Hot Shot Photo: And the 2018 Winners Are…

06 Jul Hot Shot Photo: And the 2018 Winners Are…

Look up the words “hot shot” and up pops a number of 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 a hot shot is a photograph so cool it’s hot.

Along with floats, flyovers, a public BBQ, and an outdoor Impressionist art show, after nine 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 steroids.

The event is co-sponsored by the Formbys and the Nugget Building; Telluride Ski Resort or Telski; the Ah Haa School for the Arts; the Telluride Volunteer Fire Department; and Telluride Inside… and Out.

The seven 2018 judges were as follows:

Sean Murphy, Mayor, Town of Telluride

Erin Spillane, writer/editor

Ross Herzog, Town Manager

Scott Bennett, Fire Department

Rachel Bowers, Telski

Sarah Holbrooke, Director, Pinhead Institute

Scott Cossett, Friend of the family, based in Austin, but always spends the 4th in Telluride

Their challenge: select three top-prize winners and 10 honorable mentions from over 100 submissions to the Hot Shot website.

The criteria for choosing the winners: artistic expression, creativity, originality, image quality.

The Top Prize winner was Ellie Barker’s “Skirts & Stripes.” Ellie wins the $1000 cash prize.

First Place: “Skirts and Stripes” Photographer Ellie Baker.

Second place went to Matt Kroll for his “A Focused Fly-By.” Matt won $300.

Second Place: “A Focused Fly-By” Photographer Matt Kroll.

The Third Place winner was Tamara Ogorzaly for “The Supreme Court – Judicious Final Say – This is the Beauty of America.” Tamara won $100.

Third Place: “The Supreme Court – Judicious Final Say – This is the Beauty of America” Photographer Tamara Ogorzaly

The Audience Choice award went to Nitin J. Sanket for his “Our’s and Nature’s Fireworks. For his win, Nitin’s image is rendered on 100 official U.S. postage stamps.

Audience Choice: Our’s and Nature’s Fireworks! Photographer Nitin J. Sanket.

Check out the Hot Shot website for the Honorable Mentions.

And go here for further details on the event, an important part of Telluride’s Fourth of July celebration.