Has it really been a year since the last Focus on Nevada Photo Contest? Plus, for this year’s look at nightlife in Nevada’s biggest city, we decided to turn the lens on those communities that are big enough to sway markets, but too small to be mainstream — LGBTQ+ individuals, seniors, those under 21 and other non-drinkers.
The thing about Nevada is, it’s big. Even someone who’s trying hard may not be able to see all of it. It’s enough of a challenge to visit all the strip malls along Charleston Boulevard, let alone all the attractions along Nevada State Highways. (Not saying that shouldn’t be a goal; it absolutely should!)
But the thing about the Focus on Nevada Photo Contest is, it helps make Nevada a little smaller. By turning the view over to photographers all around the state and inviting them to send us what they see, the contest also invites the public to be where winning photos were taken. Over the months of helping to judge entries and plan the issue, I’ve seen a meadow at Tamarack Lake, wild horses roaming near Pioche, a dancer at the Pahrump Powwow, and so much more. Without leaving my desk, I’m reminded what a culturally and naturally rich place I live in and, by extension, I feel more connected to and curious about it.
To all who contributed, thank you for giving this experience to me and everyone else who gets to see Nevada through your eyes. — Heidi Kyser
Sponsor Message
LANDSCAPES
First Place
Damian Czajka Tamarack Lake
Honorable Mention
Bill Bruninga Sunset on Fortification Hill
Honorable Mention
Scott Mortimore The sun slides to the west
Second Place
Trevor Vellinga Avi Kwa Ame National Monument
Honorable Mention
Nickolas Warner Aerial panorama near Sunrise Mountain
BLACK & WHITE
First Place
Bill Bruninga Fishing boat enters Lake Mead
Second Place
Jose Antonio Gomez Cigarette break
Honorable Mention
Norm Craft Bonnie Claire
Honorable Mention
Sarah Jones Silver Legacy Dome in Reno
Honorable Mention
Lazer Lou Horses near Pioche
Honorable Mention
JR Marquina Lone building
Honorable Mention
Michael Braunstein Desert sunrise
ARTISTIC & ABSTRACT
First Place
Scott Mortimore Last day of autumn in the Sierra
Second Place
Kirk Nix Blood moon in Valley of Fire
Honorable Mention
Diane Bedell Honeybee wing
Honorable Mention
Julia Anthony Malia holds her breath effortlessly
Honorable Mention
Doreen Lawrence Rose garden at Springs Preserve
STORYTELLER
First Place
Michael Viapiana Pahrump powwow
Second Place
Janet Correa Dancing spirit at sunrise
Honorable Mention
Daniel Sanchez Levitating man
Honorable Mention
Hugh Byrne Ref call reaction
Honorable Mention
Jose Simon Aliens among us
PLANTS & ANIMALS
First Place
Pam Borgos The tiniest ranch hand
Second Place
Doreen Lawrence Cedar waxwing
Honorable Mention
Misty Epstein Wild horses graze in Cold Creek
Honorable Mention
Marcy Alfrejd Sage at Springs Preserve
Honorable Mention
Nickolas Warner Wide angle of Joshua trees
TOWN, COUNTRY, CITY SCENES
First Place
Scott Mortimore Dead poplars in Paradise Valley
Second Place
Stanislav Sabev Overcast Las Vegas
Honorable Mention
Andreas M. Cohrs Railroad crossing geometrics
Honorable Mention
Federico Castaneda A spotlight illuminates a hungry group
Honorable Mention
EJ Pagdilao Fremont Street crossing
Judges
CARMEN BEALS Associate Curator, Nevada Museum of Art
GREGG CARNES Owner, Truh'st Studio
MARLIES DAEBRITZ Project Manager, Nevada Public Radio
Sponsor Message
ANNE DAVIS Assistant Editor, Desert Companion
RON PHELPS Manager, B&C Camera
CHRISTINA GHILAN Photographer/Professor, College of Southern Nevada
JEROME HAMILTON Photographer
BRENT HOLMES Artist
Sponsor Message
HEIDI KYSER Editor, Desert Companion
SCOTT LIEN Art Director, Desert Companion
1 of 65 — NPR 2.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
2 of 65 — NPR 4.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
3 of 65 — NPR 6.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
4 of 65 — NPR 5.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
5 of 65 — NPR 10.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
6 of 65 — NPR 7.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
7 of 65 — NPR 13.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
8 of 65 — NPR 12.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
9 of 65 — NPR 15.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
10 of 65 — NPR 14.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
11 of 65 — NPR 16.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
12 of 65 — NPR 18.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
13 of 65 — NPR 20.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
14 of 65 — NPR 23.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
15 of 65 — NPR 25.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
16 of 65 — NPR 26.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
17 of 65 — NPR 29.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
18 of 65 — NPR 27.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
19 of 65 — NPR 31.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
20 of 65 — NPR 33.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
21 of 65 — NPR 30.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
22 of 65 — NPR 32.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
23 of 65 — NPR 38.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
24 of 65 — NPR 37.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
25 of 65 — NPR 40.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
26 of 65 — NPR 42.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
27 of 65 — NPR 46.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
28 of 65 — NPR 43.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
29 of 65 — NPR 45.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
30 of 65 — NPR 49.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
31 of 65 — NPR 51.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
32 of 65 — NPR 53.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
33 of 65 — NPR 58.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
34 of 65 — NPR 56.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
35 of 65 — NPR 61.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
36 of 65 — NPR 64.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
37 of 65 — NPR 66.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
38 of 65 — NPR 69.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
39 of 65 — NPR 76.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
40 of 65 — NPR 81.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
41 of 65 — NPR 83.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
42 of 65 — NPR 85.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
43 of 65 — NPR 84.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
44 of 65 — NPR 87.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
45 of 65 — NPR 86.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
46 of 65 — NPR 88.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
47 of 65 — NPR 91.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
48 of 65 — NPR 93.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
49 of 65 — NPR 95.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
50 of 65 — NPR 97.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
51 of 65 — NPR 100.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
52 of 65 — NPR 99.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
53 of 65 — NPR 103.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
54 of 65 — NPR 104.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
55 of 65 — NPR 107.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
56 of 65 — NPR 120.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
57 of 65 — NPR 109.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
58 of 65 — NPR 108.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
59 of 65 — NPR 112.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
60 of 65 — NPR 114.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
61 of 65 — NPR 116.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
62 of 65 — NPR 119.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
63 of 65 — NPR 117.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
64 of 65 — NPR 122.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.
Treston Southwick
65 of 65 — NPR 125.jpg
Guests attend Desert Companion's 2024 Focus on Nevada photo showcase at the Barrick Museum at UNLV on May 31, 2024.