2018 photography competition, “The Viewfinder”, will be judged by El Dorado photographer Terrence Armstard. The competition, sponsored by William P. Cook and Associates, will hang in the Price and Merkle Galleries from February 6-27, 2018, with an entry deadline of February 2, 2018.

When asked about what he might be looking for in a winning piece, Armstard said, “An image might be pretty, but is it complex? I want to see the thought behind the work. I need to see what the photographer is thinking. I’m really most interested in the complexity of the photo… not complexity, as in a busy photo, but a photo with complex thinking behind it. Is there something in the photo that causes me to think? That’s what I’m interested in seeing.”

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Terrance Armstard studied photography and journalism at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, acquiring his bachelor’s degree in photojournalism and a master of arts degree in communication. Armstard began working as a freelance photojournalist in 2001 for newspapers such as USA Today, Newsday (New York), the Times Picayune (New Orleans), The Advocate (Baton Rouge), as well as the Associated Press. He received his first staff position at his hometown newspaper The News-Star, a small daily owned by the Gannett Co. While there, he received a scholarship to the prestigious journalism center, the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla. From there, Armstard was personally invited by Vme Edom-Smith, daughter of renowned University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism Professor Clifton C. Edom, to attend the Truth With A Camera workshop in Norfolk, Va. Holding memberships in NPPA and ASMP, he furthered honed his skills by attending workshops and seminars. In 2010 he began working as the marketing and public relations photographer for the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Armstard works now as a photojournalist at the El Dorado News-Times and continues to work as a part-time freelance photographer covering northeast Louisiana and southwest Arkansas. His work has been published in magazines such Imagine Louisiana, Louisiana Life and KoreAm, a Korean American magazine. He also is a speech teacher at South Arkansas Community College. Armstard currently resides in El Dorado.

Gallery hours are Monday- Friday, 9:00-5:00. For more information about “The Viewfinder”, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474.