Okay, here we go.
This is where I focus my best work from the past twelve months. The art that I feel has the greatest chance of earning silk. The film photos and the digital creations. The twenty-seven different captures that I whittled down to six images – and even then, I vacillated between several shots, taking one out, putting one in, taking one out, putting one in like some sort of photographic Hokey Pokey.
Last year was an “okay” year for me at the NYS Fair; I did pick up a second-place ribbon for my shot Skywatchers, with four other entries decorating the walls of the Harriet May Mills Art Center. Which was better than my 2023 results, where I had four entries on the walls with no ribbons.
So let’s pick up the pace here. Let’s see what I can do this time around. And after much back and forth and back and forth … we’re going with these for 2025…
SOARING ON A MANHATTAN MORNING
Technically, my feet and my tripod were in New Jersey, but how else am I going to get this incredible photo? This shot will appear in the “Pride of New York” category, if it gets selected.
THE CONGREGATION OF CARISSIMA
The last time I submitted a Hamilton College-centric entry for Syracuse, it was way back in 2015 when my shot of the college’s iconic Root Glen, The Walkway, took a second place silk. I am allowed two entries into the “non-traditional” category, so this is one of those two entries.
PETZVAL DANDELION
Sometimes you get a shot right outside your front door. As was the case with this photo. This photo was essentially “on the fence,” and I kept taking it out and putting it back in. But with the submission deadline swiftly approaching, I had to trust my gut on this one.
ARRIVING FOR CHRISTMAS
When it comes to railroad appearances at the New York State Fair, I’ve had some success with wall appearances from the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad in 2024 – and from the Strasburg Railroad in 2022. But no ribbons for a railroad-themed image. YET. And I’m still hoping for my first silk for a CPKC Holiday Train shot in ANY competition. This might be my best chance for one.
90 MINUTES OF MOONLIGHT
Yes, the photographic mad scientist is back again. Because, of course I am. Fully captured in camera on film. And at no time did my fingers leave my wrists.
NECK AND NECK AND NECK
Yep, I’m allowed two entries in the “non-traditional” category, and as far as I’m concerned, infrared photography counts as non-traditional. And high-speed infrared photography has to be seriously non-traditional.
That’s my limit. Six photos.
And now … time for the photo breakdown.
Cameras used – traditional Nikon Df (Soaring, Petzval, Christmas), Infrared Nikon Df (Neck), Pentacon Six TL (Carissima, Moonlight).
Lenses used on Nikon Df gear – Vivitar 19mm f/3.8 (Christmas, Neck), Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 (Manhattan), Helios 44-2 50mm f/2 (Petzval).
Lenses used on Pentacon Six TL gear – Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f/2.8 (Moonlight), Meyer Optik Görlitz Orestegor 500 f/5.6 (Carissima).
Film used in Pentacon Six TL camera – Kodak T-Max 400 film (Moonlight), Lucky 220 B&W film (Carissima).
Locations – Albany County (Moonlight, Petzval), Estrie / Sherbrooke, Quebec (Christmas), Hudson County, NJ (Soaring), Saratoga County (Neck), Oneida County (Carissima).
And for the first time since 2023 … I’m also trying my luck in the Arts and Crafts category. How about this recycled wonder for starters …
Yep. I built another one of those soda crate hope chests. Took seven different vintage Coca-Cola wooden soda crates and reassembled them into a hope chest. Or a steamer trunk, depending on your view.
Oh yeah, and one other entry. And for this, I’m going back to my little “drive in Speaker mod phase” of 2024.
That’s when I crafted this little treasure.
Yep, I’m bringing one of the drive-in speakers – along with a Bluetooth transmitter – to the Fair. If I never make another one of these beauties … I’d like to see if my efforts could have earned at least ONE award.
Yeah, I know I picked up an honorable mention at the Big E last year for a drive-in speaker project … but that one was part of a “ribbon refresh” idea, while this one is a straight-up restoration.
And there you have it. Six photos and two art projects. Heck, I could theoretically put all the entries into the hope chest and transport everything in one fell swoop to Syracuse.
So here’s hoping this works.
Fingers crossed.
Chuck The Writer 
Good luck! I do think luck is a part of it, what fancies particular judges. I still think Nipper’s in real trouble in that pic!
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Yes, best of luck!
IMHO, I believe Manhattan and Congregation will come through for you.
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