The people have spoken.

Companionship, photographed by Tony Gusman, finished first in balloting for the People鈥檚 Choice Awards at ImageFest, an inaugural show staged by the Comox Valley Camera Club.

The Art of Smoke, a compilation produced by Michelle Rankin and Lynne Woodley, was the runner-up. Third place went to Simple Elegance by Lynne Woodley.

ImageFest, at the Sid Williams Theatre, featured 31 slideshows produced by club members.

The voting for these awards was completed by 88 per cent of those in attendance. Comments such as 鈥渁mazing,鈥� 鈥渢ruly inspiring,鈥� 鈥渨onderfully creative鈥� and more could be heard passing through the throngs of people at the close of the show.

Many commented that it was difficult to vote for only three, that the options made selection difficult, and the organizers are grateful that the audience was so engaged.

The Sid Williams Theatre was full of enthusiastic viewers, all anxious to view a variety of slideshows ranging from nature to architecture, from seascapes to the Serengeti, from coast to coast and from one end of the Comox Valley to the other.

Initially, camera club members submitted 65 slideshows, from which a jury panel selected those presented to the public. Many hours were spent by club members in the preparation of their shows, and by committee members in the production and technical aspect of the show as well as the other aspects required to present a show of this calibre to the community.

Event sponsors are pleased with ticket sales of 446 for the show, and attendees have indicated a desire to see future ImageFest events. 鈥淐an鈥檛 wait to come back next time鈥� was frequently heard as patrons exited the theatre.

Framed works that were displayed in the lower lobby during ImageFest are now on display at Rhodos Coffee Roasting Company in Courtenay.

鈥� Comox Valley Camera Club