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.
Each entry was evaluated, taking into consideration creativity, composition, responsiveness to the category prompt, and the ability to convey the essence of Downtown, by a panel of judges made up of Arts Council for Long Beach staff, local professional photographers, and previous DTLB Unfiltered winners.
Viewing Instructions: Click the photos below to enlarge their view. Each photo also has a caption including the category it won for, the submitting photographer and the photo’s title.
HONORABLE MENTIONS 2024
‘People, Places & Events’ – “Marathon Mood” by Lance Nassau
‘Skyline & Architecture’ – “In Line for Bagels” by Bob Ring
‘Flora & Fauna’ – “Keeping a Lookout” by Judith Greenwood
‘Shop Small’ – “Ripe for the Taking” by Dan Porrino
🏎️ ‘Opposite of Ordinary’ – “Coffee Destination” by Eric Benson
‘Outside the Frame’ – “Natural Fire” by Garrett Gagnon
RUNNERS UP 2024
‘People, Places & Events’ – “Catching Sunset with You” by Kevin Turcios
‘Skyline & Architecture’ – “Sunset After Rain” by Michael Kennedy
‘Flora & Fauna’ – “Birds on a Wire” by Daniel Werre
‘Shop Small’ – “Trinkets and Treasures” by Vineece Whitener
🏎️ ‘Opposite of Ordinary’ – “Harbor Destination” by Eric Benson
‘Outside the Frame’ – “When Fog Takes Over” by Gabriel Aaron
WINNERS 2024
‘People, Places & Events’ – “Cyclists” by Daniel Werre
‘Skyline & Architecture’ – “Colors” by Joseph Stitt
‘Flora & Fauna’ – “Standing Tall” by Eric Benson
‘Shop Small’ – “Pixel” by Daniel Werre
🏎️ ‘Opposite of Ordinary’ – “Tale of Two Cities” by Bob Ring
‘Outside the Frame’ – “Home in the Fog” by George Cruz
CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
Take a moment to review the many categories our Downtown photographers competed in!
‘People, Places & Events’ – Capture the heartbeat of Downtown. Get ready to capture the vibrant heartbeat of Downtown Long Beach! Our ‘People, Places, and Events’ category invites you to freeze moments of pure joy and excitement as people immerse themselves in the diverse tapestry of our bustling city. Whether it’s a captivating event, a lively street scene, or individuals reveling in the beauty of iconic places, this category celebrates the heartwarming and unforgettable moments that make Long Beach truly special. So, grab your camera and join us in showcasing the dynamic spirit of this community through your lens!
‘Skyline & Architecture’ – Frame the city’s iconic structures. Discover the artistry in Long Beach’s skyline and architecture! Showcase the city’s striking structures, from towering skyscrapers to hidden gems. Your lens, your perspective – bring our urban landscape to life in this category!
‘Flora & Fauna’ – Showcase the beauty of our furry, feathered, and floral friends. Embrace the wild and wonderful! Our “Flora & Fauna’’ category invites you to capture the beauty and charm of Long Beach’s furry, feathered, and floral inhabitants. From playful pets to fascinating urban wildlife and the vibrant greenery that surrounds them, let your lens bring their stories to life. Get ready to share the joy and wonder of our animal friends, as well as the enchanting world of flora, in this delightful category!
‘Shop Small’ – Shine a spotlight on DTLB’s fantastic local businesses. Supporting our local gems! In the ‘Shop Small’ category, we celebrate the heart and soul of Downtown Long Beach – its small businesses. Use your lens to showcase the uniqueness, passion, and creativity that these local establishments bring to our community. From cozy coffee shops to charming boutiques, capture the spirit of entrepreneurship and the vibrant tapestry of our downtown small business scene. Let’s shine a spotlight on their stories through your photography!
🏎️ Opposite of Ordinary (new!) – In celebration of our new destination campaign, “Opposite of Ordinary”, we’re inviting participants to interpret the campaign by submitting their very own diptychs (two images side by side) that showcase two opposite, but complementary subjects in Downtown. Need an example? Take a look around at any of the campaign pole banners throughout DTLB, or see below for a few examples, including our “Like swan boats and IndyCars” image. We can’t wait to see how you capture Downtown through this creative prompt!
‘Outside the Frame’ – Breaking the boundaries of time! In ‘Outside the Frame’, we embrace the diverse moments and moods of DTLB throughout the year. While our main categories focus on capturing Downtown scenes from Oct. 1 to 22, this category invites you on a journey across 2024. Whether it’s the vibrant energy of springtime, the long, sun-drenched days of summer, or any moment in between, this is your chance to showcase the evolving essence of our city. Dig into your archives and transport us to moments that danced ‘outside the frame’ between Jan. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2024.