her excited enthusiasm for the event.

“We have returning and new photographers entering this year’s contest,” she said. “We had hoped for a great contest and crowd, and it turned out to exceed our expectations with 589 entrees compared to 500 the previous year. This is a great success.”

Lisa Richardson only took up photography six years ago, but earned the Chairman’s Award and Best of Show by taking both 1st and 2nd places in the Spirit of Texas category.

Dr. John Petty’s River Otter took first in the Nature category. He sees photography as an enjoyable challenge.

“I like to take on things where I can grow,” he said. “Besides, photography is stress-relieving.”

Internist Dr. Sreeman Jampana oversees a full-time medical practice, but still finds time for his photography. Despite limited time to work with his cameras, he won a third place and honorable mention in the Fine Arts and Nature categories.

Chrysalyn Barnes was delighted to win first place in the Human Interest category.

Texas Bank and Trust served punch and snacks to the photographers and their family and friends. Still, those in attendance found the gallery of photographs the main and most enjoyable attraction.

This pictorial tribute to life in East Texas will remain on display in the bank’s lobby at 300 East Whaley until Thursday, July 12. Voters may pick up ballots for the Peoples’ Choice Award until the exhibit closes. The winner will be announced Monday, July 16.

 

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

 

Fine Art

 

Dr. Sreeman Jampana – Honorable Mention for Colorful Sensation

 

Dale Lindenberg – Honorable Mention for Poppies

 

Jim Mitchell – Honorable Mention for Illusion

 

Jessica Peterson – Honorable Mention for Heart of the Hibiscus

Ben Fieblekorn – Third Place for Josie

 

Jimmy Salmon – Second Place for Grapes from Larry & Susan’s Vineyard

 

John Wrather – First Place for Pink

 

 

Human Interest

 

Mary White-Edwards – Honorable Mention for Trinket Seller

 

Bonnie Venable – Honorable Mention for A Moment of Sweetness

Jessica Barron – Honorable Mention for Here’s Looking at Ya

 

Bruce Taylor – Honorable Mention for Horse Whisperer

 

Ned Smith – Honorable Mention for Gato y Gato

 

Bryan Boyd – Third Place for Best Friends

 

Brittani Milford – Second Place for Barefoot

 

Chrysalyn Barnes – First Place for Time of Life

 

Landscape

 

John Wrather – Honorable Mention for The Storm

 

Dave Bennett – Honorable Mention for Blue Bonnet Church Yard

Don Fincher – Honorable Mention for Caddo Lake Sunset

 

Karen McAlister – Honorable Mention for Four of a Kind

 

Clark Langley – Third Place for Sunset

 

Richard Laughlin – Second Place for The Narrow Road

 

Dale Lindenberg – First Place for Caddo Lake- Fog

 

Nature

 

Kristi Thomas – Honorable Mention for Nature’s Symmetry

 

Deb Germain – Honorable Mention for It’s a Good Life

 

Elizabeth Greene – Honorable Mention for East Texas Red Foxes, Mama and Cub

 

Dale Lindenberg – Honorable Mention for Squirrels

 

J. R. Lingle – Honorable Mention for Scarlet Plant Eater

 

Dr. Sreeman Jampana – Third Place for Immeasurable Beauties

 

Andrea Simonton – Second Place for Drops

 

Dr. John E. Petty – First Place for River Otter

 

Spirit of Texas

 

N. Campbell Cox – Honorable Mention for Honoring Who Gave All

 

Ken Millett – Honorable Mention for Welcome Back to Sandy

Karen White – Honorable Mention for Texas Pride

 

Karen White – Honorable Mention for Rafter G Bronc

 

Mary White-Edwards – Third Place for Texas Sunflowers

 

Lisa Richardson – Second Place for Cowboys

 

Lisa Richardson – First Place for Rodeo Star

 

 

Human Interest

 

Karen White – Christmas Card Award for Winter Coats

 

Spirit of Texas

 

Donna Reader – OMNIClub Birthday Card Award for A Blast from the Past

 

Glenda Derveloy – President’s Award for The Alamo

 

Lisa Richardson – Chairman’s Award for Cowboys

 

Lisa Richardson – Best of Show for Rodeo Star