By WAYNE STEWART
Herald-Press
A winter snowstorm that dropped over three inches of snow across Palestine and Anderson County Feb. 11 and 12 presented a rare photographic opportunity for East Texans.
The Herald-Press staff members decided a Winter Wonderland Photo Contest was in order. Entries were taken until noon on Thursday, and, after sifting through 327 entries, a winner finally was chosen.
Gina Schwingdorf turned in the winning photograph. In the early morning hours of Feb. 12, Schwingdorf said she stepped outside and took a picture of her barn.
“I thought it would make a good picture,” Schwingdorf said of her photograph. “I didn't do anything special, I am strictly an amateur.”
Schwingdorf, who lives in Elkhart, has been here about a year now after moving to the area from Colorado.
“I was happy to see the snow,” Schwingdorf continued. “The snow is wonderful to see, being here is nice though, because we got to see it and it went away - we didn't have to live with it for months like in Colorado.”
The photo had a lot of things going for it, said photojournalist Christina Stewart.
“You had the barn, a contrast in colors with the snow and red barn and the snow-draped green trees framing the photograph,” Stewart said. “All of that added to the composition of the photo.”
Picking a winner wasn't easy.
“Finding a winner was difficult because of all the remarkable entries we had,” Stewart continued. “Narrowing it down to the top photos, and then to the winning entries took a lot of time and consideration. There were some quality photos that didn't make it to the top 10, but could have easily - they were that good.”
Taking second place in the photo contest was Dicky Seale, of Palestine who managed to photograph his son Preston throwing a snowball just before it hit the camera.
“That was the best action photo we received,” Stewart said of the photo. “The snowball was captured in flight and the photo also capture the determined expression on Preston's face - that's good action photography.”
Coming in third place is Henry Scoggin of Elkhart. Scoggin submitted a portrait of Old Town Palestine draped in snow.
“The photo of Old Town captured Palestine in unique circumstances,” Stewart said. “The colors of the Old Town buildings along with the windmill stood out from the white blanket of snow.”
Rounding out the top 10 photos are Cassie Woodlee's photo of a snow covered barn near Cuney. James Fecteau submitted the No. 5 photo of a snow-covered windmill.
One of the best road photos the Herald-Press received was from Kenneth Stovall. His photo of a county road near Montalba with Concord Mountain in the background came in at No. 6.
At No. 7 is a photo by Caity Peterson who captured a group of birdhouses caught in a snow bank. Paula Trigg's photo of a barn reflecting off a pond finished at No. 8.
Coming in at No. 9 is Jennifer Phillips who captured a cardinal nesting in a snow-covered tree. Rounding out the top 10 was a photo submitted by Samantha Costlow who captured a group of girls walking down a road in the snow.
Stewart urges everybody to go to the Herald-Press Web site at www.palestineherald.com and visit the Herald-Press photo gallery.
“I encourage everybody to view the photos in their original quality by viewing them on our photo gallery,” Stewart said. “We have a lot of good photographers out there.
“We really enjoyed seeing this snow event through the eyes of our readers.”
First prize receives dinner and a movie for two; second prize receives dinner for two and third prize receives a movie for two.
Local Scene
Related Photos
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The winnning entry was submitted by Gina Schwingdorf of Elkhart. Schwingdorf took the photo looking past a pond at a barn. Gina Schwingdorf
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The second place photo was taken by Dicky Seale at his home in Palestine on Feb. 12, featuring his son Preston throwing a snowball at the camera. Dicky Seale
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Henry Scoggin submitted the third-place photograph featuring Old Town Palestine draped in snow. Henry Scoggin
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Cassie Woodlee submitted this entry of a snow covered barn near Cuney on Texas 155, in the community of Reese. Cassie Woodlee
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A windmill covered in snow was captured elegantly by James Fecteau and is our No. 5 entry. James Fecteau
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A road through the snow is beautifully captured by Kenneth Stovall and is our No. 6 photograph. The road is a county road off of Texas 19 near Montalba with Concord Mountain in the background. Kenneth Stovall
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Caity Peterson sent in the No. 7 photo featuring a group of birdhouses caught in a snowbank at a home near Montalba. Caity Peterson
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Paula Trigg of Broom City took this photo off of her back porch, grabbing her the No. 8 spot. Paula Trigg
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A cardinal sits in a tree near Neches. The photo, sent in by Jennifer Phillips comes in at No. 9. Jennifer Phillips
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The top 10 is rounded out by Samantha Costlow who captured a group of girls walking down a road. Samantha Costlow
Discussion
And the winner is...
Winter Wonderland photo winners announced
- Local Scene
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Texas State Railroad's Armed Forces Event celebrates Memorial Day weekend
Reenactors brought to life military history during the 5th Annual Memorial Day Armed Forces Event this weekend at the Texas State Railroad’s Palestine Depot.
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Between last year’s drought and wildfires and heavy rains this spring, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance offices throughout East Texas have been inundated with calls lately from citizens concerned about dead trees.
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Northside Zoo & Art Show
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Old Town Throwdown event set Saturday in Palestine
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Patriotic program honors Elkhart veterans
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PHS Award-Winning Play
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