Sponsored by The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Olympus America, Inc. and Dan's Camera City to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1st Place
Jaime Martino, Allentown
A little dog by the name of Bug stole the hearts of the Martino family, including three-year-old Rosa, with whom Bug shared a spontaneous kiss in the backyard. “It was a lazy summer evening and my two daughters had just played in the sprinkler and were enjoying dessert,” says mom Jaime. “I was lucky enough to have the camera ready.”
The family was planning to look for a medium-sized breed, but one look at Bug and those bigger dogs didn't stand a chance. “We are very grateful to have Bug in our lives and especially to the Lehigh County Humane Society for providing the shelter and chance for so many animals to find forever homes,” she says.
An avid amateur photographer, Martino has been capturing unique shots of her family for quite a few years. This is Martino's second first-place win in the Life in the Valley Photo Contest.
2nd Place
Richard Sipos, Allentown
Usually photos taken at Camp Geiger show adult Civil War re-enactors depicting what life was like during that time in history. But some scenes are similar throughout the years, like the fascination that trains hold for young boys.
“The boy and a girl were with the re-enactors,” says photographer Richard Sipos. He watched them hanging around the train, which seemed to fascinate them. “Then the boy left the girl—he wanted to see more of the train and what was underneath it. I waited, as I had this sense that something was going to happen when I saw and took the shot.”
Sipos became interested in photography when his children were small, about 40 years ago. He took evening classes in photography at Lehigh Carbons Community College, where he learned how to use the darkroom.
“As film started to fade out, I learned digital, and now I shoot with an Olympus OMD-E-5 and an Olympus E-30 with a variety of lenses. I use Lightroom and Corel to process my photos on my computer,” he explains. “Now that my children are on their own and I'm retired and a widower, I have a lot of time to keep learning and shooting. I never get tired of photography.”
3rd Place
Stephanie Jamiolkowski, Allentown
On July 4, 2012, Stephanie Jamiolkowski was looking for the Liberty Bell Shrine/Museum to see if they had a tour. She couldn't find the museum entrance so she rang the bell to the Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ nearby. “The pastor let me in and explained they had just had the Jubilee celebration in the church,” she explains.
The pastor said she could wander around and take pictures until the museum opened. “I was taking some shots of the church and the pipe organ and other important bells in the church when I noticed the colonial flag draped over the last pew. The flag had been used during the service.”
In 1777, the Liberty Bell was smuggled out of Philadelphia just ahead of the British army by American patriots and hidden under the floor of that same Allentown church for several months. “I did get to the see the museum and the replica of the Liberty Bell,” she says. “We are truly fortunate to have such an interesting local museum to commemorate Allentown's role in American history.”
4th Place
Erika Werner, Bethlehem
A boy and his dog—that's a classic scenario for a photograph, thought Erika Werner as she saw her three-year-old son Aven walking their dog Mulligan over a footbridge at Sand Island in Bethlehem this past summer.
“I thought it was a great shot,” she says. “Aven loves being outdoors and we like to go to Sand Island and other parks to get the dog outside, too.”
Mulligan, a Dutch Shepherd, was rescued from a kill shelter in North Carolina. “He has a mild manner,” Werner says. “He's kind and gentle, really good with kids.”
Werner enjoys seeing the world through her son's eyes. “That day, it was sunny, but there was lots of shade on the bridge from the trees,” she says. “It almost looks like they are walking into the trees.”
5th Place
Annette Van Dien, Schnecksville
This photo of some of the boys on a soccer team was taken at the end-of-the-season party at the coach's house in Schnecksville. The Parkland Area Soccer Club's U7 team had an awesome season, according to Annette Van Dien, whose son, Ryan, was on the team (second from left in the photo). “They only lost one game early in the season, then played that team again and beat them,” she explains.
She was hanging around with her camera because she knew one of the coaches was going to dump the ice bucket water over the team. “I was waiting for the water shot,” she says. “I normally use a digital SLR but I didn't have it with me. I only had what I call my ‘Girls Night Out Camera' with me, a small point-and-shoot. I just crossed my fingers and took the shot.”
Van Dien is an amateur photographer who has been taking photos since her daughter was born nine years ago. She mostly takes pictures of her family unless she sees a great natural scene that begs to be captured.
6th Place
Wendy Hamilton, Nazareth
Taken outside the Upper Nazareth home where Wendy Hamilton lived, this photo evokes the stillness of an early morning in the snow. “I went out with my camera very early before the snow was disrupted,” she says. “Everything was silent and peaceful.”
Hamilton loved the iron gate and simple “old-timey” style of the light fixture. She took many images that morning, but the gate and lantern combo worked very well against the tree background across the road. “The vintage feel is what appeals to me the most,” she says.
“I enjoy shooting nature during all seasons as well as old buildings and other structures, and like to use black and white to recall a simpler time,” Hamilton says. “My goal is to see things a little differently than everyone else. If others can enjoy my view then it makes my hobby a little more worthwhile.”
She's been taking pictures for the last 10 years and enjoys experimenting with cameras and editing software to obtain images that appeal to her eye. “The camera I use most is a Nikon D5000.”
7th Place
Patrick D'Amico, Center Valley
“Your excuse to let loose,” otherwise known as a Color Me Rad, is a relatively new phenomenon in which participants wear white and are coated with “color bombs” of safe blue, green, pink, purple and yellow dye that turns their white shirts multi-colored.
This particular race started and ended at SteelStacks, in South Bethlehem. Patrick D'Amico took the colorful shot of his wife Renee and son Patrick. “It was a bit of a happy accident,” D'Amico says of the photo. “The event itself, with the energy and vibrant color lends itself to capturing great spontaneous moments.”
Interested in photography for about 25 years, D'Amico usually takes photos of his family but also enjoys other subjects, including nature and historic or other interesting sites. “My daughter also has a passion for photography so we enjoy doing that together,” he says. “I prefer my Nikon DSLR, but this photo was taken with a Sony Cybershot DSCTX5, an all-weather point-and-shoot.”
8th Place
Jessica Burkit, Allentown
Jessica Burkit took this photo of her then-two-year-old daughter in April on a perfect spring day. “Haley was running through the bluebells at Lock Ridge Park, in Alburtis. I had heard lots of people talking about how you can get some cool pictures of the bluebells at the park,” she explains.
When she found out that they were in bloom, she and her daughter set off for the park. “We spent the day walking around the park and playing,” she says. “The photo just happened. I had fun capturing the innocence of her being a child.”
Burkit started taking pictures in high school, with candid shots being her favorite. “One day, I'd like to take some photography classes. I use a digital Kodak or my iPhone camera.”
9th Place
Richard Sipos, Allentown
The shot that Sipos, who also placed second in this contest, calls Sunset at ArtsQuest was taken in the fall of 2013, outside of the ArtsQuest building, in Bethlehem.
“I was there as a volunteer with the Lehigh Valley Photography Club for the InVision Photo Festival. Afterward, I was leaving the building and saw the beautiful sunset,” he says. “I walked around looking for the spot that would give me the best angle, and that's when I took the shot.”
10th Place
Karen Hoskins, Bangor
A volunteer coach for the Slate Belt U10 travel team in the Blue Mountain Soccer League, Karen Hoskins enjoys taking photos of the girls on the field of play. “They're joyful and happy to have fun,” she says. “I think I get more out of coaching them than they get from having me as their coach.”
This photo was taken during an end-of-season tournament in Moore Township. One of the team moms decided it would be an interesting photo and suggested Hoskins take the shot.
“The photo also shows community, unity, athleticism and fun,” she says. “I think it's important for young girls to know they can be athletic and strong but still feminine.”
After she entered the photo in the Life in the Valley Photo Contest, Hoskins found out that one of the girls in the photo had leukemia.
“I was really glad I entered it since the contest benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.”
People's Choice Award
Nancy Gennerd, Zionsville
The butterfly bushes in Nancy Gennerd's garden are aptly named. On the day in August of 2013, when she shot this photo, there were about five different varieties of butterflies on the bush at the same time. “More than I had ever seen before,” she says. “I was very glad I was off from work that day.”
The butterflies in the photo are an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and a Zebra Swallowtail (the first and only time she's ever seen one). “My favorite subjects are birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, insects and flowers. We live in a wooded area, so there are always interesting things to photograph.” Her Olympus DSLR and a telephoto lens allow her to take closer pictures of birds without scaring them away.
“That day I was hoping to get some good shots of the butterflies. I love to take close-ups to see all the beautiful detail,” she explains. “I was glad they decided to stay still for a few seconds!”
