By Graham K. Rogers

We read in a Kodak press release that the 26th Annual Gallery Elite Awards had taken place on Monday evening evening at Imaging USA (I-USA), the annual conference and trade show of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) in New Orleans, where the judges were Helen Yancy, Dennis Craft and Rich Newell. The awards recognized the creativity and skills of photographers in the fields of wedding and portrait photography, who had used Kodak professional products and services.

The information from Kodak continues:

The judges named Donna Goodhue, of Expressions by Donna this year's grand prize winner. Her photograph, "Endless Love," features an older couple sharing a quiet, affectionate moment. Judges awarded the Rutland, VT based photographer for capturing real people at a moment that evokes a real emotion. Goodhue is an environmental photographic artist, specializing in wedding and portrait images.

"Kodak Gallery Elite Awards winners possess professionalism, talent and unique styles, which they deliver to their clients on a regular basis," said Christopher S. Van Zandt, Vice President & General Manager, Paper & Output Systems, Americas Region, Eastman Kodak Company. "We're excited to honor their artistry and expertise, which combined with their use of Kodak Professional Photography Products and Services and a Pro Lab, deliver high quality, lasting memories for their clients."

In addition to Goodhue, three photographers received Kodak Gallery Elite Awards:

• 2nd Place: Dan McClanahan, McClanahan Studio, Ames, IA for "Never Trust a Woman"
• 3rd Place: Lora Yeater, Memories by Lora Yeater, Alma, WV for "Good-bye"
• 4th Place: Audrey Wancket, Wancket Studios, Spring Grove, IL for "Miss Priss"

In addition to receiving the Gallery Elite Crystal trophy, each winner receives a cash prize and lab credits at a professional photo lab that uses Kodak Professional Products. Also, Kodak will showcase the winners' images in the Gallery Elite circle at I-USA, on kodak.com, www.kodak.com/go/galleryaward, and in Kodak promotional materials. The ceremony also paid tribute to the hundreds of other 2011 Kodak Gallery Award recipients throughout the United States and Canada. During 2011, professional photographers affiliated with the PPA in all 50 states and Canada competed for Gallery Awards in five categories:

• Portrait or Landscape Print
• Wedding Print
• Illustrative, Commercial, Electronic Image Print
• Printed Album or Book (any category)
• Print or Album using Kodak Professional Endura Metallic VC Digital Paper

State and regional winners of Gallery Awards who used Kodak Professional Products, such as Kodak Professional Film, Media and/or Chemistry in the creation or production of their works, were eligible to compete for the Kodak Gallery Elite Award.

More information is available at Kodak; or follow KODAK PROFESSIONAL on Facebook.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.