The Pup and I are heading to the CNPA convention tomorrow.

[Clovishound]

One of the highlights is the "Members Choice" contest. It's an annual contest among the Carolina Nature Photographers Association members where the members vote on the images. We have around 1,000 members in 13 chapters throughout North and South Carolina. The amount of talent is awe inspiring, and even winning an honorable mention is considered a badge of honor. The results will be revealed tomorrow morning. While I have hopes for my entries, I am really hoping that the Pup does well. I did well last year, but for better or worse, that means from now on, I have to compete in the top tier.

 

[Needa]

Best of Luck to the both of you.

 

[BF Hammer]

Break a leg! ...uh no, that's for a stage show.
Knock 'em dead! ...hmm, too violent by today's standards.
Do your best and you win the life experience! ...ehh, least likely to cause trouble.

 

[Clovishound]

Well, I just got a text from a friend that was attending the pre convention presentations today. He said that both the Pup and I had winners. We'll find out tomorrow what they were. We both had multiple entries.

 

[Marilynne]

Congratulations!

 

[Clovishound]

Just got back. The Pup got an honorable mention in the "Small Stuff", macro, category. I got a 3rd place in the same category, although we were in different tiers, so there was no direct competition. I felt that the image I won with was actually one of the weakest of the images I submitted. My best one was in the "Bird" category, which has some really, really stiff competition.

They had some good presentations today, and I got a chance to talk to one of the Nikon reps about some of their products. We have another full day tomorrow, but likely won't make the drive up and back for the half day on Sunday.

 

[nikonbill]

Sounds like you and the pup had a great experience. Congratulations

 

[Patrick M]

Well, I just got a text from a friend that was attending the pre convention presentations today. He said that both the Pup and I had winners. We'll find out tomorrow what they were. We both had multiple entries.

Congratulations

 

[Robin W]

Congratulations! That's awesome! I hope you can share your winning photos with us, would love to see them!

 

[Clovishound]

Well, you've seen mine before, but here it is.

We also had a "print" competition which sends prints to a multi organizational contest with the PSA (no , not the test at the urologists!). It was last minute and the Pup and I scrambled to print a few images that hadn't been submitted for the Member's Choice. After seeing the quality of the prints displayed, I didn't think we stood a chance. They weren't ranked, but the Pup and I both had images chosen. These are my 2.

 

[Clovishound]

Here is the Pup's Member's Choice winner:

And this was her entry for the "altered reality" category for the PSA contest.

 

[Clovishound]

Here is the link to the 2026 winners. The page has low resolution versions on the page, click on it and higher resolution image pop up. I believe you can access it without being logged in as a member. FYI, tier 1 is for professionals, and those who have won 1st place in a category or higher, or have won multiple prizes in past contests. Tier 2 is for those who don't fit the previous criteria.

Member's Choice 2026 winners