Did I just hear my name?

Growing up I couldn't win a prize at a "Win Everytime" carnival game. For some reason I have never been granted with a great amount of luck, or athleticism, or genious, or stunning good looks...this list could go on and on.

But knowing this I still chose to enter in a photograph, that I took a few weeks back, into my college's 2011 artshow. Here's the image I submitted:

©2011 JScott Image and Design

This was an open themed contest meaning you could submit just about anything you wanted, in just about any medium (photograph, painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.) as long as it was yours and wasn't offensive; those were about the two main criteria.

I had never even entered into an artshow before, let alone won anything in any of them. That is why having a print of mine receive a top honor in this show, that I literally snuck into at the last minute, is not only exciting but also very satisfying at the same time! The image (which I hope shows up in this blog post--give me a break, this is only my 2nd blog ever!) received "Honored Distinction" and was awarded the Applied Science and Technology Award.

There were many great pieces submitted, especially the photography. There were many better and more creative pieces submitted in my opinion. And certainly there were better and more creative artists that submitted work; I can't even imagine having the task of judging all of the works submitted.

Knowing what you know about me after reading the first paragraph, the idea of entering into a contest--let alone something that I would have to be somewhat passionate about like a photograph--is a very daunting task to begin with. And then add in a few variables like:

• the fact that I don't usually take "artsy" photographs;
• I'm competing not only against other photographs but other mediums of art;
• and that I never have luck at winning anything;

I think it may be getting a little easier to understand why I am still in shock about hearing my name being called tonight.

I mentioned earlier that I "snuck" this piece in. Now while I didn't necessarily crawl in through any locked windows or doors, I certainly didn't jump right on this project (refer back to paragraph #1) and put it off until the day before the submission was due. My fault, I know, I know.

But I will say, in the end, it was all worth it!

And let me give credit where credit is due. I may have taken the picture, designed it up and submitted it but behind every great photographer--and his photographs--is an even greater wife! And my wife is no different! Without her love and unwavering support of my passion for photography none of this is possible!