The 2024 Focus on Nevada photo contest

Grand Prize

Mark Silverstein
Triops on the Roach Dry Lake Bed

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