Meet Our 2010 Judges

Michael Adkins lives, works and plays in Huntington, West Virginia. Michael is a fine art and people photographer but shoots all types of photography, but his approach to photography is a bit unusual. He visualizes the image that he wants to create long before he ever considers picking up the camera. This can be both rewarding and frustrating. He approachs each photo project using traditional artistic values. The comment from many people viewing his work for the first time is it looks more like a painting or illustration than a photo. Michael has been told that some of his work resembles that of the great illustration artist Norman Rockwell. This is the greatest complement that anyone can give as he is a long time fan of Norman Rockwell.

Michael is the president of the Ohio Valley Camera Club, a board member of Tri-State Arts Association, a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, and recently a new member of the Renaissance Gallery in Huntington where his permanent collection of fine art images are available to the public.

Michael was the recipient of the “Awards of Excellence” in the 66th annual Allied Artist of West Virginia Juried Exhibition and just recently was awarded the level of “Expert In Color” in the Ohio Valley Camera Club. He has been pre-juried into Tamarack of Beckley West Virginia, the showplace of West Virginia Artisans. His work can be viewed on line at the following web sites. For more information, visit mikesphotography.my-expressions.com and www.mikeadkinsphotography.com

Jerry Fritsch is a nature photographer from Cincinnati, Ohio. Although he specializes in wildlife photography, he does photograph other nature subjects as well. Recently, his work has focused on conservation and environmental issues facing endangered and other wildlife in the region. 

Jerry is a member of the North American Nature Photographers Association (NANPA), National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), National Association of Environmental Educators (NAEE), International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE), Tripod Camera Club (Dayton), Photography Club of Greater Cincinnati and Tri-State Photographic Society (Northern KY).

Jerry has been the recipient of numerous awards and was a finalist in competitions at the National Center for Nature Photography. His work has been featured in many exhibits around the Greater Cincinnati area, Columbus, and Toledo. Last summer, he was also a co-curator and participant the Nature Photographers from Greater Cincinnati exhibit at the National Center for Nature Photography.

To view his images, visit his website at: www.jerryfritsch.com.

Rick Jackson is a photographer from the Huntington, WV area who prides himself on enthusiasm and determination. Rick says that no passion returns favor without effort, so he puts in the hard work to get the best shots he believes are possible. 

He is a member of the Ohio Valley Camera Club based out of Huntington (WV) Museum of Arts and is among the six members who have attained Master Photographer status in the club’s 52 years. He also serves on the club’s executive board.

Some of his most proud achievements have been several Best Of Show Awards, including Best of Show for the year-end competition in 2008.

Marcy Nighswander has been teaching photojournalism at Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication since 1995. As an avid outdoor photographer, Marcy has travelled to many state and national parks.

She has also traveled to over thirty countries while covering the White House during the presidential administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Her work has been published in hundreds of magazines, newspapers and books, including four volumes of National Press Photographers Association’s annuals, The Best of Photojournalism.

In 1977 she was named the Ohio News Photographer of the Year, the first woman so honored. She has also worked for ten years on the photo staff of The Beacon Journal in Akron, Ohio, and for three years at The Cincinnati Post.

Gary Walker is a successful professional commercial photographer and a sought after photography teacher working in the Central Ohio area for over 25 years. His client list includes Abbott Foods, Turner Construction, and Franklin Park Conservatory.

Gary founded the Walker Photography School in 2001 and teaches basic through advanced digital imaging courses, digital workflow, image manipulation, and special project classes including portrait lighting, landscape, and product/still life photography.

Walker Photography School classes are held at the Cord Camera Centers classroom in Columbus.