By Andrew Lovdahl

Gargoyle staff reporter


Posted Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007, The OG, news

“Prayers for Peace,” which placed fourth overall in

the 2007 Best in Show Photographic Print Contest.

SOPHOMORE ISAAC CHAMBERS knows a thing or two about photography.

In his freshman year, he taught an Agora Days class on the subject, and his team's Computer Literacy 2 project was an encyclopedic collection of photography terms and techniques accompanied by a hardcover, professionally made photo book.

Now, Chambers' photo “Prayers for Peace” has earned him first place in the youth division and fourth place overall in the 2007 Best in Show Photographic Print Contest, an event co-sponsored by The News-Gazette, the Urbana Park District, and the Champaign County Camera Club.

Anyone can join the CCCC, but its members are not allowed to submit entries to contests such as this one.

Chambers' winning photo depicts members of McKinley Church lighting candles that represent “prayers for peace” in Iraq. Chambers is McKinley's event photographer.

“Since the beginning of the Iraq war, there has been this portion of the service where people go up to the front of the sanctuary to light a candle representing a prayer for peace in Iraq,” says Chambers.

“So, I suppose in many ways the photo is (indirectly) inspired by the war in Iraq. The reason why I like it so much is that the people in the photo all look so calm, like everything is going to be OK.”

There were a total of 608 entries in this year's contest, submitted by 249 participants. Besides “Prayers for Peace,” two other photos by Chambers, “Cat Scan” and “Contact,” won honorable mention in the youth division. Competitors were limited to three pieces each.

“There were quite a few good other youth photos, so first place in the youth division is pretty good,” Chambers says. “But in my mind, the real award is that I won fourth best in show out of all of the photos, even the ones taken by adults.”

In last year's contest, Chambers finished strong as well, winning second place in the youth division with “Sioux Falls on the Rocks.”

This year's winners were announced Saturday. The work of Chambers and the other competitors will be on display at Lincoln Square Village daily through this coming Saturday and from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday.

photos courtesy Isaac Chambers, imcgallery.com

“Sioux Falls on the Rocks,” which won second place in the youth division in 2006.

“Cat Scan,” which won honorable mention in the youth division in 2007.

“Contact,” which also won honorable mention in the youth division in 2007.