JUDGES

IRENE OWSLEY, Freelance Photographer

Irene specializes in the outdoors and travel, particularly in northern regions. Her work has appeared in such magazines as "Canoe & Kayak," "Sierra, National Parks," "Earthwatch," and "Natural History" and in the publications of several conservation organizations. Most recently, she was awarded an artist's residency in Southeast Alaska's Tongass National Forest.

Irene serves on the national board of ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) and is a founding board member of FotoWeek DC. Currently, she is shooting the wild areas of metropolitan Washington, DC, particularly along the Potomac River. Owsley has exhibited her work throughout metro Washington, DC and has been profiled in "Rangefinder," "Photographer's Forum," and "Nikon World" magazine.

PETER GARFIELD, Award Winning Advertising and Magazine Photographer

Over the last 20 years Peter has shot over 100 "Washingtonian Magazine" Covers, along with covers for "Smithsonian Magazine," "U.S News & World Report," and the "Washington Post Magazine." After graduating from American University, Peter abandoned his degree in political science for a life in photography. Throughout the years he has always maintained his relationship with his fine art.

Peter has lectured on photography at The National Museum of American Art, The Hirshhorn Museum, and been a featured speaker in the Smithsonians Masters of Photography series. Peter has gallery representation in Washington D.C., Lewes, Delaware, Great Barrington and Boston, Massachssetts. He has continued to create portfolios emphasizing visual sensuality and graphically strong images.

The serach for visual beauty in the power and mood of a weather front passing over the Grand Canyon, and the impending crash of an individual ocean wave heading for the viewer are all an homage to the painter Auguste Renoir who said, "A picture should be somthing likeable joyous and pretty. There are enough ugly things in life for us to not add to them."

STACY GOLD, Editor

Stacy is the Editor of the Multimedia Archive at National Geographic where she edits photos and video to add to the Society's permanent collection. During her 17 year career at the National Geographic Society, Stacy has held several positions including caption writer, picture researcher, sales account executive, and traveling editor. Her credit appears in several National Geographic publications including the award winning book "Polar Obsession." Before coming to National Geographic, Stacy worked in various photographic labs including Reuters, Inc. specializing in printing for professional photographers. She earned her B.S. degree in Journalism from The Pennsylvania State University. In her spare time she enjoys quality time with her children, volunteering for community services, and assistant teaching at National Geographic Photo Camps.