People, Places & Things 2012: Our Sixth Annual Photo Contest

Grand Prize Winner
“Welcoming”
Chris Hazel, Grand Chute
Like a scene straight from a classic film noir flick, this iconic image of downtown Appleton struck the judges with its style, glamour and classy composition. “Paper Valley is visually centered, but the picture has depth,” said judge Brunette, who also appreciated the image’s vintage panache. “It looks like it could have been taken in the 1930s or ‘40s.” Hazel chose black and white for this photo in part to remove visual clutter and isolate the entranceway, as well as to enhance contrast between shadows and highlights. “To me, the photo depicts northeast Wisconsin by implying that the area has the culture, style and decorative flare that would normally be found in much larger cities,” Hazel commented. This encapsulated style is what caused the judges to declare Hazel’s work the winner. “This really captures quintessential Appleton in a unique way,” judge Seidl said.

Panel of Judges
Julie Poburka, assistant store manager, Simon’s Specialty Cheese
Paul Brunette, Contractivity! Operations Leader, Ralph B. Shiner, Jr. Center for Goodwill
Jan Mirenda Smith, executive director, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
Pam Seidl, director of marketing & community relations, Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
Bill Aubrey, senior project manager, Hoffman, LLC

Moderator
Bob Rueckl, owner, Rueckl Studio

Prizes
Sincere thanks to the area businesses that have generously provided our winners with the following prizes:
GRAND PRIZE: One night stay package at CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel and $25 gift certificate to Bella Vita Ristorante, downtown Appleton
FIRST PRIZES: $75 toward a stay, dinner or golf at Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center in Neenah
SECOND PRIZES: $50 toward custom framing at The Frame Workshop in Appleton
THIRD PRIZES: $25 toward photo processing at Murray Photo and Video, Inc., downtown Appleton