SUBMISSION: Barbary Macaque Posing by Alyx Morgan

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission. Barbary Macaque Posing by Alyx Morgan. All Rights Reserved.

My photography stems from a couple of things:  moments of peace and reflection; and a love for unique angles of ‘ordinary’ things and places. I’m thrilled when others are able to get the same enjoyment from my images.

While many times I have a goal in mind when I venture out with my camera, lately I find myself more interested in ‘looking’ for the unexpected; just wandering out with my camera and letting myself be drawn to a shot.  Those unplanned moments usually wind up being my favorites.

I’ve been taking photos for nearly twenty years, now, but each year I learn new ways to capture and produce what I see in the world. So, my love for photography grows and grows.

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SUBMISSION: Withlacoochee River Landscape 7 by Liz Keeler

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Withlacoochee River Landscape 7 by Liz Keeler. All Rights Reserved.

I have always had a fascination of nature particularly geology, topography and cloud formations which is why I Iove landscape photography.  Growing up with black and white film cameras and darkrooms, the transition to black and white digital photography made sense to me.  Black and white photography appears to punctuate various shapes, forms and textures at play between light and shadow.  It allows me to focus on contrasting features in my subject without distracting color and, potentially discovering detail that may be lost.   As a photographer, I attempt to convey to the viewer that feeling or emotion I had at the time I depressed the shutter.  Photographing nature is a way for me to get the viewer involved in the beauty of our natural environment.   It is also a way for me to express my love of nature and why I believe it’s important to conserve our natural resources.

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SUBMISSION: The Last Unicorn by Michael Pliskin

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission. The Last Unicorn by Michael Pliskin. All Rights Reserved.

The first image is of two brown pelicans sitting on the eave of a building on a fishing pier, laughing it up and having the time of their lives.  I had never witnessed this kind of playfulness in these birds that I lovingly refer to as "Sea Turkeys."

The second image is of an endangered black rhino at the Los Angeles zoo.  I added the make-up in post production to make it look like another endangered animal - the unicorn. As far as I know, no living human has ever seen a real unicorn, so this could very well be a photograph of a real unicorn. Who is to know?

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SUBMISSION: A Humbled King by Terry Dushan

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

A Humbled King by Terry Dushan. All Rights Reserved.

As both daughter and wife of military officers I have spent a lifetime living in places stateside and abroad.  I have had the great privilege of becoming immersed in a wide range of cultures, customs, peoples and landscapes.  My mother was a fine art oil painter and from her I learned the critical skills of color and composition.  I have seen domestic animals, caged and free, on the streets of the world, worried for those uncared for and unfed, as well as the wild creatures both in their natural habitats and caged in our zoos.

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SUBMISSION: Uncia by Andrew Lincoln

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Uncia by Andrew Lincoln. All Rights Reserved.

The intent of my photographs is to showcase animals as individuals, rather than collective members of one particular species. By seeing non-human animals as individual, sentient beings, I feel it can help facilitate empathy and understanding from a human audience.

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SUBMISSION: Africa by Felix Concepcion

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Africa by Felix Concepcion. All Rights Reserved.

I remember my first drawing; it was of a woman turning into a mermaid in the moonlight. I guess you can say I was very influenced by the fantasy flicks of the 80's and 90's and fantasia. I always escape into my own world when I wanted to create or just go on an adventure. More so when the hard time came living in a broken home, parents who don’t understand how to reach you and even teachers and students who would rather bully you than to understand you. But these experiences helped me become stronger and release my emotions into my art. Even know as a grown man I want to share my world, my spirit with others and maybe my work can inspire the next young artist and my story to give hope to never apologize for being different.

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SUBMISSION: Walk On by Jennifer Taber

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Walk On by Jennifer Taber. All Rights Reserved.

My passion for nature, wildlife and travel along with 15 years in the creative field have lead me to where I’m at now. I am compelled to share the abundance of beauty we have in this world. The moment of awe I feel when encountering this beauty is what I wish my photography to convey. My goal is to inspire a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife and to encourage others to feel connected and participate in conservation.

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SUBMISSION: The Florida Panther by Jerry Biddlecom

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

The Florida Panther by Jerry Biddlecom. All Rights Reserved.

I always attempt to capture the inherent beauty in any of my subjects. Sometimes it can be found in a close-up of the face, at other times in the natural form discovered in movement.

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SUBMISSION: Woodstork by Linda Fleischman

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Woodstork by Linda Fleischman. All Rights Reserved.

Linda Fleischman lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. My passion is documenting nature and wildlife in its natural environment. I consider myself an advocate of environmental preservation and conservation. Through my photography I use my camera lens as a vehicle for inspiration & documentation of a world that needs to be cherished & preserved.

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SUBMISSION: Ivory by Salvatore Zagami

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Ivory by Salvatore Zagami. All Rights Reserved.

Purpose of my photograph is to capture the moment the animal interacts with its environment.

My focal point forces the spectator to contemplate the action of the animal in its environment.

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SUBMISSION: The Voyage, short film, by Cheryl Maeder

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

The Voyage, short film, by Cheryl Maeder. All Rights Reserved.

Link to video: https://vimeo.com/229758415

The Voyage is a metaphorical exploration paralleling the importance of life in all its forms.  This film is about the existence of magic and enchantment that surrounds us; the connectedness of all life forms.

Humans are not separate from Nature and other beings in the environment.  If we do not operate with respect and consciousness of all life on Earth, beings- such as butterflies- will soon become extinct.

I, Cheryl Maeder, was recently selected by PBS for:  Project Filmmaker, PBS South Florida.  I was interviewed by PBS and in the coming months, my films will be televised on PBS and Apple TV.  Project Filmmaker was funded by National Endowment for the Arts.

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SUBMISSION: Nature by Steve Conley

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Nature by Steve Conley. All Rights Reserved.

Nature is always an enticing subject, full of wonder and beauty, however capturing that sublime abstract element of reality truly infatuates me.

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SUBMISSION: Dry Land by Alice van Kempen

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Dry Land by Alice van Kempen. All Rights Reserved.

In Africa every 15 minutes an elephant is being slaughtered by poachers to supply the demand for ivory; that’s 96 beautiful creatures a day. Last year as of the middle of September there have been 36 elephants killed by poachers in the Kruger Park (South Africa) alone. The highest number since 1982. As an artist I want to try to inspire others to look at the beauty of our earth and it’s creatures and above all make them aware that some of these beautiful creatures might not make it into the new century if we don’t act now.  Once extinct they are gone forever.  Nature is my passion, my love and understanding of nature inspires me throughout my creative process. In wildlife photography the emphasis has generally been on capturing the dramatic moments of animals in action. I want to capture their personalities, in their natural environment, without interfering.

Minimal post-processing is applied to each photograph. the omission of color often gives a stronger image.

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SUBMISSION: Olive Baboon Family Portrait by Carolyn Hall

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Olive Baboon Family Portrait by Carolyn Hall. All Rights Reserved.

My first official safari was a trip to Tanzania this year. I now realize, my treks into the Everglades here in Florida are also safaris. Both environments have taught me much about the intelligence of all animals. And, their rights to exist unmolested are as valid as a human rights.

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SUBMISSION: Passing the stick by Douglas Carson

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission.

Passing the stick by Douglas Carson. All Rights Reserved.

I am an advanced amateur who enjoys still photography, both color and monochrome.  I prefer outdoor photography with available light and my favorite subjects include wildlife, landscapes and architecture.

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SUBMISSION: Leo by Catherine Vitale

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission. Leo by Catherine Vitale. All Rights Reserved.

I have always viewed life with an artist's eye. As a professional dancer and art & architecture lover, my life always involved studying movement and light. I am an admirer of the great works of Van Gogh, Picasso, Gaudi, Lloyd-Wright. I fell in love with making images as a child, using my mom's 'Brownie'. A true Sagittarian, I am prone to wanderlust, travelling extensively and am passionate about capturing the inherent beauty of our world. I have merged my life's passions: the arts, travel, and photography to create unique images that tell a story. I shoot with a digital SLR and creating images for theatre, dance, publications and private collections. I enjoy volunteering for philanthropic and non-profit organizations, specifically those involved with the Arts and children with special needs. If my images of our world's myriad landscapes, iconic architecture, and exquisite artists in motion inspire others to explore what lies beyond our own backyards, then I have done my job.

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SUBMISSION: Eagle Landing by Otis Phillips

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission. Eagle Landing by Otis Phillips. All Rights Reserved.

D Bar Photography specializes in fine art photography of landscapes, wildlife and the unusual.

Our motto is ‘Exceptionally outstanding to the eye’. Photographs are not enhanced or imposed with special effects. They are true to life experiences that happened in front of the lens. There are areas in the American Southwest where one can see majestic views, animals, and people/places. Our goal is to show the Southwest to those who have not or cannot experience its beauty.

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SUBMISSION: Grace by Phoenix Marks

ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2017 Submission. Grace by Phoenix Marks. All Rights Reserved.

Every time I go out to photograph nature I really find myself being called to go within. Photography is my way of communing with the Universe, Source or God ...whatever one may call that divine essence. My love, my divine call to art, is to truthfully capture those moments when my soul is touched by the extraordinary wonder and beauty seen through my camera's inner lens -- from colorful bugs, smaller than a fingernail's tip, to ever changing magnificent paintings presented every morning and night for humanity's delight. South Florida's wetlands and the Everglades in particular are my primary photography studio and sanctuary.

My approach to photography and life is grounded in my spiritual belief that "we are all one, we are all interconnected." As a nature photographer, the importance of nature is more than a scientific necessity for creating air, clean water and producing food. It is a sacred necessity for healing and bringing peace to the human soul.

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