4th Annual Focus on Nevada photo contest

Published May 24, 2016 at 4:58 PM PDT

Grand Prize, Bryan Kersetter, Amateur — Grand prize, Bryan Kersetter, amateur

What are the consequences for photography when simple phone apps let anyone jazz up images to a degree unimaginable not so long ago? Considering the results of this contest, it’s clear to us that good photographers, professional and amateur alike, have responded to technology’s challenge by relying even more on what’s most human in the art form: a sophisticated eye, an open mind and a firm aesthetic confidence. It’s an encouraging development, beautifully showcased on these pages.

Judges

Linda Alterwitz artist
Dawn-Michelle Baude art critic
Jeanne Brown UNLV Libraries emerita
Scott Dickensheets Desert Companion
Kim Hudson photographer
Troy Heard Onyx Theatre
Patrick Gaffey Winchester Cultural Center
Brent Holmes Desert Companion
Bobbie Ann Howell artist
Andrew Kiraly Desert Companion
Heidi Kyser Desert Companion
Scott Lien Desert Companion
Gene Lubas Caesars Entertainment
Aaron Mayes photographer/curator, UNLV Libraries
Jerry Misko artist
Heather Protz photographer
Eddie Roberts art director
Gerri Schroder Henderson City Council
Scott Seeley The Writer’s Block
Melinda Sheckells Wendoh Media
Christopher Smith Desert Companion
Robert Tracy professor of art history, UNLV
Lucky Wenzel photographer
T.R. Witcher cultural journalist