Ryan Synovec's ‘Monumental Cactus' won First Place in the Plastic Fantastic Show IX.

ASTORIA — LightBox Photographic Gallery celebrates its ninth birthday with the opening and artists’ reception of the Plastic Fantastic Show IX from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 9.

This annual group exhibit originated with LightBox’s love for images made with basic plastic “toy” film cameras as a way to celebrate the gallery’s anniversary each year. A large number of photographers from around the world shoot images with basic cameras, creating unique photos that are captured on film.

The images achieved from this photographic method using cameras with less-than-perfect optics and control lead to unpredictable and sometimes extraordinarily beautiful results.

Renowned fine art photographer Susan Burnstine of Los Angeles once again juried the exhibit. Burnstine is an acclaimed photographic artist shooting with film using rudimentary homemade cameras of her own design, consisting of plastic lenses and vintage camera and household parts.

This year Ryan Synovec of Seattle received the juror’s top award for his image “Monumental Cactus.” Lilyan Aloma from New York, N.Y., received the Second Award for “Herald Square,” Priscilla Kanady from The Woodlands, Texas. received the Third Award for “Meghan in the Shadows” and Jim Rohan of Wakefield, Mass., received Honorable Mention.

The Plastic Fantastic Show IX runs through Tuesday, July 10.

LightBox opened in Astoria nine years ago on June 13, 2009. With nearly 100 exhibits since opening day, LightBox has become a Northwest photographic resource, hosting national and regional artists’ with exhibits of fine photography, conducting artists’ presentations and workshops, all as part of the goal to provide a center for the promotion of creative and alternative photography on the North Coast.