Focus 

Three years ago the Independent, the Business of Art Center and Shewmaker's Camera Shop sponsored our first photographic competition designed to capture our region during a 24-hour time frame.

The show was designed to highlight the incredible depth and talent of the photography community in Colorado Springs, and it did not disappoint. Professional and amateur photographers fanned out, capturing on film the landscapes and everyday life during that slice of time in the Pikes Peak region.

For this year's competition, we chose the weekend of Saturday, Oct. 12 at noon for the beginning of the shoot. The day was overcast, and the trees bursting with fall color. Of the 220 images entered for consideration, a wide range of individual expressions were represented, including impressionistic, representational, color, black and white, traditional and experimental techniques.

Jurors for this year's competition included Johnnie Zeornes of Shewmaker's Camera Shop, professional photographer Jane McBee and myself. What was striking to all of us was -- after a summer of relentless drought and just a little over a year after the ugliness of the 9-11 attacks -- the number of photographers seeking to record the beauty around them.

Professionals and amateurs sparingly sought out humans during this competition, instead memorializing the solace of nature, the beauty of running water, the shocking yellow brilliance of foliage, the sturdy architectural lines of buildings.

All in all, nearly 60 pieces were selected to be displayed for the FOCUS:24 photographic show, which opens this Friday, Dec. 6. (For details on the show and opening receptions at the Business of Art Center and at the East Library, see the information listed in the capsule on page 29.)

Our admiration goes out to the many talented photographers who competed this year. And our gratitude goes out to our co-sponsors, including the Business of Art Center, Shewmaker's and the Pikes Peak Library District. Our thanks also to Olympus America, Inc., which generously donated many of the prizes.

-- Cara DeGette

Editor

The winners

Jane McBee's choice

"It's History Now" by Pat Williams

Cara DeGette's choice

"Heller Arroyo" by Gerry Riggs

1st place "Touchdown Rangers"

by Jake Moberly

2nd place "The Road Home"

by Bob Simpson

3rd place "Leaf Abstract"

by Cole Moberly

The prizes

Professional division

1st Place Olympus c5050 zoom Digital

camera. Value: $900

2nd Place Olympus P-400 Photo Printer.

Value: $600

3rd Place $50 Gift Certificate to Adam's

Mountain Cafe

Honorable Mention $20 Gift Certificate to

Adam's Mountain Cafe

Amateur division

1st Place Olympus C-4000 Zoom Digital

Camera. Value: $600

2nd Place Olympus Stylus Select Film

Camera. Value: $300

3rd Place $50 Gift Certificate to Adam's

Mountain Cafe

Honorable Mentions: $20 Gift to Adam's

Mountain Cafe

Youth Division

1st Place Olympus D-550 Camera Digital.

Value: $350

2nd Place Olympus Stylus Epic 80

Deluxe. Value: $210

3rd Place $50 Gift Certificate to the

Book Broker

Judges' Choices

Three years ago the Independent, the Business of Art Center and Shewmaker's Camera Shop sponsored our first photographic competition designed to capture our region during a 24-hour time frame.

The show was designed to highlight the incredible depth and talent of the photography community in Colorado Springs, and it did not disappoint. Professional and amateur photographers fanned out, capturing on film the landscapes and everyday life during that slice of time in the Pikes Peak region.

For this year's competition, we chose the weekend of Saturday, Oct. 12 at noon for the beginning of the shoot. The day was overcast, and the trees bursting with fall color. Of the 220 images entered for consideration, a wide range of individual expressions were represented, including impressionistic, representational, color, black and white, traditional and experimental techniques.

Jurors for this year's competition included Johnnie Zeornes of Shewmaker's Camera Shop, professional photographer Jane McBee and myself. What was striking to all of us was -- after a summer of relentless drought and just a little over a year after the ugliness of the 9-11 attacks -- the number of photographers seeking to record the beauty around them.

Professionals and amateurs sparingly sought out humans during this competition, instead memorializing the solace of nature, the beauty of running water, the shocking yellow brilliance of foliage, the sturdy architectural lines of buildings.

All in all, nearly 60 pieces were selected to be displayed for the FOCUS:24 photographic show, which opens this Friday, Dec. 6. (For details on the show and opening receptions at the Business of Art Center and at the East Library, see the information listed in the capsule on page 29.)

Our admiration goes out to the many talented photographers who competed this year. And our gratitude goes out to our co-sponsors, including the Business of Art Center, Shewmaker's and the Pikes Peak Library District. Our thanks also to Olympus America, Inc., which generously donated many of the prizes.

-- Cara DeGette

Editor

The winners

Professional division:

1st place "A Step in Time"

by Stephen Weaver

2nd place "When Buildings Bleed"

by Jim Doenges

3rd place "Brothers in Nature"

by Coleen Swanson

Honorable mention - "Complementary Reflections"
by Jim Doenges

Amateur division

1st place "Hayman Fire" by Randy Harr

2nd place "Passing By" by Michael J. Pach

3rd place "Waiting for Dick Cheney"

by Miranda Kombert

Honorable mentions:

"Rock and Leaves" by Linda Pearce

"Frost" by Frank Koenigsamen

Aspirations" by Teri Atkins Brown

Judge's choices

Johnnie Zeornes' choice

"Berry Good" by Tracy Goodale

Jane McBee's choice

"It's History Now" by Pat Williams

Cara DeGette's choice

"Heller Arroyo" by Gerry Riggs

Youth division

1st place "Touchdown Rangers"

by Jake Moberly

2nd place "The Road Home"

by Bob Simpson

3rd place "Leaf Abstract"

by Cole Moberly

The prizes

Professional division

1st Place Olympus c5050 zoom Digital

camera. Value: $900

2nd Place Olympus P-400 Photo Printer.

Value: $600

3rd Place $50 Gift Certificate to Adam's

Mountain Cafe

Honorable Mention $20 Gift Certificate to

Adam's Mountain Cafe

Amateur division

1st Place Olympus C-4000 Zoom Digital

Camera. Value: $600

2nd Place Olympus Stylus Select Film

Camera. Value: $300

3rd Place $50 Gift Certificate to Adam's

Mountain Cafe

Honorable Mentions: $20 Gift to Adam's

Mountain Cafe

Youth Division

1st Place Olympus D-550 Camera Digital.

Value: $350

2nd Place Olympus Stylus Epic 80

Deluxe. Value: $210

3rd Place $50 Gift Certificate to the

Book Broker

Judges' Choices

$25 gift certificates from Shewmaker's

Camera Shop

capsule

Focus: 24 hours in the Pikes Peak Region

A photography show

The Business of Art Center's Community Building, 515 Manitou Ave.,

Opening reception: Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Hours: Wednesday Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On display through the end of December

Free and open to the public

Youth photo display

At the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd., 531-6333

Opening reception: Friday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Hours: Monday Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. On display through December./b>

$25 gift certificates from Shewmaker's

Camera Shop