2011 North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest winners named
Posted on 9/22/2011
Best of Show winning photo
“Wild Horse Band” by Jen MacLeod
Seven winning photos and five honorable mentions were recently selected in the 2011 North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest.
Winning photographers will receive a $200 cash prize for each winning photo and have their work featured in North Dakota Tourism’s marketing materials, along with even greater exposure through contest partner AAA. A Best of Show photo was selected from the winning photographs, and the photographer received an additional $300 cash prize and a free, one-year basic membership to AAA. Honorable mention winners will receive North Dakota merchandise and may also have their images featured in tourism marketing materials.
Jen MacLeod, Grand Forks, was deemed the Best of Show winner for the photo titled Wild Horse Band, photographed in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
All winners were chosen from more than 660 photo entries in the contest, which kicked off in May.
“This photo contest is a great way for our talented amateur photographers to capture the landscapes, people and places that make North Dakota special,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “The images showcase the state’s wide ranging tourism offerings and unique beauty.”
For the second year, photographers were able to submit photos online through image and video hosting site, Flickr. North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman said this method of submitting a photo was popular.
“More than 540 photos were submitted via Flickr for this year’s contest,” Otte Coleman said. “In addition to this, we also received 120 physical entries.”
Photos were judged on originality, subject matter, visual appeal and ability to portray North Dakota as a legendary travel destination in the categories of events, attractions, people, scenery, wildlife, and outdoor adventure.
The contest is held annually and is open to any North Dakota amateur photographer. Next year’s contest will begin in May 2012. North Dakota Tourism is also hosting monthly theme contests on its flickr group athttp://www.flickr.com/groups/northdakota/.
Winning photos can be seen at the North Dakota Tourism Web site at http://www.ndtourism.com/gallery/list.asp?catID=53.
2011 Governor’s Photo Contest Winners (by category):
Best of Show:
Photographer: Jen MacLeod, Grand Forks
Winning photograph: “Wild Horse Band”
People category
Category winner: “The Hunter” by Tyson Krinke, Rhame
Attraction category
Category winner: “On_A_Slant” by Gordon Weixel, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “Sakakawea at the Capitol” by Stacy High, Bismarck
Scenery category
Category winner: “Frosted Beauty” by Mandy Moore, Minot
Honorable mention: “Fort McKeen” by Gordon Weixel, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “MoonShine!” by Jo Mertes, Mantador
Honorable mention: “Yesterday meets Today” by Tyson Krinke, Rhame
Wildlife category
Category winner: “Wild Horse Band” by Jen MacLeod, Grand Forks
Honorable mention: “Three is a Crowd” by Anna Meidinger, Wishek
Event category
Category winner: “Upside Down” by Jose Medina, Fargo
Adventure category
Category winner: “No coffee shops here!” by Scott Kadlec, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “Shine On” by Megan Dietz, Fargo
Follow North Dakota Tourism on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TravelND or on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/#!/northdakota and get tips on what to see and do all year long.