Hooper wins big with little lizard

One day, when Debbie Hooper reflects on her illustrious photography career, she will pay respects to one shadowy Costa Rican lizard.

For that lizard, spotted last year on vacation, helped Hooper earn a second place finish in the juried fine art photography exhibition, Photofest 2009.

The exhibition, part of the Art in Public Places Program, was coordinated by the Tallahassee/Leon County Council on Culture and Arts (COCA).

The COCA Arts Advisory Committee selected 46 entries out of 183 works by Big Bend photographers to hang in the Tallahassee Regional Airport ArtPort Gallery.

Hooper, who exhibited two works, "Blue Mist" and "Pelican Duo" in the 2005 Photofest, received an invitation to display her photograph, entitled "What Lizard?!"

She snapped the photograph in Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park, one of several stops enjoyed by Hooper and husband, Jon, on their 35th wedding anniversary.

The Hoopers' tour guide demonstrated an uncanny ability to spot all manner of creatures, both big and small.

When he pointed out the shadow cast by a lizard on the underside of a large green leaf, Debbie Hooper recognized a photo opportunity, if not immediately a lizard.

"What lizard?," Hooper's reaction to the tour guide's announcement, seemed a fitting name for the striking and mysterious photograph.

As the COCA committee announced six honorable mention recipients at the Nov. 19 airport reception, Hooper muttered something ever so faintly under her breath: "I don't want an honorable mention. I want a prize."

Hooper got just that – a glossy red ribbon and a $75 check.

To cap off the eventful night, Hooper, husband, Jon, daughter Kelly Kingon and son-in-law Dale Kingon feasted on sushi at a Tallahassee eatery.

See More Hooper

Debbie Hooper's award winning photograph, "What Lizard?!" will be on display at the Tallahassee Regional Airport ArtPort Gallery until Jan. 15.

The Apalachicola Museum of Art, located on 96 5th Street, will be exhibiting six of Hooper's framed nature prints and four gallery wrapped canvas prints through Jan. 15.

The works recently traveled with Michael Lister's Double Exposure book tour.

The Studio on 4th, located at 521 4th Street in Port St. Joe, will also be showing Hooper's work the weekends of Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12.

To view more of Hooper's photography, visit www.joebay.com