"We All Need Them ... Circle of Friends" was taken at Makino Chaya. The photographer, an anonymous Canon worker, made use of the colorful umbrellas decorating the entrance. This year's Canon Employee Photo Contest is depending on votes from the public to help determine the winner.

Friendly contest

Every year, Canon Hawaii gives its employees, those for whom the 9-to-5 grind is all about cameras, the chance to show what they can do behind the lens. This year the annual Canon Employee Photo Contest hopes to engage the public in its friendly competition.

Visitors to Canon U.S.A. Inc.'s Hawaii office can peruse the images in the office gallery and cast a vote for their favorite shot. It's all done quite democratically, with only numbers as labels for the photographs so that voting is based on merit rather than a familiar name.

The Canon Employee Photo Contest runs through Feb. 28 at Canon's office in Ward Plaza, Suite 200. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Call 522-5930 for more information.

"Day's End" captures a dramatic sunset against the city skyline.

"Kauai Boys" depicts the good times between friends.

The solitary "Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon."

"Sumo Baby" has a big smile for the camera.