Below are some of Jim’s awards and recognitions of his photography.
“Uncle Dudley is Out of his Gourd” Honorable Mention, open color category. Chester County Camera Club, November, 2024
Jim purchased a smoke machine called “Smoke Ninja”, and this was his first time experimenting with it. Of course, he had to find a willing model, and Uncle Dudley was up for the challenge.
“Can’t Stop the Feeling” First Place, assigned monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, September, 2024
The assigned category for the competition was “Long Exposure Magic”. Jim used a technique called rear-curtain sync to create this image. A large softbox light was set up to the right of Betsy, providing continuous light as she danced through the frame while the shutter was open. Then a burst of flash from a speedlight set up to the left resulted in a slice of focus.
“Here’s to Better Days” First Place, assigned color. Chester County Camera Club, November, 2023
The assigned category for the competition was “Ha ha, that’s so funny”. When Jim told Betsy she had to get in a trash can, she said that was going over the line as our trash cans are too stinky. So he came up with the idea of getting a brand new, non-stinky trash can at Home Depot. When he set up the speedlight during a test shot, he was amazed by the really cool reflective pattern that emulated out from the can – an added bonus. Now, how to get Betsy in the can? Well, she didn’t fit in a normal crouching-down position, so she had to fold her legs up behind her, and Jim lowered her into the can. A pillow was placed in the bottom of the can to make the awkward pose a bit more comfortable. Betsy did her own hair and make-up for the shot. After he took the shot, Jim realized that he could not lift her back out of the can. The solution was to gently tip the can over, then drag it off behind her. Betsy was only slightly bruised, and the trash can survived without a dent and was returned to Home Depot intact.
“All Alone” First Place, assigned monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, November, 2023
Jim created this image for the Chester County Camera Club Summer Challenge that called for photographers to illustrate the concept ‘Destination Isolation”. He got Betsy to pose for his idea of the image. And who but Jim would rig up a speedlight on a light stand in their shower to throw a spotlight on the toilet?
“Homesteader” Honorable Mention, assigned color. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2023
The assigned category for the competition was “wrinkles”. Jim took this image in Cuba of this beautiful woman gazing out from her one-room house in Trinidad. One has to wonder what is she looking at…what is she thinking?
“Let it Rain” Second Place, open monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, May, 2023
To create this moody image, Jim posed Betsy behind a piece of plate glass and sprayed it with water to create the illusion of her looking out a rain-soaked window.
“Skewed” First Place, monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, March, 2023
This unique location in Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park was mentioned in a presentation by our photo friend, Frank Smith. The next day, Jim and Betsy explored a relatively unknown location about a mile into the woods to find this amazing former trolley tunnel.. The type of architecture is called skewed, which resulted in these amazing repeating curves.
“Up on the Roof” First Place, assigned color. Chester County Camera Club, May, 2023
The assignment for the camera club competition was “Unusual Point of View”. This was entered expecting to get a laugh, not a ribbon. Jim sat up on the roof wearing clown shoes looking down at Betsy and a friend enjoying a summer afternoon with iced tea and wresting doggie friends. It certainly was a different point of view.
“Sound of Silence” First Place, open monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, December, 2022
Dramatic lighting sets the mood for this simple yet moody image.
“Dark Cafe” Third Place, open color. Chester County Camera Club, May, 2022
Jim has been working on a project that involves creating images that represent the mood and feeling of a song. He set up some lanterns and used some creative lighting to transform our sunroom into a dark cafe. And of course he found a cooperative model!
“Broken Keys” Second Place, Assigned monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, January, 2022
The assigned category was “Wabi Sabi”. Jim took this image at Nervous Nellies Jams and Jellies, a quirky shop and oddity attraction near Stonington, Maine.
“Engulfed” Third Place, Open Monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2020
Taken at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Jim was intrigued by the reflections and the cloud formations in this modern building.
“Blinded by the Light” Second Place, Open Monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, September, 2020
In the hotel lobby while on one of our trips.
“Go Fly a Kite” First Place, Open Monochrome Print. Chester County Camera Club, March, 2020
Taken on a trip to the Oregon Coast.
“Something’s Coming” First Place, Open Monochrome Print. Chester County Camera Club, January, 2020
These dramatic clouds closed in at sunset in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I like the ominous feeling as they begin to surround the old house.
“Nobska Lighthouse” First Place, Assigned Monochrome Print. Chester County Camera Club, January, 2020
Nobska Lighthouse at night is a dramatic sight, and I chose to shoot it on an angle to add some dynamic tension to the image. Some long-exposure clouds added to the effect.
“Going Solo” First Place, Assigned Monochrome Projected. Chester County Camera Club, January, 2020
We enjoy the spectacular experience of the snow geese migration each winter at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, and have many photographs to document thousands of snow geese and tundra swans. For this image I chose to capture a single snow goose and blur the motion using a slow shutter speed.
“Night Rider” First Place, Assigned Monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, November, 2019
I only had a quick second to get my camera ready to capture this silhouette of the cyclist on the UMass campus while attending a photo conference in 2019.
“Baby Mine” Honorable Mention, Open Color. Chester County Camera Club, November, 2019
Sunset in Chobe national Park in Botswana provided some wonderful photo opportunities.
“Hungry, Hungry Hippo” First Place, Open Monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2019
We were up-close and personal to this intimidating hippo while on a river safari on the Chobe River in Botswana in May, 2019.
“Twilight Zone” Second Place, Open Monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2019
Some gradient tones were added to this architectural scene taken at the University of Massachusetts when we attended a photo conference in the summer of 2019.
“Waiting” First Place, Assigned Monochrome. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2019
This lone man stood out in Central Park while surrounded by throngs of people.
“Pigeon and the Man” First Place, Open Color. Chester County Camera Club, April, 2019
This dapper gentleman caught my eye while exploring the streets of Manhattan.
“Tick Tock” Honorable Mention, Assigned Category. Chester County Camera Club, March, 2019
We purchased these clock gears at Renningers Antique Market – perfect subject for a triptych.
“Somebody’s Watching Me” Second Place, Open Category. Chester County Camera Club, January, 2019
In South Dakota we enjoyed a Rapid City attraction, Art Alley, a living tribute to freedom of expression with many free-form graffiti murals.
“On the Water” Second Place, Assigned Category. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2018
“Ebony and Ivory” Second Place, Assigned Category. Chester County Camera Club, April, 2018
The harsh sunlight created fascinating patterns of light and shadow in the corn crib at Valley Forge Park.
“Will the Circle be Unbroken?” First Place, Assigned Category. Chester County Camera Club, March, 2018
A unique side-angle approach to this sculpture at Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, PA created a compelling image for the assigned category – “fill the frame”.
“Hand in Hand” Second Place, Open Category. Chester County Camera Club, March, 2018
At the busy Grand Central Station in New York City, crowds of people walked into the terminal with a strong back-light creating interesting shadows. I waited for the right moment and captured this tender family moment, including two people in motion going in opposite directions.
“In the Navy” Third Place, Open Category. Chester County Camera Club, February, 2018
This ship model in juxtaposition with the tiled ceiling created fascinating patterns at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD
“Come on Up” First Place, Open Category. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2017
Angles and lines accentuate the classic architecture in Havana, Cuba.
“Let it Rain” Honorable Mention, Open Category. Chester County Camera Club, October, 2017
Littleton, New Hampshire is the hometown of the author of Pollyanna, and the town puts on a happy face. Colorful umbrellas adorn the walkways, and the town’s motto is “Be Glad”. It is difficult not to smile in this happy little town!
“Come Dance With Me” Second Place, Open Category. Chester County Camera Club, February, 2017
On a trip to Cuba in January 2017, we were treated to a private performance by the renowned dancers from Danza Combinatoria. Beautiful widow light captured the concentration and grace of this dancer.
“Window to the World” Honorable Mention, Chester County Camera Club, September, 2016
On a trip to Arizona in April, 2016, we visited Antelope Canyon. A slot canyon carved by water, it is today a beautiful winding walkway through colorful rocks. But it still can be dangerous should a flash flood come through – there is no quick escape from inside the slot.
“Spotlight Images on Aminus3 – A global community of photographers.
“Redbud Riot” Third Place Prints, Assigned Category – motion blur. Chester County Camera Club, April, 2016
“A Hazy Shade of Winter” Third Place, Assigned Category – Bridges. Chester County Camera Club, February, 2016
“Shadows & Light” First Place, Assigned Category – Shadows. Chester County Camera Club, November, 2015
While photographing the Philadelphia Naval Yard, we made a stop at the headquarters for Urban Outfitters. A creatively refurbished factory, the premises include a dog park for employees who bring their dogs to work, and these wonderful picnic tables.
“The White Dress” First Place, Open Category, Chester County Camera Club. November, 2015.
Another find at Urban Outfitters at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. This dress in the window caught my eye.
“Tunnel of Lights” Second Place, Chester County Camera Club, April, 2015
“Goin’ Home” Second Place, Chester County Camera Club, September, 2014
Taken at a reenactment of the Battle of the Brandywine in Pennsylvania.
“Winter Trees on Parade” Second Place, Chester County Camera Club, February, 2014
We visited Valley Forge National Park after a snowstorm that left some snow plastered to the side of the trees. This particular grove of trees appeared to be marching toward us – perhaps the ghosts of the soldiers that wintered here in 1777.
“Sorcerer’s Apprentice” Second Place, Chester County Camera Club, May, 2013
“A House is Not a House” First Place, Chester County Camera Club, May, 2013
The assigned category was “humor”. we enjoyed a laugh when we came upon this house for sale while on a bike ride along the New River Trail in Virginia.
“Bare Trees” Second Place, Chester County Camera Club, February, 2012
We came across these gnarled trees during a hike in Virginia.
“Night in the City” Second Place, Chester County Camera Club, January, 2012
“Piece of the Sky” Third Place, Chester County Camera Club, October, 2011
“Western Union” First Place, Chester County Camera Club, October, 2011
“Name Please“ Photo of the Year, Chester County Camera Club, June, 2011
At the end of each year, members of the Chester County Camera Club vote on their favorite image from all the first place awards given, and Jim was honored to receive first place!
“It’s Not Easy Leaving Home” First Place, Chester County Camera Club, May, 2011
A reenactment was taking place at the Strassburg Railroad in Lancaster County, PA. I was struck by the melancholy look on this passenger – as if he was wondering if he would ever see his family again.
“Backwash” First Place, Chester County Camera Club, January 2010
“The Endless Gaze” Second Place, Chester County Camera Club, January 2009
“Lava Life” Third Place, Chester County Camera Club, November 2008
Jim’s first ribbon at the Chester County Camera Club. Fantastic lava formations covered a hillside in Volcanoes national Park on the Big Island in Hawaii.
One Response to Photo Recognitions – Jim Wilson