Wow. if we’ve learned one thing over the past year, it’s that a virulent global pandemic can’t even touch the resilient mojo of avid photographers. The honorees in this year’s Focus on Nevada photo contest seem to have taken the assorted bummers of COVID as an artistic challenge, sublimating them into images that pop with raw, longing beauty -— but just as often hum with the tensions and subtle dramas of domestic life that we got to know all too well. Congratulations to our winners and honorable mentions -— and thanks as always for inspiring us to look at Nevada with a truly fresh perspective.
Judges
Scott Dickensheets, Writer
Joe Dumic, B&C Camera
Brent Holmes, Artist
Andrew Kiraly, Desert Companion
Robert John Kley, Photographer
Heidi Kyser, Desert Companion
Chase McCurdy, Artist and photographer
Elizabeth Quiñones-Zaldaña, Poet
Christopher Smith, Desert Companion
Lance L. Smith, Artist
Artistic & Abstract
Honorable Mention
“I've been passing by this building in Boulder City my entire life, always fascinated by its purpose and the message painted on its windows. The building has been there on the hill overlooking the lake for 90 years and first served as the maintenance shop for the trains that ran supplies and equipment out to the dam construction site. Glad I finally took the time to stop and shoot it.”
Artistic & Abstract
Honorable Mention
“Summer wind in oleanders, the flowers swayed in waves of color while small birds sheltered in the hedge.”
Artistic & Abstract
Honorable Mention
“The Shops at Crystals creates an art installation of light, color, and form with its interior walls, while consumers shop.”
Artistic & Abstract
Honorable Mention
Artistic & Abstract
Honorable Mention
“While I was interviewing the locksmiths that work for the Department of Public Safety, they showed me their key board. It was almost disorienting to see just how many keys they are in charge of. I loved the symmetry and pattern of all the hanging keys and the overload of
information.”
Artistic & Abstract
2nd Place
“This photo was actually taken on my kitchen counter! I created the scene based on Pride Month last year. I wanted to focus on local art as well, and thought that Seven Magic Mountains was a good place. I used ordinary rocks from my backyard, painted them individually, and glued them in the exact order of the real thing. The foreground is made up of a cardboard base, dirt, and little grass bunches from outside to look like bushes. The background was made with a doormat (as tall grass), wrapping paper (as mountains) and the sky was made by holding a sheet up behind the scene.”
Artistic & Abstract
1st Place
“Since the late 1990s, I’ve been working on a series of images I call Wet Floor Vegas. With the iconic lights of Las Vegas as the subject, enhanced by rare desert rain, WFV reflects the ever-changing landscapes that have illuminated Las Vegas and made it so much fun. Simply put, when it rains at night, I’m down on the Strip or Downtown shooting reflections in pools of water, having a great time doing it.”
City Scenes
Honorable Mention
“This was taken on the tram at McCarran airport. I had a 4 a.m. flight to Seattle, and in my exhausted state and with how empty the airport was, I just felt it looked absolutely beautiful, especially in a wide lens. It felt like an underappreciated and unnoticed piece of Las Vegas.”
City Scenes
Honorable Mention
“We have the best sunsets here in Southern Nevada. I was waiting for my wife to come out of Target when I noticed the black car next to me was reflecting the amazing light. I grabbed the camera at hand (an iPhone).”
City Scenes
Honorable Mention
“Shot the day it snowed from the Rio parking garage to the backside of the Bellagio. I love the low- hanging clouds and steam elements. Not something you see very often on the Strip.”
City Scenes
Honorable Mention
“Courtyard, cropped.”
City Scenes
2nd Place
“Epic view of Las Vegas with the snowy mountains for natural backdrop.”
City Scenes
1st Place
“An electric view of Las Vegas from Sunrise Mountain during an isolated thunderstorm.”
Storyteller
Honorable Mention
“A photographer wanders deeper into the Mesquite Flat dunes in Death Valley while another photographer sets up a shot (while this photographer took a photo of both). The wind blasted us with sand at over 40 mph, causing my nose to bleed, but gave us the dunes to ourselves.”
Storyteller
Honorable Mention
“Micro burst hits the open desert behind Seven Magic Mountains, appearing and disappearing within a matter of minutes.”
Storyteller
“I was invited into homes and yards to document children who had been in isolation for many months. It was my quest to capture their resilience, while most adults were not as adaptable. Here, Luka creates his own new world by connecting blocks in his own family bubble.”
Storyteller
Honorable Mention
“As soon as the streets became empty, some people took advantage to turn the backdrop into a sweet photo opportunity for their classic car.”
Storyteller
Honorable Mention
“Taken in Circus Circus. Before this photo, I hadn't visited the
casino for over 10 years. In this photo is a family playing what seems to be a game like Skee-Ball.”
Storyteller
2nd Place
“Part of a series named ‘My Pandemic Family Life,’ this is what quarantine looks like every day. This series follows one woman’s struggle with being abandoned by the father of her children and what life is like when you are left alone to take care of them.”
Storyteller
1st Place
“What are you holding?”
“These are nuts.”
Taken in Nye County.
The Rurals
Honorable Mention
The Alamo Inn in Alamo
The Rurals
Honorable Mention
“Victor, a Peruvian sheepherder, drives a flock near the Toiyabe Range east of Austin.”
The Rurals
Honorable Mention
“Lights hovering somewhere near Rachel.”
The Rurals
Honorable Mention
“Aerial panoramic shot of Blue Diamond, from my drone.”
The Rurals
2nd Place
Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Corn Creek Station
“I thought I might try some astrophotography at a secluded wildlife refuge where the sky would not be polluted by the Las Vegas lights. Around 11 p.m., clouds moved in and obscured the stars, so I decided to leave. While packing my gear, I noticed that the clouds were gathering above an abandoned cabin. To give the cabin a more occupied and cozy appearance, I put a flashlight inside and aimed it at the window. During the time exposure, I light-painted the cabin exterior with another flashlight whose color temperature was considerably cooler than the inside light. I was surprised and lucky to get this photo.”
The Rurals
1st Place
“Stone water tower in Cathedral Gorge State Park, Pioche, shot at 2 a.m.”
Wild Nevada
Honorable Mention
“Amargosa Big Dune”
Wild Nevada
Honorable Mention
“Four Tracks on Roach Lake”
Wild Nevada
Honorable Mention
“This photo was taken in Gold Butte National Monument, a hidden gem in Nevada and a photographer's playground. I planned out this shot so that the Milky Way rises over a unique sandstone fin sculpted by wind erosion.”
Wild Nevada
Honorable Mention
“Early morning light and ripples on the water highlight this Egret at Cornerstone Park. He seems to be expressing the frustrations we have all faced with the pandemic. Cornerstone (the old quarry turned wetlands) continues to provide an excellent place to work through those challenges.”
Wild Nevada
Honorable Mention
“The Ruby Mountains outside of Elko house some of the most dramatic landscape scenes in Nevada. Thomas Canyon sits at the base of majestic Mount Fitzgerald and provides a magical stream for those who choose to wander up its trail. The first portion of the trail passes thundering waterfalls in deep alpine forest. As you gain in elevation, the larger trees dissipate and Mount Fitzgerald comes into view. Just past the end of the trail, time for bushwhacking, you will encounter this stunning view -— and if you time it right, you will be blessed with a sunset that only Nevada can provide.”
Wild Nevada
Honorable Mention
“Sunset while California fires were burning and sending smoke to the Las Vegas Valley.”
Wild Nevada
2nd Place
“Escaping the city lights to the higher rural ground near Pioche, a once-in-my-lifetime view of the Comet Neowise, streaking silently across the sky. A solemn visitor in our solar system, much like the aluminum sojourner Argosy in the foreground, a relic of the past. An ion tail stretching many millions of miles reminds us all, the distance that light may travel to our eyes, all to inspire.”
Wild Nevada
1st Place
“Small ‘Bites’: this Anna’s hummingbird is pleased to supplement nectar with a little bit of something as she ‘lunches’ in the backyard. We are fortunate to have several species of hummingbirds throughout the year in our valley. Much of the country has a brief hummingbird ‘season.’”
Light & Shadow
Honorable Mention
“This is how it feels to travel alone during the pandemic.”
Light & Shadow
Honorable Mention
“There is light and shade, joy and pain, and even comedy and tragedy in the closing of live performances in Las Vegas. This interactive and rhythmic group, Molodi, had to face what they thought was just a short stop in their plans to perform throughout Nevada. I shot these images hoping to promote their work, but all was put on hold because of the pandemic.”
Light & Shadow
Honorable Mention
“Nevada's Black Rock Desert playa surface never remains the same for very long. Constantly changing shapes and textures are because of many varying conditions, natural and human-caused. This image was made during a period of ‘transient dune’ formations which lasted only a few months in pristine form.”
Light & Shadow
2nd Place
“The Majestic Repertory Theatre in the Arts District had to cancel half their run of The Garden Party. It took place outdoors and was an immersive experience with audience participation. The then-unknown virus halted this party. Here I captured actress Fred Daisy as she waited for the few brave guests who showed up for their final performance before the shutdown.”
Light & Shadow
1st Place
“‘Where’s Forky’ is part of my series, ‘My Pandemic Family Life.’ It follows the life of my three-generation family living together during the pandemic. Atlas is in the garbage looking for his toy, Forky.”
Grand Prize
“A tiny spider, no bigger than a quarter of an inch, found hanging out in the flower bed. Add a little bit of light and a macro lens, and he looks six feet tall.”
