Annual photo show highlights local amateurs’ creativity

MONTROSE — If a picture is worth a thousand words, than the San Juan Regional Amateur Photography show should prove to a be a local fortune of creativity.

This year’s show starts Wednesday at Friendship Hall at the Montrose County Fairgrounds and will run through Friday. Last year’s show featured more than 300 entries and had more than 2,000 visitors. Entry drop off is Tuesday and all pictures must be delivered by artists by 5 p.m. Show set up will begin at about 6 a.m.Wednesday.

Last year’s best in show winner, Vikki Griffoth, spent last week finishing her entries. She collected her pictures from Scott’s Printing and is finalizing her framing. She has about 15 pieces to enter. Her winning shot last year featured a howling wolf she captured at Yellowstone National Park. She traveled around the state this year, snapping photos of all kinds of subjects in hopes of a repeat win.

“We went to Colorado Springs and visited Rocky Mountain National Park and we went to the zoo,” Griffoth said. “This photo show is so great because it’s fun to see what others come up with.”

All entries must be framed and this weekend she tied up the final details for her entries. She took up photography about five years ago and has seen her skills grow, she said.

“I picked up photography when I moved to the area,” Griffoth said. “Photography is a given in this area. There is just so much to see and do. It’s as though there is something to photograph everywhere.”

Eventually, Griffoth would like to open her own photography business working on stock images. In the meantime, she will focus on honing her skills even more.

“The San Juan Photo Show is a really good outlet for local photographers to showcase their work,” she said. “It’s a good change for us to see how we compare to others.”

Show organizers are hoping that even more entrants compete this year. There are three categories: beginner, advanced and professional. Photographers choose which category to compete in and ribbons and cash prizes are awarded to first, second and third places. Student entrants receive ribbons and M.A.M.A bucks.

Show co-chairwoman Kelly Beery has high hopes for this year and will enter some photos herself.

“A lot of our club members compete in the show,” she said. “We have a larger venue this year and we hope to display more photos than last year. We have entrants come from all over the place. This is not just open to locals. Last year we had one entrant from California.”

All entries must be at least 8 x10 and framed, she said. Beery runs a daycare during the week and said she has been practicing during the weekends.

“During the week it’s pretty much impossible to get anything else done,” she said. “But I love photography. It’s a wonderful outlet. I hope people come down and visit the show, there will be great photos for everyone.”