LEWISTON — In a state rich with lush landscapes, intriguing history, magnificent wildlife and colorful residents, photographers aim to capture life’s best moments, quaintest locales and Maine’s truest spirit.

For the next month some of those photographs will be on display at L/A Arts Gallery 5 as part of the first “Through the Lens” fine art photography contest and exhibit. The exhibit features 56 amateur, professional and student photographers.

“I used to enter shows, but I haven’t in a really long time,” said Joanne Felice Boucher, 59, a professional photographer from Lewiston who now lives in Portland. “But I’m from Lewiston, and I love L/A Arts. I’ve been doing photography for 20 years, so it’s always exciting to be recognized.”

The competition showcases the best Maine photographers had to offer in four categories: computer composed, black and white, color and student. Three jurors with strong photographic and artistic backgrounds faced the tough task of pairing down more than 300 submitted images to the 86 featured in the show.

Boucher took home three prizes for her work, including second place for her favorite black-and-white photo of her favorite little man, grandson Milo. She also won first place in the computer-composed division and took another second place in the color division.

“They really selected images based on the quality of the image,” Gallery 5 curator Tammie Grieshaber said. “Our goal for this is that we want this to be a valid place for fine art exhibition. We want Gallery 5 to be a real showcase in Maine for the best photography.”

Grieshaber said that “Through the Lens” is the gallery’s first exhibit featuring solely photography. She said that while many of the shows include some photographs, most of the works are paintings or other art mediums.

Sara Flowers of Lewiston considered the exhibit a fabulous addition to town. Attending Sunday’s opening reception with her mother, 59-year-old Jackie, who is one of the photographers featured in the show, Flowers said she was happy to see such an exhibit in Lewiston, rather than having to travel to Portland.

“I think it’s great. It’s about high time,” said Jackie Flowers, who lives in Minot. “We’ve had a lot of art, but not a lot of photography.”

The exhibit runs through July 16, Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m. at L/A Arts Gallery 5, next to Fuel Restaurant at 49 Lisbon St.