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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has been proudly producing an annual photography competition since 1980. The cash prizes are awarded to talented amateur and professional photographers who capture one-of-a-kind scenes from nature, scenic vistas and evocative imagery of iconic locations across the region. Their work is scrupulously judged by top photo judges in the area. And then the best of the best are put on display here in the Museum of Botany & the Arts where they are enjoyed by the thousands of annual visitors to Selby Gardens.
The Gardens has continued this tradition for so long because we enjoy helping people find new and meaningful ways to connect with nature. The more we understand our symbiotic relationship with this fragile coastal environment, our appreciation for it deepens. Mother Nature offer s so many options that inspire us creatively. Taking photos in the Gardens is a favorite past time for many guests – whether they’re taken with a smart phone or using a high-tech camera and tripod system – we know people enjoy showing off what they “discovered” here in the Gardens.
From May 1 through June 21, the Museum of Botany & the Arts at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will be adorned with the work of many talented photographers. This year’s entries came from 20 cities in Florida and 10 additional states, representing the east and west coasts and places in between.
Cash prizes were awarded to 16 photographers in this year’s Found in Florida themed exhibition including Best of Show as well as First, Second and Third Place for each of five categories: Selby Gardens/Land, Sky, & Seascapes/Classic Florida Culture/Birds, Bugs, & Critters/and Black & White.
Best of Show: Sharing the Nest Laura Bryg, Sarasota
Category A: Selby Gardens
First Place: Shadows Polly Curran, University Park
Second Place: Ferns and More Judy Kramer, University Park
Third Place: Lobster Claw Claudia Daniels, Venice
Category B: Land, Sky, & Seascapes
First Place: Turkey Oaks Stephen B. White, Sarasota
Second Place: Smooth Ringling Bridge Sunset Larry George, Lakewood Ranch
Third Place: Wintry Everglades John Pan, Longboat Key
Category C: Classic Florida Culture
First Place: Sarasota Skykwalker Fern Tavalin, Sarasota
Second Place: Sanibel Light Fly-By Mike Brousseau, Sarasota
Third Place: Cow Girl Still Life Diane Broda, Bradenton
Category D: Birds, Bugs, & Critters
First Place: Hey! Wait for Me! Mary Lou Johnson, Longboat Key
Second Place: Facing Extinction Mindy Towns, Lakewood Ranch
Third Place: Immature Heron on Branch Beverly Zeiss, Sarasota
Category E: Black & White
First Place: Ole’ Model T Spencer Pullen, Port Charlotte
Second Place: Cypress #1, Hillsborough River Mike Brousseau, Sarasota
Third Place: Huffy Hinga Eileen Cohen, Nokomis
We could not have done this without our 2015 judges, Perry Johnson, Maria Lyle, and Steve Stennes, who lent their time and expertise. They had an enormously difficult task of narrowing down the 330 entries submitted this year, to 200 selected photos, including 62 entries in the “Birds, Bugs, & Critters” category alone.
Meet our Judges
Perry Johnson
A resident of Sarasota, Perry Johnson studied photography at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Toulon (EBAT), France. Mr. Johnson has been a full-time professional photographer for the past 25 years.
Maria Lyle
Born in Santiago, Chile, Maria owns and operates her own studio and is known for her professionalism both on location and in her own setting. Her work can be seen in both local and national publications.
Steve Stennes
Steve studied visual arts as he worked on a computer science degree and digital animation graphics. After graduation he opened his own studio where his camera and digital technology became his medium of choice.
In addition to cash prize winners, “Honorable Mentions” were awarded to recognize 23 additional photographs.
Golden Everglades by Diane Broda
Reflection Along the Hillsborough River by Mike Brousseau
Courting Beauty by Robert Cameron
Florida Coquina Outcrop by Robert Cameron
Nest Time by Robert Cameron
Symbol of Intrigue by Sal Catizone
The Nature of Love by Jo Chaney
Crate by Maurie Conner
Simply Green by Polly Curran
Orchid Serenade by Polly Curran
Eye of the Dragon by Michael Femal
Infused Energy by Tracy Krell
Prickly Poultice by Heather Lalanne
Stump Pass by Patricia Nebel
Fishing for Bait by Robin Palermo
Fusion by Ahmad Shehadeh
24 K by Mary Smiley
Blue Hues in the Morning Due by Fern Tavalin
Jewel Orchid by Dotty Terry
Calatavia in Lakeland by Vicki Thompson-Jones
Dripping Guzmania Bud by Sally Twinem
Ancient Love by John Zeiss
Thistle at Myakka by John Zeiss
Criteria for submittal expressly required the photographs be original and not previously awarded a prize in Selby’s Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition. In addition, judges were instructed that no special effects nor techniques such as adding or moving objects would be allowed. Photos had to be category relevant, composed attractively, properly focused and that lighting was balanced. Finally, the judges were also looking for imaginative, creative photography.
| An Analysis of this Year’s Competition Compared to 2014 | ||
| 2015 Total Entries: 330 | 2014 Total Entries: 242 | |
| 2015 Accepted for judging: 200 | 2014 Accepted for judging: 194 | |
| Category break-down: | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Selby Gardens | 60 | 48 |
| Land, Sky & Seascapes | 74 | 64 (plant life) |
| Classic FL Culture | 34 | 30 (scenic) |
| Birds, Bugs & Critters | 126 | 79 (animal life) |
| Black & White | 36 | 21 |
Best of Show
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Category A: Selby Gardens
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Category B: Land, Sky, & Seascapes
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Category C: Classic Florida Culture
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Category D: Birds, Bugs, & Critters
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Category E: Black & White
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Honorable Mentions
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* To see all the images on display and those winning images not included here, visit the exhibition in the Museum of Botany & the Arts through June 21, 2015 (daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm).