Ted Fines, head of the local Habitat for Humanity and a fantastic professional photographer, recently took top honors for his entry to PRAXIS International Juried Photography Exhibit — EMPTY PLACES : ABANDONED SPACES — earning the Jurors Choice Award.

His moving photo showing snow on the floor of the abandoned McKenzie High School in Detroit will be on display at the gallery in Minneapolis.

“I was surprised to say the least,” Fines told News Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley.

He said he doesn’t typically enter national or international contests at out-of-state galleries.

“I feel fortunate that I’m able to say something in my photographs,” Fines told Hinkley. “I felt pretty cool about it. I’m hoping to have a future in photography when I retire.”

Congratulations, Ted.

From the looks of things, that future could be bright, indeed.