Long Beach, CA (November 17, 2023) – The Downtown Long Beach Alliance is thrilled to announce the winners of our annual DTLB Unfiltered photo contest. This contest is a celebration of the remarkable beauty, diversity, and vibrancy of Downtown Long Beach, as captured through the lenses of talented photographers of all levels of experience.
In partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach (ACLB), who organized the panel of judges, bringing together a group of dedicated community members, including local artists, photographers, small business owners and art gallery professionals, each entry was meticulously evaluated, taking into consideration creativity, composition, and the ability to convey the essence of Downtown.
“The panel members reviewed the entries in each category and shared their unique perspectives on the photographs. Throughout the selection process, the panelists enjoyed seeing all the different ways photographers chose to represent Downtown Long Beach,” said Griselda Suarez, Executive Director of the ACLB. “While there were many exceptional photos to choose from, the panel narrowed the selection down to three entries from each category that reflect the beauty of our city and demonstrate creativity, technique, and artistry.”
After careful deliberation, we are proud to present the following winners:
• People, Places & Events – Michael Gonzales, “Serene Walk Along the Waterfront”
• Skyline & Architecture – Victor Ladd, “Sunset Reflection”
• Flora & Fauna – Ariel James Odvina, “Early Bird Gets the Worm”
• Shop Small – Dorian Bonner, “Foliage”
• Food & Drink – Kris Rodriguez, “Old Fashioned”
• Outside the Frame – Lauren Benson, “Tower Fans”
In addition to their recognition, each winner will receive $200 in gift cards to Downtown businesses. The finalists will be recognized in a private reception later this fall. The photos will be used throughout the 2024 calendar year in DLBA marketing efforts and prominently displayed on transit kiosks throughout Downtown in partnership with Long Beach Transit.
Austin Metoyer, DLBA President & CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the contest and its role in showcasing Downtown through the art of photography.
“Unfiltered has become a cherished tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the beauty and vitality of our city. This year’s winners have truly captured the essence of Downtown Long Beach, and their talent is a testament to the creative spirit that thrives here. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each of them for their remarkable submissions.”
DLBA would like to thank all the photographers who participated in this year’s contest, as well as the judges and collaborators, who made this event possible, including the ACLB, Travis Stock-Tucker of Happily Bearded After (Long Beach Night Walks), and Long Beach Transit. We look forward to continuing our mission of showcasing the best of Downtown Long Beach through the art of photography in the years to come.
Please visit downtownlongbeach.org/dtlb-unfiltered to see all finalists’ photos, including the winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions.
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About the Downtown Long Beach Alliance: DLBA is a non-profit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown for all. By balancing the interests of the residents, as well as businesses, the DLBA creates tangible progress by way of vested interest and solidified partnerships across local, municipal, and commercial lines. For additional information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org, or follow on Facebook @downtownlongbeach, and on X (formerly Twitter) @dlba and Instagram @dlba.