Many thanks to be made for photo contest contributions | Letter

I was honored and humbled by the first-place recognition of my “people” and “animal” entries in the recent Valley Record photo contest.

There are many who deserve praise for any success I may achieve: First, to God for the health, resources and opportunities to shoot pictures in such a beautiful area. A heartfelt thanks to my wife, Lisa, for her astute observations and candid recommendations. Big hugs and high fives to my soon-to-be UW graduate daughter, Ali (Alexandra) and Two Rivers graduate son, Nate (Nathaniel) for tolerating and usually giving into my endless requests for “just one more.”

Tons of appreciation are due longtime friends and advocates Sally Rackets, Lynne Creed, Joan Guenther and Don Detrick for their encouragement and support; and to local pros Mary J. Miller and (Snapshot) Sandy Horvath. I am forever grateful for their inspiration and willingness to share expertise.

A special debt of gratitude to Pastor Charlie Salmon from Church on the Ridge. In 2004 he noticed me eyeballing the church’s new (at the time) state of the art Nikon D70 digital camera with a rocking 6MP sensor. After talking with me for the first time for less than five minutes he asked, “How would you like to take it home for a week and try it out? Just bring it back next Sunday.” How could I refuse? That incredible act of trust and kindness changed an old film photographer’s life forever. No more film. Digital from then on.

I salute my fellow shutterbug enthusiasts who took the time, energy and effort to participate in this years’ contest. All of us will be better photographers in the future for having done so.

Finally, a sincere thanks to the Record’s publisher, editor and staff for holding and administering the contest again this year.

Danny Raphael

North Bend