Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 20, 1990 TAG: 9005210195
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But Michael Simpkins, who made photography his hobby a couple years ago, decided to enter the New River Current's "New River Faces and Places" amateur photo contest on the off chance he'd win first prize - a trip for two to Myrtle Beach.
He did.
"Oh boy, you don't know how good that is to hear," said the 37-year-old machinist when he found out earlier this week that he'd won. "That's the greatest news."
His photo was among more than 200 pictures sent in by Current readers over the past several weeks.
Free-lance photographer Jeri Rogers of Roanoke, and Hollins College photography professor Bob Sulkin were judges for the contest.
"It wasn't an easy decision, I'll tell you that," Rogers said. "Overall, I was really impressed with the human qualities."
The variety of landscapes, portraits and candid shots that were submitted all revealed an honest approach to daily rural living, Rogers said, and reflected some of the better qualities of American life.
For instance, Jason Speller's black and white of the Coca-Cola logo painted on the side of a brick building "had this quality about Americana. You could be in the Midwest or out in California." Speller took first place in the youth category.
Rogers said the entries were judged for excellence in theme and quality, technical ability and composition - all of which Simpkins displayed in his winning photo in the adult category.
"It was really a nicely done photograph," Rogers said.
"The colors were nice, and obviously there was a lot of thought behind it."
His photo shows the century-old Cecil's Chapel United Methodist Church near Hiawasee, Pulaski County, cast in the eerie blue light of a sinking moon on Easter morning.
Simpkins said he was the first to arrive at the church for the sunrise service earlier this year.
"I couldn't resist it. What I saw was so breathtaking I just decided to get my camera and give it a try."
So, at 5:30 a.m., he set his camera on a tripod and left the shutter open for five minutes - letting in as much moonlight as possible to expose the film.
The photo hung in his study for several months, where it reminded him how glad he was to be back home in the New River Valley.
Simpkins, born and raised in Pulaski County, moved to Lynchburg ten years ago to find work.
He later moved to Roanoke.
He and his wife moved back here in September.
"You don't know how good of a feeling it was to get back home," Simpkins said.
He entered the photo for that reason, and because he knew the church members would be surprised and proud if they saw the picture of their church in the newspaper.
by CNB