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  • Duncan Art Guild's "Life through the Lens" photography Best of Show winner Debra McKInnon stands next to her winning piece "Mane Majesty." Rebeka Rutledge/The Duncan Banner

    Duncan Art Guild's "Life through the Lens" photography Best of Show winner Debra McKInnon stands next to her winning piece "Mane Majesty."
July 1, 2012

McKinnon surprised by award

Only second art show entry for winner

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — The Duncan Art Guild’s first photography show, “Life Through the Lens,” is only the second art show Debra McKinnon has entered, so taking home the “Best of Show” award was a pleasant surprise.

McKinnon’s winning photograph “Mane Majesty,” was chosen from 85 entries from 26 photographers. It depicts an aging horse that has been edited to bring forth some of the former glory the horse once had.

Glenn Filmore, director of Visions in the Paseo Art Gallery and judge for the show, had very high praise for the piece and even invited McKinnon to participate in a show at his gallery.

“This photo jumps out at you as soon as you walk into the room,” said Filmore. “The original photo was excellent; clear, sharp and the great contrast gave it a 3D feel.”

McKinnon said she was stunned to learn she had received “Best of Show,” something she hadn’t expected. To be recognized among peers and competitors meant a great deal.

“When you spend so much time with your camera and computer, to see that appreciated means a lot,” said McKinnon. “You know you love it but when others love it, that’s great.”

In choosing photos to enter in the show, McKinnon knew exactly what she wanted. “I like for them to tell a story,” she said Saturday morning. “This photo happened by accident when I was taking portraits of a girl whose family has a lot of horses, and I saw this old horse and just kept going back to him.”

She requested permission to take photos of the horse, which happened to be one of the family’s prized horses who had aged. Upon the family granting her request, McKinnon took photos in the barn yard and learned more about the animal’s history.

“This family flew the horse when they moved from Hawaii,” she said. “He’s very dear to their heart and they’re coming out (to the show) tonight to see the photo for the first time.”

Taking photos is something McKinnon has always enjoyed and she turned it into a part-time business about five years ago. She now takes photos for pleasure and for pay with Peepers Photography.

“I used to oil paint when I was younger and then I didn’t have the room to do that,” McKinnon said. “So, I picked up a camera and it replaced (the painting).”

The opportunity to be creative is what draws her into working with a camera and doing computer editing. McKinnon doesn’t want to just take a portrait, she wants to create something special.

“I want every portrait to be a work of art,” she said.

Other winners in the “Life through the Lens” show include:

- People’s Choice: “Yellow Days” by Lisa Scifres.

- Pets and Animals: 1st, “Protect Me” by Debbie Duggar; 2nd, “Host! Bird of Prey” by Debbie Duggar; 3rd, “Breaking Dawn” by Tim Yancy.

- People and Portraits: 1st, “Rustic Romance” by Marilyn Kitzrow; 2nd, “Rough Times: Union Square” by Robin Emerson; 3rd “Dark Magic Beauty” by Debra McKinnon; Honorable mention, “Oakley Kay” by Diane Fancher.

- Landscapes and Still Life: 1st, “Wichita Kansas” by Margaret Schick; 2nd, “Wichita Wildlife Refuge - Cache, OK” by Sharon James; 3rd, “Star on Travertine Island” by Martha Burger; Honorable mentions, “Rock Mountain National Park” by Rob Schick, “Pink Flowers” by Diane Fancher, “Dad’s Old Truck” by Kandy Lovan and “West Village” by Robin Emerson.

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