More than 140 photographs were entered by 40 talented photographers in this year's photography contest.
Bruce L. Hogle of Leawood was the grand prize winner in this year’s contest. The winning image was taken at a controlled burn at the Flying W Ranch. Even though the image is a silhouette, the cowboys are still recognizable. You guessed it – Jim and Josh Hoy.
“Jim and Josh were doing a safety watch with several other cowboys and cowgirls. I’d known them for a few years, and when I saw them side-by-side, I was compelled to take a photo. I only got one shot then they were on the move,” Hogle said.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the many times I was invited to the Flying W Ranch over the years. Josh and Jim were good guys, and always kind to me. They are sorely missed,” he said.
Hogle spends much of his time in the Flint Hills every spring to photograph burning.
“I’ve been able to meet a few other ranchers in the Flint Hills, all of whom have helped educate me about the importance and significance of this annual ritual.”
He said this image of Jim and Josh was a once in a lifetime opportunity that he will always remember. A photography contest judge said that this image was a very significant image, especially this year to honor the cowboy legacy Jim and Josh Hoy left behind. The lucky shot was taken with a hand-held Nikon D 700.
Category winners include: Landscape – Amanda Buus Thomsen, Kiowa; Livestock – Holly Mettling, Bogue; People – Sheridan Wimmer-Doyle, Manhattan; Sunrise or Sunset – Scott Bean, Manhattan; Wildlife – Alan Tajchman, Manhattan; KLA Member – Shea Baird, Levant; Youth – Hadley Gfeller, Junction City; and Honorable Mention – Chelsea Weber, Cedar Point.
Kansas native and National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson was the special guest judge this year. L’image is the exclusive sponsor of the contest. The locally owned photo printing and picture framing store in Wichita has been in business for more than 25 years, specializing in their ready-to-hang plaque mount. Prizes are awarded to the top 10 winning photographers. All winning entries can be viewed on RTK’s Facebook page or website www.ranchlandtrustofkansas.org.
RTK is an agricultural land trust affiliate of the Kansas Livestock Association, with a mission to preserve Kansas’ ranching heritage and open spaces for future generations through the conservation of working landscapes.