We are pleased to announce the Photos of Distinction for the Spring 2024 session for the Lyme Land Trust’s program Imagining Lyme. We were very impressed with all the beautiful entries this season. Please visit imagininglyme.org to see all the submissions and to submit your photos. The next deadline is December 31, 2024 for photos of Fall.

The judges chose four photos that stood out to them in the Summer 2024 gallery: three Photos of Distinction and one honorable mention. The judges are Wendolyn Hill and Joe Standart. Here is the list of the Photos with judges’ comments.

Late Summer Milkweed Seedpods by Rochelle Davis
Grassy Hill Preserve

Congratulations to Rochelle Davis for creating this engaging photograph of a seemingly ordinary event, the release of milkweed seeds from their enclosing husk. While still intact seed pods appear to dance rhythmically in the evening wind, they surround the release of seeds as they break free from their protective cover. The strong composition is circular in nature with the vertical pods leading one’s eye around the photograph and creating a frame for the seeds located in the center of the frame. The soft early evening light back lights the subject and creates a defining rim light setting the subject apart from the background. Rochelle uses selective focus to highlight the seed pods putting them in sharp focus and lets the background fall out of focus. The sharp focus invites the viewer to enjoy the whimsical interplay of the feathery seeds. The roof in the background gives the photo a countryside context. This is a wonderful photo of a fleeting moment of fun and fantasy. – Joe Standart

Late Summer at Uncas Lake by Rich Sanders
Nehantic State Forest

Rich Sanders’ split screen photograph taken with an underwater or waterproof camera invites all kinds of questions. It presents the world we know and the murky underwater world we don’t know. One can only imagine that a beaver or trout may be swimming just off camera. There is a certain mystery suggested by the shot. What is there that we can’t see? It leaves you wanting more. The challenge here is to get a proper exposure of both worlds and Rich has done a good job with that. – Joe Standart

Honeybee on Stonecrop Sedum by Mary Powell St. Louis
Private Lyme Habitat

Mary Powell St. Louis has created a beautiful close-up scene of a honeybee immersed in a sea of intricate little flowers. The sharply focused dark shapes of the bee’s oblong compound eye and his three legs pop out and provide the focal point for the image. The bee’s eye, which is made up of thousands of lenses that can see images from many directions, expresses a keen awareness of her surroundings, including the viewer. She will not linger for long. Mary had to act quickly to capture this moment in time. The array of pink flowers gives the photo a sense of depth as they recede in sharpness and size into the blurred green background. Even though honeybees are not native to this area, they are an important part of our agriculture as pollinators for many of our food crops and as producers of commercial honey. – Wendolyn Hill

Longevity by David Luke
Johnston Preserve
Honorable Mention

Another name for this photo could have been Persistence. In this case, David Luke has discovered a tree that suffered an unknown injury long ago and recovered by growing tissue around an oblong rectangular hole which exposes a hollow center. The living tissue and strength of the tree trunk are in the outer layers, so once healed, a tree with a large cavity can be strong and healthy. Nature is endlessly fascinating in its ability to overcome damage and heal wounds. David has composed the photo in a dynamic and appealing way. Set upon a bright background scene of delightful fall color, the division of the picture plane with the diagonal angle of the tree adds to the drama. The placement emphasizes the sculptural elements and amazing strength of the tree trunk. Thank you, David, for sharing your fascination with this unique tree. – Wendolyn Hill

Joe Standart is an internationally known, award-winning photographer. His national public art initiative, Portrait of America, began in New London in 2004. Learn more about Joe

Wendolyn Hill is an artist, award winning photographer, and former professor of art. Learn more about Wendy.

We’d love to see the photos you’ve taken this spring in any of the Lyme Preserves, the sky above Lyme, or backyard native wildlife/pollinator habitat in Lyme. Please share your three favorite photos in the Imagining Lyme photo showcase. The deadline for Summer photos is December 31, 2024. Three photos of distinction will be chosen. To see the gallery of photos and to submit, go to: https://imagininglyme.org