A photo of a hound with a sly grin on a fall day moved judges to select it as Best in Show for the 12th-annual Teen Photo Contest at the Fond du Lac Public Library. This photo was taken by Kelly Odekirk, who earned a $250 gift card for taking the top spot. Odekirk is a seventh-grader at Trinity Lutheran School-Waucousta.

Odekirk’s entry was one of many from teens across Fond du Lac County that were sent to the Fond du Lac Public Library. Teens could enter in one of three categories: Joy, Light & Shadow, and Anything Goes. 

Earning Honorable Mention awards in those categories were:

• Joy: Brooklyn Wells, eight-grader, Woodworth Middle School
• Light & Shadow: Elliana Skrenes, seventh grader, Sabish Middle School
• Anything Goes: Trista Yogerst, senior, Winnebago Lutheran Academy

All four winners will receive their photographs professionally framed, courtesy Gallery & Frame Shop in downtown Fond du Lac. All entries are on display in the Langdon Divers Community Gallery from now through June 2.

A public reception will be held Thursday, May 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.. 

Contest judges were Lora Vahlsing, Casey Fiebig and Stephanie McGuire. 

“I thought the dog portrait stood out as the overall best in show,” said McGuire of Gallery & Frame Shop.  “The photo is clear and in focus. There is great use of space with the off-centered subject, which leaves room to appreciate the texture of the leaves. I also feel that the leading lines of the horizon and shadows balance the dogs posture and backwards glance. Great use of color and contrast in this photo.”

Other judges agreed.

“I really felt like it covered all of the categories in this year’s competition,” said Fiebig, a professional photographer. “The composition, color, and depth are done very well.”

“This photo came together in a cohesive way to express the joy of the dog,” artist Vahlsing added. “The composition, repetition of leaves and the contrast in the scene work beautifully.”

The Langdon Divers Community Gallery is open seven days a week, whenever the Fond du Lac Public Library is open at 32 Sheboygan St. The gallery may be found off the atrium at the south entrance to the Main Library. 

For updates on Langdon Divers Community Gallery, follow the gallery on Facebook at www.facebook.com/langdondivers. Volunteer curator Mel Kolstad may be contacted at [email protected].

Fond du Lac Public Library operates two locations: the Main Library at 32 Sheboygan St. in downtown Fond du Lac, and the Allen J. Buechel Branch at 1139 E. Johnson St. near Festival Foods. The main library is open daily: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Chapter 52 Bookstore at 52 Sheboygan St. is open Monday through Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Allen J. Buechel Branch is open weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about any of these locations, visit fdlpl.org.