Half Moon Bay Photographer Wins Place in International Competition

"Cheeeeese Gromit," 's photograph of her Boxer dog Gromit contemplating a wedge of Swiss, has been selected from over 4,000 entries to be part of the general collection of Professional Photographers of America (PPA)'s International Photographic Competition for 2011.

Considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the field, the Half Moon Bay photographer's print was selected by PPA as one of over 1,500 photos to be exhibited.

Established in 1869, PPA is an international nonprofit association for professional photographers.

"This was huge," said Costello, who said she had wanted to enter the competition for a long time, but wanted to wait until she had the right image and the right subject. "[It's] a real testament to what I love," she said.

A distinction of the International Photographic Competition is that the entries are judged by a standard of excellence, rather than each other.

Judges evaluate each entry based on 12 elements. Taken together, they comprise a gold standard and are dubbed "Measures of Excellence."

The elements are:

• Impact on the viewer

• Technical excellence

• Creativity

• Style

• Composition

• Presentation 

• Color Balance 

• Center of Interest 

• Lighting

• Subject Matter appropriate to the story being told

• Technique

• Storytelling 

"Since the Professional Photographers of America recently opened entries to online submissions, I knew that this was my chance," Costello said.

"Cheeeeese Gromit" was the only photo that Costello entered this year. Next year, Costello says, she will enter the maximum four allowed per photographer in the competition.

Costello took as part of a "" she undertook with fellow Half Moon Bay artists and . Texas resident Ann L. Schroeder completed the group.

To view the winning photo, click on the images in the media box located to the right of this article.

"Cheeeeese Gromit" will be on display with the rest of 2011's winning photos at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from January 15-17, 2012, in New Orleans, La.

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