Competition Theme: Open within the past three (3) years

The judge is Mary Louise Ravese.

BIO:

Mary Louise is founder and owner of Bella Vista Photography in Raleigh, NC. For over 25 years, Mary Louise has specialized in photography from locations across the U.S. and throughout the world. Her favorite subject matter includes country landscapes, nature close-ups, interesting architectural details and abstracts. She draws inspiration from a variety of visual arts to produce photographs often described as “painterly”. Her photographs are about intriguing juxtapositions of vibrant colors, contrasting tones, distinctive shapes, and unique textures. Her ambition is to incorporate the beauty of painting in the clarity of photography.

Trained in the use of both 4×5 and 35mm cameras, today Mary Louise shoots with full-frame DSLR cameras, producing photographs in color and black and white. She studied photography through the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz extension programs, and the Washington School of Photography. She is a member of the North American Nature Photography Association and the Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association. She is also a juried member of the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen where in 2020 she was awarded with the distinction of “Master Artisan in Fine Art Photography” by a jury panel, in recognition of achievement in the three benchmarks of excellence in craftsmanship, resolved design and unique voice. Her fine art photography is in private, university and corporate collections in over 40 states and is exhibited nationally through art shows, galleries and shops. Her images have been used in calendars, magazines, books and websites including various projects with National Geographic maps.

Mary Louise is a regular speaker and competition judge for photography clubs in the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic region. In addition, she has spoken at photography conferences such as the annual Nature Visions Photo Expo in Northern Virginia and the Florida Camera Club Council annual meeting in Ft. Meyers, Florida. She enjoys teaching on a wide range of photography topics and leads online and in-person classes, as well as on-location photography workshops at destinations across the country and around the world.

Additional information can be found on her website at www.bellavistaphotography.com.