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. Again this year, all 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 at VolumeOne.org. 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 through the following pages to see the winners!

“Fiesta Guest” by Lauren Richards. A determined little inchworm on a Mexican blanket during a classic summer day at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire in June of 2009.

“Hammer Time” by Lauren Richards. The elite race of WORS (Wisconsin Off Road Series) mountain bike race at Lowes Creek County Park in July of 2009.

“Madison Street Bridge” by Travis Dewitz. A train streaks across the Madison Street bridge in downtown Eau Claire on a cold, wet night in February 2008.

“Bathe” by Taylor Lamberty. The first sunburn of the year on a dock at Lake Wissota in June of 2009.

“Sara” by Taylor Lamberty. Playing in the leaves at Chippewa Falls’ Irvine Park in October of 2008.

“Summer Lawn Chair” by Jim Mischefske. A backyard on Eau Claire’s East Hill in summer of 2009.

“Camouflage Costumed Chameleon Clowns” by Hanna Agar. The Viennese Ball, Spring of 2009.

“Cinder City Days” by Travis Dewitz. The setting sun lights up the sky in tones of pink that match the light of Cinder City Days in Altoona. June of 2009.

“God Sees All” by Tina Star. Part of a BFA series exploring Catholicism and the role of women. December of 2008.