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How have the woods made a difference in your life? Whether you own a tree farm that’s been in the family for generations, are an avid hunter or hiker, or recently found an appreciation for the forest, we invite you to share your story.
The Story Behind the ATFS/STIHL 2010 Photo of the Year
It was sometime last summer, while reading Tree Farmer Magazine, when I read about the ATFS photo contest sponsored by STIHL Inc. I went to the ATFS web site, read the contest rules and told myself I could do this. In looking over all the photographs that my wife, Kay, and I had taken in the last year on our Tree Farm, I quickly realized that the first contest was right here on the farm. After looking at previous winners and trying to place myself in the judge’s chair, we selected four of my photos and for of my wife’s to submit. The choices were tough ones. I really tried to find material that drew attention to the four key elements- water, wildlife, trees and land.
To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a mature pine forest and we are blessed that half of our 160 acre Certified Tree Farm, Turkey Pine Plantation, is a fully stocked stand of longleaf pine. We plan on retaining it in a natural savannah state as long as we can. Such a forest is a photographer’s dream.
As things go around the farm, you tend to forget about something you did months ago and focus on the current issues that Mother Nature has called upon you to address. Then, the telephone rings and it is someone from the American Tree Farm System asking you if you remember submitting the photos to the contest. Being notified that I was a winner was one thing but being told that my photo was the American Tree Farm Photo of the Year for 2010 was something else. To say the least, I was humbled by the honor yet proud that the award would bring some national attention to Mississippi, the Pine Belt and our county forestry association.
The winning photo captures the first light of sunrise as it awakens the longleaf pine forest. I have entitled the photo First Light but it has also had been called Sunrise at Turkey Pine Plantation. The photo was taken from the front porch of our home nestled in the midst of a stand of mature Longleaf that has been in my family for three generations now. The fog rising from our lake provides a contrasting background for the sunlight as it strikes the trees and forest floor. I have taken this same picture every month of the year, noting that the position of the sun changes as well thus making each photo somewhat unique.
Perhaps the best thing about the photo is something you cannot see. It was taken with an older model Kodak Easy Share Digital, a right off the shelf, right out of the box camera. There are no bells and whistles, no fancy lens, no filter, tripod or light meter was used. I just waited for the scene to unfold and took the picture. This says something for the amateur photographers out there in that you don’t have to invest a fortune to get good photographs.
My $500 gift certificate from the Stihl Corp. arrived about three weeks later and by then I already knew what I wanted- a larger chain saw, of course. My first Stihl was a Model MS 290, purchased the week after Katrina blew through here destroying everything in her path. I am still using that saw and cannot wear it out. Because of the dependability of Stihl products, I have switched out other brands of power equipment with Stihl products.
I left Dudley Williamson with a signed copy of First Light, my gift to him for supporting the 2010 ATFS/STIHL Photo Contest. My thanks to the American Tree Farm System, the American Forest Foundation and the Stihl Inc. for holding the photo contest so that Tree Farmers and photographers who are passionate about what they do can share it with others.