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Caption:
(Left to right back row): Wayne Brabender, Dave Edwards, Terri Main, Carol Shirk and Eileen Herrling.
(Left to right front row):Gae Bergmann, Stacey Lucht, and Vikki Fischer-Kuth.
The Dodge County Master Gardeners Association held their 4rd Annual Garden Photography Contest on Saturday October 12, 2013. Contest judges Dave Edwards, Wayne Brabender, and Eileen Herrling gave up the majority of their day to evaluate and score the 90 photos that were entered in seven different categories.
When the three esteemed judges were finished reviewing the photographs, Eileen Herrling spoke about “Creative Garden Photography.” Herrling is a Nature and Travel Photographer who lives in Appleton, Wisconsin. She judges photo contests and gives photography seminars and classes. Her seminar included many examples of photos and how they could be improved. She also shared simple tips that backyard garden photographers can use to improve their photos, even with point-and-shoot simple digital cameras.
Herrling encouraged attendees to read their camera manual, or go online and find one for their camera. Most simple cameras have more options than their owners realize for adjusting shutter speed and lighting. She also emphasized that amateur photographers should be creative, try different views and try taking more vertical photos. Also, pay attention to the “clutter” in your photo and try to make the main focus of your photo whatever it was that caught your eye in the first place.
Immediately following the digital photography seminar, each of the judges made comments on the winning photographs which were unveiled during the awards ceremony. Winners included:
Youth Category:
First Place: Andy Boschert, Beaver Dam, WI; Second Place: Andy Boschert, Beaver Dam, WI; Third Place: Kyle Main: Juneau, WI
Digitally Enhanced Category:
Honorable Mention: Terri Main, Waupun, WI
Fruit Veggie, and Produce Category:
First Place: Carol Shirk, Mayville, WI; Second Place: Carol Shirk, Mayville, WI; Third Place: Darlene Lodahl, Mayville, WI; Fourth Place: Carol Shirk, Mayville, WI; Fifth Place: Stacey Lucht, Watertown, WI
Critters and Creatures Category:
First Place: Vikki Fischer-Kurth, Beaver Dam, WI; Second Place: Vikki Fischer-Kurth, Beaver Dam, WI; Third Place: Margaret Furdek, Beaver Dam, WI; Fourth Place: Stacey Lucht, Watertown, WI; Fifth Place: Paula Storck, Mayville, WI
Flowers and Foliage Category:
First Place: Gae Bergmann, Fox Lake, WI; Second Place: Gae Bergmann, Fox Lake, WI; Third Place: Stacey Lucht, Watertown, WI; Fourth Place: Margaret Furdek, Beaver Dam, WI; Fifth Place: Gae Bergmann, Fox Lake, WI
Gardens and Landscapes Category:
First Place: Rachel Westover, Beaver Dam, WI; Second Place: Gae Bergmann, Fox Lake, WI; Third Place: Joan Raether, Beaver Dam, WI; Fourth Place: Rachel Westover, Beaver Dam, WI; Fifth Place: Rachel Westover, Beaver Dam, WI
Garden Accents and Oddities Category
First Place: Stacey Lucht, Watertown, WI; Second Place: Rachel Westover, Beaver Dam, WI; Third Place: Margaret Furdek, Beaver Dam, WI; Fourth Place: Vikki Fischer-Kurth, Beaver Dam, WI; Fifth Place: Terri Main, Waupun, WI
Each year the Master Gardeners award a special ribbon and $50 cash prize to the Best of Show Winner. Vikki Fischer-Kurth received this year’s honors for her first-place entry in the Critters and Creatures category.
The Dodge County Master Gardeners Association extends a sincere and special thank you to the three judges, for their tremendous contribution to the success of this event. In addition, they also thank the contestants for submitting their wonderful work.