Tippy Valley Sophomore In Finals Of National Football Photography Contest
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Tippecanoe Valley High School sophomore Ethan McDonald, 16, Silver Lake, is one of seven finalists in Canon's national "Why Do You Love Football?" Amateur Photo Contest.
The public can vote on the contest until Jan. 4. There are two categories, teen and adult. McDonald's photo is in the teen category. To vote for McDonald's photo, visit www.usa.canon.com/nflCanon and the Pro Football Hall of Fame gave football fans the chance to submit their best youth football photos over the course of three months. Voters can earn a chance to win a Canon camera by participating.
McDonald's photo was entered in the contest after his mom, Marilyn, saw the contest on the Internet. She entered the photo in the contest for him, and told him about it later. He also received a packet of information on the contest in the mail later.
"It was one of the better ones I've taken, and it's a really cool photo," he said during an interview Thursday.
He found out he was a finalist in early December. "After I figured out what it was, I was really excited about it," he said. "It is a great opportunity."
If McDonald wins, he will receive four Super Bowl tickets, air fare, accommodations and other prizes, he said. Even if he doesn't win, McDonald said all the finalists get something. To be one of the finalists, he said, "that's an honor in itself."
If he wins, he will have to decide who to take with him to the Super Bowl.
"I haven't really decided yet. I've thought about it," he said.
Marilyn McDonald took wedding photos for many years. She got her son interested in photography when he was in the fourth grade, for 4-H. In eighth grade, Ethan McDonald said he started taking sports photos.
"I just like being able to take a picture, look at it, figure out how I can make it better," he said.
Currently, he takes Valley sports photos, including football, volleyball and tennis, and sells them to students and others. He also is on the yearbook staff this semester.
Ethan has been put up for more than one Foundation Award for 4-H. He's entered other photo contests, but hasn't done as well as he has in the Canon contest.
As for making photography a career, he said, "I'm not really sure right now. There's so many photographers. It's not about the eye anymore, it's about the equipment."
