DEL MAR -- "Inspirational" is the word San Diego County Fair staff members say they hear most often from fairgoers to describe this year's photography, photojournalism and digital arts exhibit.

The exhibit, featuring 1,273 photographs from amateurs and professionals, is on the second floor of the Grandstand building.

Wandering past one arresting photograph after another of colorful coral and tropical fish, California poppies and Masai warriors, it didn't take long Wednesday afternoon before the word surfaced again.

More of the 2009 San Diego County Fair

"These are just awesome. They're inspiring," 23-year-old Encinitas resident Patrick Rochefort said, pointing to three color entries by Hugh Lawrence of penguins frolicking in the wild. "I just want to know how you get to travel (to South America or Antarctica) to take these kind of photos. I'm kind of jealous."

Rochefort, an amateur photographer, said he came to the fair especially to see the photo exhibit as a way to celebrate his birthday.

This year's exhibit is one of the most competitive in recent memory, said Melanie Parker, assistant exhibit coordinator and amateur photographer from Ramona.

"I just wish we had more room to hang more of the photographs we get," she said, noting that nearly 4,000 entries were received in all three categories.

Photography, which includes categories such as nature, portrait, landscape and night photography, received the most entries -- more than 3,000. Digital arts had 252 entries and photojournalism had 135.

Encinitas resident and professional photographer Carolyn Guild said the photography exhibit helps fairgoers observe nature with a keener eye. She said the exhibits even inspired her several years ago to become a professional photographer.

She said she first entered photos in the competition in 2006 and was pleased when a couple were chosen to be displayed. This year, she said, she won six awards for the seven black-and-white photographs she entered.

"It's one thing to have a photograph touch you," Guild said. "But it's another to have someone choose it to hang on their wall."

Ruth Marvin Webster is a freelance writer.