Tropical Storm Andrea blew herself out of New Jersey just in the nick of time! Happily, that meteorological coincidence set a sunny stage for the
Great Swamp Watershed Association's much-anticipated
Essence of Primrose Photo Contest.
More than 20 individual photographers, along with a host of parents, partners, and other impromptu artistic assistants, descended on
Primrose Farm to join in the day-long event aimed at capturing that one picture capable of saying 1,000 words about the newest piece of preserved open space in New Jersey's Harding Township.
Although competition was fierce in all three photographer age groups (13-and-under, 14-to-22, and 22-and-over) a panel of expert judges handpicked three submissions to take home top honors.
Each of the three winning photos is a true work of art!
Among photographers 22 and over, Michelle Hacker of Belcamp, Maryland, took the judges' collective breath away with a gorgeous, sepia-toned landscape, titled "
Vintage Meadow," that was taken under the sheltering limbs of Primrose Farm's most distinctive oak tree.
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"Vintage Meadow," by Michelle Hacker. GSWA's Essence of Primrose Photo Contest, 22 and over age group, June 8-9, 2013.
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Among the 14-to-22-year-old contestants, Peri Levine of Bedminster, NJ, demonstrated a true facility and passion for wildlife photography with an untitled snap of a
perching dragonfly.
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"Untitled," by Peri Levine. GSWA's Essence of Primrose Photo Contest, 14 to 22 year old age group, June 8-9, 2013.
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Among the 13-and-under crowd, Ashleigh Scully of Morristown, NJ, took first place with her photo, "
Dawn At Primrose Farm."
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"Dawn at Primrose Farm," by Ashleigh Scully. GSWA's Essence of Primrose Photo Contest, 13 and under age group, June 8-9, 2013.
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All three photo contest winners received a gift certificate for $25 from
Mpix.com. Each winner will also receive a full-size, framed print of their winning submission courtesy of our contest sponsors at
Madison PhotoPlus (Madison, NJ) and
The Image Maker Studio (Mendham, NJ).
Before the framed prints are turned over to our winners, all three photographs will hang for one month in a place of distinction at the
Somerset County Environmental Education Center located at
190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge, NJ. Stop by and have a look!
Although she was ever-so-slightly edged out of a victory in the 14-to-22-year-old age group, contestant Laurel Monks of Chatham Borough received a special honorable mention. She will not receive a gift certificate or a framed print, but her magnificently composed photo, titled "
Twisting Through Time," will become the mascot for the
Great Swamp Watershed Association's 2013 Gala Celebration. This year's gala will honor all the past and present chairs of GSWA's Board of Trustees, and will take place on
Thursday, October 3, at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown.
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"Twisting Through Time" by Laurel Monks. GSWA's Essence of Primrose Photo Contest, 14 to 22 year old age group, June 8-9, 2013.
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Keep your eyes peeled! This majestic tree will appear inside your mailbox and around the Internet very soon!
Want to browse
all of the contest submissions, as well as Primrose Farm photos taken by photography expert and GSWA volunteer Ari Kaufman?
Click here to visit the Primrose Farm Photo Contest set on the official GSWA Flickr page located at flickr.com/GSWA.