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Best of Delaware Print Competition


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.✉ Susan Peter·		 The Best of Delaware Print Competition is an annual free activity in memory of Dr. Erik Kissa. The first event took place in 2018, sponsored by PSA and hosted by Coastal Camera Club. The 2020 competition will be part of a 'Day of Photography' in Lewes.  

Because of the State of Delaware and the city of Lewes guidance in dealing with Coronavirus, "A Day of Photography Inspiration and Education," including the 2020 "Best of DE" large print competition, is postponed until August 29 at the same location. 

Any further update will be posted here. 
Erik Kissa, FPSA, MPSA
April 7, 1923-July 11, 2017

All PSA members living in DE, or those planning to join PSA that day, can bring up to three large prints (max 16X20) to vie for the Erik Kissa Memorial Award, a PSA Gold medal.  Members, as well as non-members, are also invited to enter small prints (max 8.5X12) to be judged that day by the same jury, but submitted no later than March 23.  For details, go to  http://www.forster-services.com/DelawarePrintExhibition2020.html  The event at Lewes Presbyterian Church, 133 Kings Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958 will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with two Keynote programs in the morning, a lunch break from 12:30 till 2 p.m., followed by the print competitions. Local restaurants will be open, and tables will be provided for those who prefer to bring lunch.

 
Check in for the "Best of DE" entries will be from 9 to 9:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 2 p.m. The contest judges will be successful PSA exhibitors Margaret Hennes, PPSA, from Kennett Square PA and Richard Sprott, APSA, from Potomac MD, along with the featured speaker Nikhil Bahl, a professional photographer, author, educator, workshop instructor and environmentalist from the Washington D.C. area. Drawing inspiration from nature, he adopts novel approaches and seeks meaningful interpretations to create photographs that transcend the commonplace, reflect deeper insights, and convey an enchantment of the subject's beauty. As a volunteer with the National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, he documents wildlife behaviors and habitats with the goal of portraying environmental stories with an artistic appeal, to educate and motivate about conservation.  Each year he also leads several photography tours and instructional workshops in the United States and abroad, and speaks at photography clubs, expos and industry events.   His articles on the creative and technical aspects of photography have been published, including his eBook, Creative Interpretations.  His work has been exhibited in the Washington metropolitan area, is part of private collections, and can be seen at http://www.nikhilbahl.com/photography_portfolios_gallery.html
 
Although there is no fee for the PSA Best of DE Print Competition, there is a suggested donation of $5 toward the costs of the program.  Those presentations are as follows:  
 
Photographic Voice and Vision
Every photographer should think about how they can find their photographic voice. Once a photographer has found their voice they can then start to develop their vision. It takes time, but both of these aspects are essential to the growth of any photographer. Nikhil will define photographic voice and vision and share his thoughts on how you can develop your photography to speak about who you are as a photographer and what you want to express. This presentation will help you to think about your photography more deeply.
 
Photographic Impact
As photographers, when we are inspired by a subject, we are driven to photograph it. We use different approaches and techniques to interpret the subject, all with the final goal of creating images that have photographic impact. That impact could be visual, emotional or both. In this presentation, Nikhil will break down the photographic process and share his thoughts on how you can take control of your photography and create more meaningful and personal images. He will also share how these personal interpretations can and will have more photographic impact that will engage the viewer beyond the average photograph.
 
This "Day of Photography" is open to anyone who would like to attend.  Invite everyone you know who might be interested.

Please select the link, below, to reveal past photos and winners from the competition
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  • 2019 Best of Delaware Print Competition - Awards and Photos from the Event

    The 2019 Erik Kissa Memorial Medal, a PSA Gold, was awarded to Jerry am Ende in the second annual Best of Delaware print competition.  Open to all PSA members living in the state of Delaware, the free event was held on April 27 in Lewes DE. The winning print of a snowy egret displaying full breeding plumage is entitled "Marilyn Monroe," a humorous reference to an iconic photo of MM.  PSA Honor Ribbons were awarded to "Red Fox Kits Play" also by Jerry, "Look At Us!" by Tom Lovatt, and "The Matriarch’s Gaze" by Peggy Udinski.  

    The late Dr. Kissa, MPSA, the previous State Membership Director, was a 49-year member of PSA, a Journal columnist and active as an exhibitor and teacher for many years.  To honor his belief that the real value of competition is as a learning tool, the judging was followed by an interactive critique involving the the observers and the participants,  The jurors, Dianne Carnegie, Elkton MD; Robin Harrison, Ocean City MD and Tom Tauber, MPSA, Lansdowne PA, brought valued perspectives as successful photographers and experienced printers.

    To familiarize attendees with the category of Photo Travel and to encourage future participation, the results of the First Delaware Print Exhibition judged by Dee Langevin, MPSA, Valentina Sokolskaya, PPSA, and Tom Tauber, MPSA were also on display.  Hosted by Coastal Camera Club and coordinated by Leslie Sinclair and Tom Lovatt, the day also featured an optional dinner and morning and evening photo trips into nearby Cape Henlopen State Park. 


    The 2019 Winning Images

    Marilyn Monroe
    Jerry am Ende
    Gold Medal Winner
    Red Fox Kits Play
    Jerry am Ende
    Honor Ribbon    		 Look at Us!
    Tom Lovatt
    Honor Ribbon    		 The Matriarch's Gaze
    Peggy Udinski
    Honor Ribbon



    Photo from the Competition


    Photos courtesy of Sam Z. Markman. (click photos to enlarge)


    State Membership director Lynn Maniscalco presents the PSA Gold to Jerry am Ende.


    Tom Lovatt, Jerry am Ende and Peggy Udinski (L to R) show their winning prints.


    Assistant Membership Director Leslie Sinclair introduces the judges.


    Tom Tauber, Dianne Carnegie and Robin Harrison (L to R) judge the prints displayed by Debbie Woods, Marta Nammack and Mardi Thompson (L to R).

    Successful Photo Travel prints on display during the event.


    Staffing the check-in table: Tish Brey (left) and Deb Payette 
  • 2018 Best of Delaware Print Competition - Awards and Photos from the Event
    The 2018 Erik Kissa Memorial Medal, a PSA Gold, was awarded to Susan Peter in the first annual Best of Delaware print competition, hosted by Coastal Camera Club, on Saturday, April 28 in Lewes DE. The late Dr. Kissa was the previous State Membership Director and the competition was open to all PSA members living in DE. To honor his belief that the real value of competition is as a learning tool, the judging was followed by an interactive critique among the 120 observers and participants, with the jurors Andy Gordon, Lynn Maniscalco,HonPSA, EPSA and Tom Tauber, EPSA. Gordon also presented "Embarking on Your Creative Journey," and he and David Neff, a fellow RIT graduate, gave a workshop on focus stacking. The free all-day event, "A Day of Photography Inspiration and Education," was open to everyone, and included a photo flea market and PSA information for the benefit of non-members as well as members who are not taking full advantage of their membership. Partial support was provided by the Delaware Division of the Arts.

    The 2018 Winning Images

    Katmai Grizzly with Cub
    Susan Peter
    Gold Medal Winner
    Clouds over the Alaska Range
    Bob McCaffrey
    Honor Ribbon    		 Blue-Footed Booby with Chicks
    Susan Peter
    Honor Ribbon    		 Need a Ride to Church
    Paul Hammesfahr
    Honor Ribbon



    Photo from the Competition


    Photos courtesy of Sam Z. Markman.

    Lynn Troy Maniscalco, HonPSA, EPSA, (R) presents the Erik Kissa Memorial Award, a PSA Gold Medal, to Susan Peter (L) for her print, "Katmai Grizzly with Cub," named "2018 Best of Delaware." PSA honor ribbons went to (L to R) Bob McCaffrey for "Clouds Over the Alaska Range," Susan Peter for "Blue Footed Booby with Chicks," and Paul Hammesfahr for "Need a Ride to Church?"
    Jurors Lynn Troy Maniscalco,  Andy Gordon, and Tom Tauber provide commentary Paul Hammesfahr drawing for PSA item with Lynn Troy Maniscalco Competition in progress. The people in the front of the room are Gene Tadlock, Leslie Sinclair, Pat Powell, Joe Radcliffe, and Marta Nammack