Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Historic Ithaca's 2009 Barn Survey photo contest

Red barn in Groton
Red barn in Groton framed print

It was announced that I am the Grand Prize winner of this Barn Survey photo contest! I get to sleep in the barn for the duration of the winter,in the hay, free!! ;)
Shown above is the winning entry. It is an old barn with various additional add-on structures. I was told by the owner while I was shooting this scene that they plan on burning down this wonderful gem by the years end. hopefully, the county can intervene and help keep this preserved. It would be a shame to lose such wonderful pieces of our great agricultural history such as this.

Here is a bit of the letter informing me of my photograph entry.

"Dear Mr. Heller,

Congratulations! I am pleased to inform you that one of your entries has been selected for Historic Ithaca’s 2009 Barn Photo Contest. Your photograph was selected as the Grand Prize winner, for a photograph with artistic merit that captures vital information about the barn’s use, construction, or relationship with the landscape. Your photo beautifully shows the growth over time of the barn complex. The winning photographers will be recognized at the 12th Annual New York State Conference on the Preservation of Historic Barns, on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Over 70 photographs were submitted and all of the entries will be displayed during the lunch break at the conference."

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow Wow Wow! CONGRATULATIONS Gary!!! What an honor. A historical photograph has to be precise in detail and yet be able to give it a noble look that is timeless. This award only underscores what your fan base already knows. You are one very talented and stand-out photog. *high 5*

Daryl said...

How cool! And it is a really sharp, crisp shot .. I hope they dont burn it down, its so lovely. When I was a young thing I dreamt of finding an old barn to convert into a home .. so how come I ended up living in a teensy tiny NYC brownstone apartment?

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

How exciting! Congratulations Gary. You and your work stand above the rest.

Kathleen said...

A well-deserved accolade, to be sure. Congratulations!

If you decide not to spend the winter in the barn, may I take your place? I'm looking for a location to train for the Iditarod. ;^D

Oh, and what a fantastic banner.

Genuine pleasure to follow your blog!

Sharon McPherson said...

Well done!!!! Woot. Woot.

You must feel thrilled!

I would also frame the letter.

I remember you posting about entering a Barn competition ... I did have my fingers crossed for you. :)

drollgirl said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! and i hope they give you a million dollar prize! or at least half a million? :)

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Congratulations! You are so talented... this picture is incredible xo

Valerie said...

Congratulations, it is indeed a fine picture. And a fine barn, of course.

ds said...

You will think this strange, but I grew up on a farm with a barn that looked very similar to this one; the silo is exact! Our barn did burn down when I was a child (of "natural" causes--a rat chewed through an electrical cord), but I still have the memories. I hope this one can be preserved. Barns are a lot more than pieces of old wood!
Congratulations on the award!

Tess Kincaid said...

Yippee!! Congratulations, Gary. Fun, fun news. And not surprising, since the photo is brilliant.

(I know. I'm still wearing the red gown. I like it so much, I'm leaving it on for a while.)

Tess Kincaid said...

PS...how resourceful of you to use the motorcycle parts! I'm not sure who that is on the patio, but they're still laying there.

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Congratulations Gary! The photo is amazing. That old barn looks as if it has a thousand stories to tell inside it. Your photos always have that extra edge to them.They are always so rich and full. Are you going to sleep in the barn? Hee, hee. I'd love to read that Blog entry. xx

Cindy said...

Congrats, Gary,

As I said before, a great picture. Let's hope they will decide to step in and save the barn. But hay, there's always that opportunity to stay the winter and bar the bulldozers from having their way!:)

Alexandra MacVean said...

This is a FABULOUS photo! Of course, I am partial to red barns. LOVE LOVE LOVE red barns. :)

gh said...

Thanks so much for your support and good words everyone. I do hope they can manage to keep this barn around especially if I'm to sleep in it during the winter. . . .

Kappa no He said...

Congratulations! Wow amazing photographs. And your blog header is probably the best self portrait I've ever seen. I'll be back.

terrie

James Parker said...

Like Sheila said...WOWOWOWOW. Kudos, Gary. I've been browsing back thru previous blogs and really enjoying your marvelous photos..the moon shots are great!

Hilary said...

Oh excellent! Congratulations.. it's a wonderful shot. I'm happy for you. :)

Victoria Bennett Beyer said...

Congrats!

diane said...

OMG Gary, that is so cool! Wouldn't it be great if your photo is what makes the difference and saves the barn from a fiery end?
Congratulations!

In regards to Fritz: *snort*

Unknown said...

Congratulations Gary! And I might add it is so well deserved. I am mighty pleased and happy to see you receive recognition for your beautiful and technically perfect work! Sure hope they don't burn that barn down.

Cheers!
Julie
Julie Magers Soulen Photography
Blog of Note