BEST OF SHOW WHITE'S PRINT TAKES TOP PRIZE IN MIDYEAR EXHIBITION.

Byline: Sharon Cotal Staff Writer

VALENCIA - ``Moonset Over the Dunes,'' a photograph taken by Larry White, was named Best of Show at the Santa Clarita Valley Photographers Association's midyear print competition.

This is the third year that the group has sponsored a midyear competition in addition to its annual gala print competition held each October. Nearly 70 entries were judged and numerous awards for excellence were given.

``Considering that we've gone from one competition a year to two, it exceeded our expectations,'' said David Saffir, Santa Clarita Photographers Association vice president of publicity. ``It's a lot of work for people to put entries together. It's a big investment.''

Other top award winners were ``Little Lion'' by Linda Van Zotphen; ``Cyclops'' by Tom Claton; ``Sisters'' by Donna Murphy; ``Juan Turning at Inoy'' by George McClure; ``First Dance'' by John Riley; and ``Frozen in Time'' by Yoti Teilio.

The SCV Photographers Association is made up of both professional and amateur photographers who shoot everything from landscape and nature photos to weddings and even advertising photos.

``We have a mix of professionals, people who aspire to be professionals and quite a few serious amateurs,'' Saffir said.

The annual print competition, scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Hyatt Valencia, will have a new twist this year - a category for children's entries, with divisions based on age or grade. Saffir hopes to have information about the competition rules and deadlines out to the schools before the kids are released for the summer.

``These kids go away on vacations, so why not have a camera in hand and photograph the places they visit?'' he said.

The fall event will also include photography seminars on topics such as ``How to Improve Your Family Photos,'' ``Desktop Photo Printing for Beginners'' and more. The seminars will be open to the public at no charge.

Last year's fall event drew several hundred attendees and nearly 100 entries.

``We've more than doubled the space and greatly increased content for the public this year. We're particularly proud of the contests for young people, which are new, and we expect this to be a terrific family event,'' Saffir said.

For information about the Santa Clarita Valley Photographers Association or the fall competition, visit the group's Web site at www.scvphotographers.com.

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(color) ``Moonset Over the Dunes'' by Larry White took Best in Show at the Santa Clarita Valley Photographers Association's midyear print competition.