Estrella Mountain Community College Photography Instructor, Richard Gross, was awarded 2nd prize in a juried digital photography show hosted by Paradise Valley Community College. The exhibit features artwork by students and members of the community; only 40 works were chosen from approximately 300 submissions. Judges based their selections on the use of light, composition and the story told by the image. Gross’ photo titled, ‘Homage to Muqi,’ is a black and white panoramic view of a mountain and sky scene that he constructed from five different photos of torn paper and plastic wrap. The title is a tribute to the Chinese landscapes that were painted during the Song Dynasty as a statement of who the artist was and where he was located. Gross was interested in creating a type of photograph that he hadn’t seen before, an inquisitive trait he hopes to pass on to his students at EMCC, “I constantly encourage my photo students to try and rethink the ordinary and come up with an unusual way to see something with a camera that is pleasing to the eye,” he said. The digital photography exhibit is available for viewing 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Performing Arts Center at Paradise Valley Community College until February 7.