You just can't beat a good visual.

When the Maine Photography Show (MPS) opens on April 8, at Boothbay Region Art Foundation in Boothbay Harbor, folks will be surrounded by them. 106 to be exact.

MPS Chairperson Bruce Burnham says there are a lot of creative entries. “There are many photographers new to the show. And, I can tell you right now that the photo chosen as Best In Show is highly deserved. This should be a fantastic show.”

Burnham said about 900 photos were submitted to this 12th annual show by 323 photographers. Most submissions are from the state's Midcoast region (Phippsburg to Searsport), others are from as far south as South Berwick; to the northwest out Rangeley way, and as far north as Caribou.

Marc Muench juried the show selecting 106 images composed of one of the four categories: black and white, color, student, and this year's special category, Red, Blue & Green Landscape.

Of the selected images, Muench chose 16 student photos that Burnham describes as “just incredible.”

Juror Muench is an international photographer and author. Muench is also an educator, leading photography workshops/seminars around the world – including Maine. Just last October the Portland Camera Club sponsored a day-long seminar with Muench at UNE's campus there.

This third generation photographer learned his art from his renowned father and grandfather, David Muench and Josef Muench. This family’s landscapes are stunners! Marc Muench's photos bring the majesty of nature into focus from across the globe – Antarctica, Mongolia, Madagascar, Iceland, Slovenia ... See some of them for yourself at www.marcmuench.com. 

The Art Foundation awards cash prizes for the first place photos in each category and Best In Show at a closed awards ceremony held the night before the opening. Businesses and individuals sponsor the awards ranging from $35 to $500.  

See the Maine Photography Show, April 8 – May 5, at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation located at 1 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor.