Arkansas 4-H members from 53 counties were recognized on Apr. 23 for their entries in the annual Ross Photography Contest, with Catelyn Stearman of Washington County receiving the Best in Show award.
The contest provides an opportunity for youth to develop both technical and artistic photography skills while competing at county and state levels. According to Kerry Rodtnick, contest coordinator and multimedia specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, “Photography is all around us. It’s so easy to take photos these days, but taking good or even excellent photos takes effort and patience.” Rodtnick said that participating in contests like this one helps young photographers improve by learning from others’ work.
Participants submitted images depicting nature, people, and animals. Winners at the county level advanced to state judging. Rodtnick said judges considered traditional techniques as well as the effort required to capture each image: “They also looked for images that moved them. That’s the artistic aspect of photography.” Stearman’s winning photo was a black-and-white close-up of a rusted antique car overgrown with weeds. “For the Best in Show image, judges were impressed by the composition and the contrast in the image,” Rodtnick said. Another judge commented, “Her shot definitely tells a story.”
Monetary awards are provided by the Arkadelphia-based Ross Foundation for both county and state winners across multiple categories. State-level winners have their work published online through social media platforms and official websites.
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service receives funding through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state appropriations, according to the official website. The service supports social cohesion by offering programs tailored to rural, urban, and suburban communities according to its website. Program delivery utilizes county offices as well as research centers throughout Arkansas according to university information.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture according to its official site, operating in all 75 counties with specialists based on five university campuses along with various research centers as reported by university sources. Its mission is focused on enhancing agriculture, communities, and families using research-backed practices according to its website.
Rodtnick concluded that statewide competitions motivate participants: “This contest encourages our 4-H kids to express themselves through photography and try just a little bit harder since they know they’ll be competing against others.”
