MEDIA RELEASE

A photo at Halemaumau Crater by Alvis Upitis, a West Hawaii professional photographer who is one of two judges for the “Images From the Edge” photo contest.

Hawai‘i National Park, HI – Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) was pleased to receive a whopping 178 photographic entries to their inaugural “Images From the Edge” photo contest.

On Saturday, April 28, the public is invited to view contestants’ photos in a special multi-image slideshow. The free event starts at 6 p.m. in the park’s Kilauea Visitor Center, with pupus on the lanai. In honor of National Park Week, which runs April 21 to 29, entry to the park is free all week.

“It never ceases to amaze me how many outstanding entries we get from amateur photographers—and these sets of images are at least as good, and in many cases better, than any I have judged,” said contest judge Rick Decker.

“Given the quality of the images and the many faces of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the slideshow will be a real eye-opener for people with respect to the park’s beauty and the wide variety of photo ops in the park,” Decker added. “I think that myself and Alvis Upitis, the other judge, have our work cut out for us.”

Photographers submitted in three levels: amateur-beginner, amateur-advanced, and professional. Photos subjects include everything from native birds to ‘ohelo berries, dramatic landscapes to fiery lavascapes, and of course the eruptive activity at Pu‘u ‘O‘o and Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

A photo from the collection of professional photographer Rick Decker who is co-judging the “Images From the Edge” photo contest.

The free slideshow is being produced by professional photographer Ken Goodrich of Hawai‘i Photo Retreat.

“Ken’s photo presentations are just wonderful,” FHVNP General Manager Julie Mitchell stated. “He creates a mood with music and the way the images morph one to the next. I know he’ll create a riveting slideshow featuring our contestants’ great photos.”

Immediately following the slideshow, the finalists will be announced during a ceremony with the contest judges.

Later, the finalists’ photographs will be exhibited from June 8-17 at the Volcano Art Center Gallery. Places and awards will be announced at the opening reception on Friday, June 8.

For more information, contact Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org