Hot Shot Fourth of July Photo Contest: Who Won?

06 Jul Hot Shot Fourth of July Photo Contest: Who Won?

Look up the words “hot shot” and up pops a number of wide-ranging definitions: a private hauler, usually with a 1-ton pickup and a double or triple-axle trailer, who will haul anything anywhere for a premium price; a high priority freight train; a liquid of high alcoholic proof which, when ingested repeatedly, transforms the drinker into a self-perceived “hottie” (also works in reverse, creating the perception that all members of the opposite gender are hotties); an individual, commonly of the male sex, who sees himself as a person everyone loves.

Or it’s a photograph so cool it’s hot.

Along with floats, flyovers, a public BBQ, an outdoor Impressionist art show, after four years, Katrine and Bill Formby’s Hot Shot Photo Contest has become a popular addition to Telluride’s Fourth of July celebration, a tribute to all things Norman Rockwell – on drugs. The event is co-sponsored by the Nugget Building, the Ah Haa School for the Arts, the Telluride Watch, the Steaming Bean, the Telluride Volunteer Fire Department, and Telluride Inside… and Out.

This year’s judges were Bill Formby, The Nugget; Scott Bennett, new Chief, Telluride’s all-volunteer fire department; Robert Weatherford, painter and board member, Ah Haa; Britt Markey of Telluride Arts; Samuel Adams, The Watch; Meghann McCormick, co-owner, the Steaming Bean; Clint Viebrock, Telluride Inside… and Out. Their challenge: select 3 top prize winners and 10 honorable mentions from the 178 submissions to the Hot Shot website. The criteria for choosing the winners: artistic expression, creativity, originality, image quality.

The top prize winner was a visitor from New York, Monroe Warshaw. His image “Pastrami At Independence Day Parade Telluride,” starring a Golden Retriever decked out in a headdress and red, white and blue shades sums up Telluride at its wackiest, wildest best: colorful, layered, slightly off-kilter, dog heaven (and not just on a national holiday). He wins a $500 cash prize.

Second place went to Manuel da Silva of Providence, New Jersey. His “View from the Top” captured the excitement of the flyover: the crowd scene on Main Street against the backdrop of the mountains, everyone straining their necks and squinting against the light to view the silver bird flying overhead, signaling the start of the parade. For capturing the electrifying moment in such an electrifying way, Manuel receives $300.

The third place winner is a home boy, none other than recent Telluride High School graduate and videographer extraordinaire, Keith Hill. Keith is known to march to his own drum. Rather than doing the expected (which he rarely does) and shooting the parade, he went for the after-party, the fabulous Firemen’s BBQ in Town Park. “A Wave of T-Shirt-soaking Balloon Missiles Are Fired Off in the Balloon Toss” is a remarkable composition build around a “V” shape, its splashes of color (crowd’s threads and balloons) set off against a verdant backdrop. Keith wins $100 for his artistic spin on a group of people at play.

Honorable mentions included four Telluride locals: Mark Campbell, Jessica Yurasek, Margarita DePagter, and Lisa Wilson. All 10 mentions receive a cash prizes of $50.

Last year, Michelle Fortin took second place for her beautifully composed “First Parade,” an image featuring an adorable kid and a flag. Appears the photographer has a theme going: this year, Michelle won the Audience Choice Award for “In Awe,” depicting, yep, a beautiful child at her first parade. For returning to the scene and this year’s heart-warming effort, Michelle gets to see her photograph made into 100 custom (and bona fide) U.S. postage stamps.

“Tellurideʼs July Fourth festivities, likely among the most fun and most imaginative in the nation for a small town celebration, deserve to be documented with fabulous photographs,” said Katrine Formby.

We invite you to watch Clint Viebrock’s video to view all 14 inspiring photographs: