The River Cities’ Reader’s 2017 photo contest received more than 100 entries in four categories: “Uniquely Quad Cities,” “Reflection,” “Urban,” and “Rural.” Here are our winners and favorites.
Many thanks to all who entered our contest!
Urban, Third Place: Dale Fehr, Hampton, Illinois (The Bench)
“This photo was taken at Vista Hermosa Natural Park in Los Angeles. It has a great view of the LA skyline when sitting on the iconic bench featured in many movies. So I set up my tripod and took a unique selfie with my wife.”
Reflection, Honorable Mention: Brennen Tope, Davenport
“Taken on a February evening just off the bike path. There had been no barges on the Mississippi, making the water perfectly still. However, with no clouds in the sky, I knew the sunset would be drab and plain, so I threw rocks into the water to see what unique splashes and ripples would emerge.”
Rural, Honorable Mention: Margaret Sherwin, Moline
Uniquely Quad Cities, First Place: Aric Keil, Davenport
“The Arsenal bridge from River Heritage Park.”
Reflection, Second Place: David J. Genac, Moline
Urban, Honorable Mention: Eric Haley, Viola, Illinois
“We had been walking around downtown NOLA for about an hour or so, and we came upon a local artist selling paintings on the street. After asking permission from the artist, I grabbed a few frames of Britny Landry checking out the work. The colors just worked so well with the mood of the shoot. This image is one of my absolute favorites from the whole day.”
Reflection, Third Place: Margaret Sherwin, Moline
Rural, Third Place: Maggie Rechkemmer, Davenport
Uniquely Quad Cities, Second Place: Dale Fehr, Hampton, Illinois (Ice Bridge)
“I took this photo of the iconic I-74 bridge at sunset last winter. I really wanted to get as much ice in the picture as I could, so I got down so low I had to lie on the ice and rocks to see throughout the viewfinder to line up the shot, but it was so worth it.”
Reflection, Honorable Mention: Kathy Nice, Orion, Illinois
“Fall colors and an American White Pelican show their reflections in the water at Nahant Marsh in Davenport.”
Rural, Honorable Mention: Aric Keil, Davenport
“Maquoketa farmer Marvin Franzen on his John Deere tractor.”
Urban, First Place: Miranda Igo, Milan
Reflection, Honorable Mention: Eric Haley, Viola, Illinois
“This image was captured at Matherville Lake in Mercer County, Illinois, in the fall of 2016 with model Halie Parkinson. It was shot using a Paul Buff White Lightning Ultra 1200 with a 20-inch beauty dish at camera left and a Canon Speedlight 580 EXII behind the model to camera right. This was one of the last images taken during the shoot. The image was flipped from a horizontal to a vertical in post for effect.”
Rural, First Place: David J. Genac, Moline (Balltown)
“When I looked out over the landscape with the sun low in the sky, I had a recollection of Grant Wood and the unique style with which he is identified. I also identified the scene with John Deere, and knowing that Grant Wood pieces are a part of the John Deere Art Collection, I decided to play with the color a bit in processing to make the green approximate John Deere’s trademark color.”
Urban, Honorable Mention: Miranda Igo, Milan
Uniquely Quad Cities, Honorable Mention: Kevin Yuskis, Moline
“Hero Street monument in Silvis, from an alternate angle in black and white. Captured on Memorial Day 2017.”
Urban, Second Place: David J. Genac, Moline (Minneapolis)
Reflection, Honorable Mention: Steven J. France, Davenport
Rural, Second Place: Dale Fehr, Hampton, Illinois (The Farm)
“I took this image in northern Wisconsin while on a fall leave tour.”
Uniquely Quad Cities, Honorable Mention: David Butler, Davenport
Uniquely Quad Cities, Honorable Mention: Brennen Tope, Davenport
“It was my first time trying steel-wool photography. Steel-wool photography is the burning and spinning of steel wool. The spinning wool emits sparks and can be captured by a longer exposure on camera. I knew the hill at Centennial Park was the perfect place for the photo with the bridge peeking out on the side.”
Reflection, Honorable Mention: Kevin Yuskis, Moline
“Cloud reflections captured on the Hennepin Canal east of the Quad Cities.”
Uniquely Quad Cities, Third Place: Margaret Sherwin, Moline
Reflection, First Place: Dale Fehr, Hampton, Illinois (Mountain Reflection)
“I captured this image of Banner Peak reflecting on Thousand Island Lake on a hiking trip. The water was very calm in the morning, allowing for a clear reflection.”
Reflection, Honorable Mention: David K. Sebben, Rock Island
