Photographers and artists of all kinds often find inspiration in places far from home. They’ll have amazing portfolios of images from all around the world, but virtually nothing of their own backyard. But for this local contest, we ask photographers to look near them for inspiration. It could be in the fields of a nearby small town, in the semi-urban setting of our downtowns, or in their own homes – just so the images were taken in the Chippewa Valley within the past two years. This season’s entries showed there is no shortage of visual inspiration in our area as we received all kinds of photos ranging from music and sports to nature and politics.

As tough as it always is, we selected some favorites. This year, all seven photos are equal, no first place, second, or third. Just some good shots. All six of these photographers will receive cash and local gift certificates from us here at Volume One. But there were several images we liked besides these, and that’s why we’ve posted ALL the digital photos we received via email on our website right here. It’s one wide-ranging gallery of life in the Chippewa Valley.

Thanks to all the photographers who found that local inspiration and took the time to submit images to the contest. We hope to see all your names again next year.

    Click the page links below to see the winners ...

“Through the Roof” by Kevin Szymanski. Kevin and his friend Sam often go on photo shoots to wherever the road takes them. This is Sam, he is jumping. Taken somewhere in Seymour in May of 2008.

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“Wishing for Home” by Isabelle Mondelaers. Taken on a morning in December of 2007 along the Chippewa River. It was Isabelle’s first Wisconsin winter, and she found herself often wishing for her Belgian home.

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“The Showdown” by Jim Mischefske. Taken on a dock in Lake Wissota in the summer ‘07 with his dog, Boston.

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“Untitled” by Kerri Kiernan. Taken at Mount Simon Park in Eau Claire in September of 2008. Part of her BFA senior exhibit.

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“They Wear Red on Marston St.” by Emily Hazen. Box Elder beetles meeting at the corner for a get-together, taken on Martson St. in Eau Claire.

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“Threepenny Whores” by Hanna Agar. Taken in February of 2008 during the UWEC theatre production of the Threepenny Opera in Eau Claire.

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“Decorative Fish” by Kerri Kiernan. A photo of a jar and fish installation taken in October of 2008 in Eau Claire. Part of her series, “Freeing the Goldfish.”

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