Grapevine

by Laura Bednar

Tom Bognar (center). Photo from Facebook. 

Taking photos has become a true passion for Sagamore Hills resident Tom Bognar and he recently received recognition for his work. This September, he was named one of the winners of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission photography contest for his photo “Up, Up, and Away” taken at Edgewater Park in Cleveland.

According to a press release from the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, each year amateur photographers from across Ohio submit images highlighting the lake’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, coastal communities and landscapes.

“The contest helps bring awareness to the environmental, economic and cultural importance [of the lake] while encouraging Ohioans to explore the diverse watershed,” the release stated.

Photography is a hobby for Bognar, who said it has almost become a job. “I made it an obsession; I go out every day,” he said.

Tom Bognar’s winning photo at Edgewater Park in Cleveland is titled “Up, Up, and Away.” Photo by Tom Bognar. 

He’s had a lifelong interest in photography but became serious about it when he retired in 2017 and bought a DSLR camera. Bognar enjoys taking pictures of all subjects, most recently the Cleveland air show and Cleveland fire dancers, though he said his focus is landscapes and wildlife.

That’s an appropriate focus as he is a member of the Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society. For the last four years, one of his photos has been used in the CVNP calendar, and two will be featured in 2027.

The award from the Lake Erie Commission is his first recognition outside of the CVNP, though his pictures were also featured in the local Town Planner calendar and in a book about water birds.

These are impressive accomplishments considering he is mostly a self-taught photographer, taking just one class with the Cleveland Photographic Society.

His photo “Up, Up, and Away” will be part of a traveling photo exhibit, starting at the Cleveland Boat Show in January, then the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center from February to May, the Ohio Welcome Center in Port Clinton from May to July, the Ohio State Fair from July to August and finally at the Riffe Gallery in Columbus from November to December.

Congratulations to you, Tom! The community will be keeping its eyes open for your next featured image.