Awarded Photographs from the Exhibit
	Selected by Lumiere  Awarded $200 Gift Certificate Illuminated Gate by Stephen Randell Stephen Randell is awarded a Lumiere gift certificate for his photograph Illuminated Gate. Stephen enjoys working in infrared black-and-white imagery, and this photograph is quietly captivating. He makes confident use of the full tonal range—an image that initially reads as dark gradually reveals itself through careful looking. Subtle detail emerges in the shadowed areas, particularly in the lower left, where textured snow catches faint light and forms a gentle visual base that balances the brighter glow spilling through the gate. The soft focus enhances a feeling of ambiguity and suspended time. Rather than diminishing clarity, it deepens the mood, creating a sense of intimacy that invites viewers to pause and imagine what lies beyond the threshold. The gate becomes less a barrier than a point of transition, hinting at narrative and unseen space. Compositionally, Stephen avoids the expected frontal view. By photographing the scene from an angle, he introduces movement and visual energy. The diagonal sweep of the snow-covered vine along the fence leads the eye naturally toward the illuminated opening, echoing the branching forms of the snow-laden tree beyond. These repeating patterns unify foreground and background, while the strong contrast between darkness and light reinforces the photograph’s quiet drama. With Illuminated Gate, Stephen succeeds through restraint, atmosphere, and thoughtful design, rewarding viewers who take the time to look closely. By Dick Bennett
	Awarded by Archival Methods  $200 Gift Certificate Center Back by Clay Arnold Congratulations to Clay Arnold, the winner of the Archival Methods Award. In his image titled Center Back, Clay transforms a quiet pose into a powerful meditation on strength, identity and grace. By turning the subject away from the viewer, Clay provides a mysterious story, based on her posture, the light and texture, rather than expression. The sculptural quality of the shoulders and spine, combined with the intricate braiding of the hair, creates a striking interplay between vulnerability and resilience. The light in front of the subject effectively draws the viewer’s eye to her face, which contrasts beautifully with the shadows, giving the image a classical presence. Every detail feels intentional—nothing distracts from the commanding elegance of the form. When staring at the photo, the story begins to unfold. Is the subject pondering what lies ahead, or is she reflecting on what has come before? The flowers gently clutched in her left hand add a poignant element---are they an offering, a remembrance, or a symbol of hope carried forward. This small but evocative detail deepens the mystery, inviting viewers to imagine what moment has just passed, or what emotional threshold she is about to cross. This sense of an unfolding story draws the viewer in, encouraging personal interpretation and emotional connection. Center Back stands out for its confident composition, emotional restraint and quiet power, making it a deserving choice for the Archival Methods Award. By Marie Costanza
	Selected by Image City Awarded $200 Prismatic by Olena Kondrashova The Image City Photography Gallery Award for The Magic of Light 2026 is presented to Olena Kondrashova for her photograph Prismatic. Joining us for only her second exhibition, Olena makes a strong and memorable impression, and we are pleased to recognize her work with this award. Her presentation is notably thoughtful, treating the frame as an integral extension of the photograph rather than a neutral boundary. While selective color can often feel distracting or contrived, Olena’s approach is deliberate and effective. The distinctive red frame—precisely matched to the model’s eye makeup—acts as a visual anchor, drawing immediate attention to the subject’s gaze and reinforcing the emotional intensity of the portrait. This choice subtly heightens the drama without overpowering the image, allowing the surrounding tones to recede and support the central narrative. The composition itself is striking. The fractured mirror introduces both literal and psychological fragmentation, reflecting distorted patterns while partially obscuring the model’s face. This interplay between concealment and revelation creates tension and invites prolonged viewing. Soft, directional light shapes the face and hands, while the shallow depth of field isolates the subject from the environment, further emphasizing mood and intent. Prismatic succeeds through careful control of light, gesture, and presentation. Olena demonstrates a confident visual sensibility, producing a photograph that feels contemporary, expressive, and fully resolved—from image to frame. By Dick Bennett