Shoot the Hills Photo Competition, April 20-22, 2012

Today’s blog entry was written by our son-in-law John Grogan

Time to dust off the lenses, charge the batteries and stretch out the tripod legs. There are only forty-one days left until the “Shoot the Hills” photography competition begins.

I am a frequent visitor to Hocking County, and I enjoy all my time there, whether it’s visiting Grandma, doing chores, or relaxing at the Marsh Hollow cabin. However, the twenty-fours that make up the photo competition rank amongst my most favorite time in the Hills.

It is during this competition that I get to get out and explore the surrounding lands. The competition covers several counties. Last year I believe I wandered through each one hunting for the perfect photo, and I didn’t even make a dent in discovering all the hidden nooks, crannies and wonders of the Hocking Hills. No matter how many years I spend exploring the Hills, there will always be new discoveries to make.

Honorable Mention-Landscape, Point & Shoot Division, 2008
by John Grogan
This will be my fourth year in the competition, and I still walk away amazed at the photos that are captured by all the competitors. The land appears to still be under the fading gloom of winter, yet the photographers manage to find the color and vibrancy of pre-spring that aren’t apparent until you really open your eyes and see.

First Place-Abstract, Point & Shoot Division, 2009
by John Grogan
This year, I will be doing some recon ahead of time, so that means spending another weekend in the hills exploring. I’m not sure if there is a better way to spend a weekend. I want to find the perfect spot to catch a sunrise or sunset. If I do my recon ahead of time, I can spend the rest of the competition time hunting for the ultimate abstract photo.

I would encourage everyone who likes to take photographs to enter into the competition and come see the Hills. When you look through a photo lens, with a purpose beyond just visiting, you will see the Hocking Hills like you never have before. The rocks will become still art. The wild flowers will pop out as sculpted masterpieces. And the wild life will seem to be eating at your feet. Even a footprint in the mud will be seen as a potential composition.

Give it a try. If nothing else, you will walk away with a new perspective of the Hills, and you will most likely end your weekend relaxed and with a smile.


For more information about the competition, please visit Friends of the Hocking Hills website.