Please welcome celebrated documentary and architectural photographer Philip Gould, of Lafayette, Louisiana, as the judge for this year’s “Viewfinder” photography competition. Sponsored by The El Dorado Insider and The Diamond Agency, the exhibition will be on display in SAAC’s Price and Merkle Galleries February 2–March 1, 2026, with an entry deadline of January 27.

Gould brings to SAAC a five-decade career shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a profound sense of place. Reflecting on his approach to judging, he explained, “I look forward to the chance to engage with a wide range of subject matter, and I am continually impressed by the artistic quality of the photographs submitted. While much of judging a competition is objective, there are always subjective nuances to consider. I pay close attention to an artist’s technique and vision, as well as the overall eloquence of the image.”

Meet the Judge – Philip Gould

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Gould discovered photography at age 20 after receiving a camera from his mother in 1971. His passion quickly grew from hobby to vocation, leading him to earn a degree in photojournalism from San Jose State University. Soon after, his path took a defining turn southward.

Fresh out of college in 1974, Gould accepted a position at The Daily Iberian in New Iberia, Louisiana—an opportunity he remembers as “the best first job a photographer could hope for.” In a town with limited breaking news, he was granted rare creative freedom to photograph anything readers would love, an experience that shaped his artistic voice and solidified his long-term commitment to immersive, multi-year documentary projects.

After a brief period working at the Dallas Times Herald, Louisiana’s rich cultural landscape called him back. In 1978, drawn by Acadiana’s sprawling oak trees, French-speaking heritage, and deeply rooted communities, he returned to Louisiana to make it his permanent home. Gould has since photographed extensively across Louisiana, throughout the United States, across Europe, and into Mexico and the Caribbean.

His long-form projects have resulted in more than twenty published books, and his most recent project, “Louisiana from the Sky,” showcases his aerial photography. His body of work ranges from massive events like the explosive demolition of the Savanna-Sabula Bridge in Illinois to intimate moments such as a quiet prayer beneath the Crescent City Connection.

Across decades, Gould’s artistry has remained rooted in a profound spiritual and emotional bond with Louisiana’s landscapes and people. For him, Louisiana is more than a subject. It is muse, home, and the wellspring of his most enduring creative inspiration.

SAAC is honored to welcome Philip Gould as the 2026 “Viewfinder” judge and looks forward to celebrating photographers who, like Gould, see the world in ever-changing light.

Find Philip Gould online
Website – philipgould.com
Facebook Page – Philip Gould – Photography
New Book from UL Press – ‘Louisiana from the Sky’

For more information or to submit an entry, visit the Viewfinder Competition Page, or contact the SAAC at 870-862-5474.