Picture this: $100 and bragging rights as Warren County's number one talent.
It's a scenario that's about to become reality for one county teen thanks to the fourth annual Teen Photo Contest at Warren Public Library.
On Saturday, final judging for the contest will be held, and teens in grade seven through 12 will vie for first- through fourth-place honors and a people's choice award.
Article Photos
Photos by Jacob Perryman
Entries in the Teen Photo Contest are currently on display at Warren Public Library’s Wetmore Gallery and include, clockwise from left, “His Hardest Goodbye”, “He Loves Me, He Love Me Not” and “A Boy and His Dog” among the 42 entries.
According to Sharon Gage, adult services librarian and event organizer, this year's contest features 42 entries. Each participant in the contest is allowed up to two entries which may be in black and white or color. All entries must be matted, but framing is optional.
Gage said the photos were hung June 6 and are currently on display in the library's Wetmore Gallery. She encouraged the public to stop in at the library, view the submissions and vote for their favorite. Public votes will determine a "people's choice" winner.
Judges will evaluate quality, originality and creativity. Each judge is given evaluation forms to allow them to make optional comments and critiques of photos. The judges will also list their favorites in order from one through four. Judging is done "blind" as photographs do not have entrant names displayed.
Judging for the contest consists of both photographers and photography aficionados. Judges are John Crone, Karen Heitzel, Bill Hill, Stephen Horsley, Kelli Knapp, Cindy Price and Jane Harris.
After judging, Gage said she will determine winners using an overall point system based on the judges' rankings. Entrants will receive four points for a first-place ranking, three for a second, two for a third and one for a fourth. The total combined points from each of the seven judges rankings will determine winners.
Each of the four entrant who place and the "people's choice" winner will receive a cash prize.
"For the past few years there has been a midwinter library benefit at the Struthers Library Theatre," Gage said. "The prizes are provided by the proceeds from the people who attend."
According to Gage, some submissions are from new entrants, while others were entered by contest veterans, some of whom have participated every year since the event's inception.
"We try to have different things that will appeal to different tastes and abilities," Gage said. "We try to make sure we have different events for young adults in the area."