Images by Jim Colton and Mark Gerow Awarded in the 2024 Peninsula Photo Contest
Ellen Gilkerson | Published on 5/22/2024
PACC member Jim Colton’s sublime image, Silky Sea, was awarded Best in Show and First Place in the Landscapes Category in the 2024 Peninsula Photo Contest. Mark Gerow’s very cool image, Nautilus, was awarded Honorable Mention in the Abstract Category. Both Jim and Mark entered their images in the Adult Division (in case you were wondering).
The 2024 Peninsula Photo Contest was sponsored by The Palo Alto Weekly, the Palo Alto Art Center, and TheSixFifty. Amateurs and professionals; adults 18 and older, and youth 17 and younger (and 18-year-olds still in high school) who live, work, or attend school in the 650 area code were eligible to enter images. This year’s contest included images taken within the last five years in the following categories: Abstract, Landscapes, Moments, Portraits, Travel, and Wildlife.
Jim says, about Silky Sea: In 2022, on the Big Island of Hawaii, I took this photo of the waves crashing over the lava rocks offshore. A neutral density filter and a tripod allowed me to expose this photo for 160 seconds so the water looked light and silky to contrast with the dark and sturdy rocks. The rising sun striking the peaks of the rocks is a nice finishing touch.
Jim Colton:
Silky Sea
Mark says, about Nautilus: This image was taken just before sunset on the same rainy day as our 2024 annual meeting while walking around the public sculpture park on the edge of Google's campus near Shoreline Park. For me, this image explores and celebrates the many angles and curves of this sculpture, as well as the rich tones and dramatic color palette of the setting sun filtering through the blue-grey clouds. It also serves as a reminder for me that it's always possible to find something unique and beautiful in even the most photographed subject.
Mark Gerow:
Nautilus