The Summer Shutters 24-Hour Digital Photo Contest came to a close with the announcement of the winning images on Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m. The contest was organized by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association and modeled after Justin Rudd’s “Say Cheese! Long Beach” contest held earlier in the year. From noon on June 21 to noon on June 22, 56 photographers shot images between Orange Avenue and the L.A. River, 33rd Street to 45th Street, as well as Scherer Park. There were 236 images considered in a variety of categories.
Long Beach resident Peter Krok won Best Overall Image with his night shot of 3777 Long Beach Blvd., the Howard CDM building. The image represents the old and new in Bixby Knolls. Howard CDM has been quietly giving Long Beach Boulevard a major facelift over the last few years. A number of buildings have been purchased and redone but have kept the integrity of the mid-century architecture of Bixby Knolls. The photo’s being shot at night is the metaphor of the quiet progress and contribution to the area by Howard CDM.
The Best Overall Image, Best Neighborhood, Best Business Photo, and Best Hidden Gem, Best People, Best Nature, and Best Night photo categories were voted on by BKBIA board members and event sponsors including staff from Tuttle Cameras. 120 votes were cast for the top 3 “People’s Choice” including members of the Bixby Knolls Strollers who viewed the photo display as part of their 3.5-mile route on Saturday morning.
“Judging of all the photos was very difficult because there were so many great images to choose from. We wanted the winning image to reflect Bixby Knolls, be different from the winners of other similar contests in the city and to be something that would catch the eye as well as be surprising to everyone,” said Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association. “As the photos started to roll in after the contest, we knew we had a good type of problem on our hands. We added more categories immediately so we reward more participants for the great job they did in capturing our little ‘box’ of the city.”
The winning images will be available on the BKBIA Web site and will also be submitted to the Convention & Visitors Bureau to help sell the neighborhoods of Long Beach. A book with all submitted photos will be created by the BKBIA to capture this date in time in Bixby Knolls and will be available for purchase.
$1000 in cash and prizes were awarded to the winners of the contest. The BKBIA has already been asked to host a Winter Shutters contest in December. “We’re seriously considering it so we can see the neighborhoods all dolled up for the holidays and see another side of the personality and charm,” said Cohn.
For more information, contact the BKBIA at (562) 595-0081.
