The South Arkansas Arts Center has announced that its upcoming photography competition, The Viewfinder, will be held in the Merkle and Price Galleries Feb. 8 through 25 with an artists' reception scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
This year's event is sponsored by the "El Dorado Insider" and The Diamond Agency.
Judging this year's competition is Dero Sanford, a professional photographer specializing in custom advertising work. Sanford owns ThinkDero, Inc. in Little Rock and his work can be seen on his website, www.thinkdero.com.
Sanford said he loves adventure, photography, good film and spending his days with his son, Solomon. Having graduated from Oklahoma State University, Okmulgee, with a degree in photography, he quickly found himself immersed in the advertising scene. Working for various magazines, agencies and companies he began to build an impressive client base. He is very personable, and his passion for fun, painless photography can be seen in all of his work.
"I love the story of a photograph. Figuring out the why and how the photographer chose his subject, light, composition, timing and other elements are all part of the interpretation of the story that was captured," Sanford said, describing what he'll be looking for in a winning photo.
Call for entry deadline is Feb. 4. A total of $1,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. The full list of rules and eligibility for entering photographs in the competition can be found at saac-arts.org.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on The Viewfinder, see the website or call the office at 870-862-5474. SAAC is located at 110 E. 5th St. in El Dorado.