2023 New York State Fair: Seven e-mails from Syracuse

When I first participated in the New York State Fair’s photography competition way back in 2009, I was limited to two entries – both at 16×20 size – and I was notified of acceptance or rejection via postcards.

The Postcards o’ Doom, I called them. Because, for a while, I would get lucky with some of my entries … but then fall short on others. And there were some years where I would submit six entries (the maximum) but NONE of them made the cut.

Two years ago, five of my six photos made the walls of the Harriet May Mills Art Center, while last year I went a perfect six-for-six, with two blue ribbons for first place, a red for second place, and two honorable mentions.

Okay. Now comes the question. Did I bring my A-game this year to Syracuse, or am I looking at resounding failures?

I don’t know. I don’t know. All I have right now are seven e-mails … one each for six photos, and one for the latch hook rug.

Okay. Deep breath. They’re all lined up. Let’s see what happens.

A BICOLOR SUNFLOWER

And the email says … NOT ACCEPTED

Aw, nuts. I really hoped that one would crack through. Okay, let’s not get worried.

BENNINGTON COUNTY, 15°F

And the email says … NOT ACCEPTED

Aw, crap. Two emails, two rejections. I really don’t want to deal with that word “Syracurse” again.

All right. Third email. This one’s for the latched hook rug.

A BICOLOR SUNFLOWER

And the email says … ACCEPTED

Okay. I can’t get two sunflowers in the show, but I could still snag at least one bloom. And trust me, I’ll take that every day. Plus, it’s my first entry in the Arts and Crafts category since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s also my third latched hook rug ever entered in the event.

So I still have four photos … and four emails.

Okay. Fingers crossed.

ATOMIC TULIPS

And the email says … ACCEPTED

Yes. Yes yes yes. This works for me. I wasn’t sure of my kaleidoscope prism photo would get some love … but apparently it has!

RAN OUT OF FIREWOOD

And the email says … ACCEPTED

Fist pump! Fist pump! My Christmas tree photo concept will hang on the walls of the Harriet May Mills Art Center!!

SC&H IN THE ADIRONDACKS

And the email says … ACCEPTED

That’s right! After trying for years and years and years, I finally got one of my pictures in the “Made in New York” category ON THE WALLS IN SYRACUSE! Hell yeah!

HUDSON RIVER SUNRISE

And the email says … ACCEPTED

Holla at your man! My experimental sun-shot photo, an improvement on my “Black Starlight” shot from years ago, made the walls!

Okay. So I’ve got four photos and a rug in Syracuse. Incredible. Amazing. Super-happy.

Trust me. I can NOT wait to go to Syracuse and find out how my photos and my rug did.

This totally works for me.

Without a doubt.

Time for updated 2023 specs.

• For the first time in what may be forever … I did NOT submit any film photos this year. Three of my photos were captured with my Nikon Df, while Atomic Tulips was snared with my Google Pixel 6 Pro.
• All four images were taken in New York. Atomic Tulips and Hudson River Sunrise were photographed in Albany County, and the other two New York-based photos were captured in Saratoga County.

Yeah. This seriously works for me.

Let’s keep Competition Season 2023 this going.