About Steven Shpall

The antique pocket watch represented in photographer Steven Shpall's award-winning picture, "The One That Got Away," was bequeathed to him by his great uncle Denny. But the identity of the woman whose face graces the interior lid of the age-old watch remains a mystery.

Click on photo for larger image.

"We initially thought it was a lost love," Shpall said. "But we now believe the woman may have been Denny's grandmother."

Shpall found the image of the woman "striking" and decided to snap a keepsake photo. A picture of a picture, the outcome of which earned Shpall third place in the Peninsula Images category this year. In addition, it garnered Shpall his third prize this year (he also won second place in the Peninsula People category and an honorable mention in the Manipulated Images category).

The 50-year-old Palo Alto resident was raised in Denver, Colo. He and his wife, Kay, moved to Palo Alto 20 years ago. Shpall studied photography during high school, but only recently decided to revisit his hobby. A practicing dermatologist in Mountain View, Kay said the important visual aspect of his profession benefits his photographic talents.

Shpall, who has two children -- a 16-year-old boy, Zeke, and a 21-year-old girl, Alexa -- plans to continue photography as long as he is able. Will he pick up a few more prizes at next year's photo contest? Only time will tell.

-- Tyler Hanley