Free slideshow gives glimpse of park photo entries

Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park received 178 photographic entries to its first “Images From the Edge” photo contest.

The public is invited to view contestants’ photos in a multi-image slideshow beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday in the park’s Kilauea Visitor Center. Pupu will be served on the lanai. In honor of National Park Week, which runs through April 29, entry to the park is free all week.

“It never ceases to amaze me how many outstanding entries we get from amateur photographers—and these sets of images are at least as good, and in many cases better, than any I have judged,” said contest judge Rick Decker.

“Given the quality of the images and the many faces of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the slideshow will be a real eye-opener for people with respect to the park’s beauty and the wide variety of photo ops in the park,” Decker added. “I think that myself and Alvis Upitis, the other judge, have our work cut out for us.”

Photographers submitted in three levels: amateur-beginner, amateur-advanced and professional. Photo subjects include everything from native birds to ohelo berries, dramatic landscapes to fiery lavascapes and, of course, the eruptive activity at Puu Oo and Halemaumau Crater.

The free slideshow is being produced by professional photographer Ken Goodrich of Hawaii Photo Retreat.

Immediately following the slideshow, the finalists will be announced during a ceremony with the contest judges.

Later, the finalists’ photographs will be exhibited from June 8 to 17 at the Volcano Art Center Gallery. Places and awards will be announced at the opening reception June 8.

For more information, call 985-7373 or visit fhvnp.org.