When Dylan Strickland photographed a ballerina in a dingy, abandoned complex outside of Los Angeles, he never imagined that his photo would inspire a short film directed by Eva Longoria, Jamie Foxx, Georgina Chapman, James Murphy or Biz Stone.

Dylan Strickland’s photograph “The Hallway” was one of the winners in the contest’s “the unknown” category. (photo by Dylan Strickland)

However, that is exactly what has transpired thanks to Strickland submitting his photo, “The Hallway”, into Canon’s “Project Imaginat10n” contest. He and fellow Los Angeles resident, Mike Beiriger, were selected as winners in the contest’s “the unknown” category.

“It’s one of those game-changing opportunities,” Strickland said. “It’s actually kind of hard to wrap my mind around it.”

“Project Imaginat10n” calls for photographers to submit their most imaginative photos to 10 storytelling themes: setting, time, character, mood, backstory, relationship, goal, obstacle, the unknown and discovery.

After a judging panel selected the finalists, the public and director Ron Howard selected the 91 winners. The celebrity directors will choose 10 photos each — one from each theme — to create short films that will be premiered at a “Project Imaginat10n” Film Festival. The celebrities will be mentored by Howard in making the short films.

Strickland, who resides in Palms and works as a video editor in Beverly Hills, said that winning the contest validates his photography. After dabbling for several years, he got serious about his photography last year, he said. The “Hallyway” photo shoot, which depicts model Crystal Moxy as a ballerina, was his first. A make-up artist was also involved in the shoot.

The photo was shot with a Canon Rebel T2i with a longer exposure, Strickland said. He said the ballerina is slightly blurred, while the walls and floors of the abandoned complex are “razor sharp.”

“It’s kind of moving forward into the unknown,” Strickland said. “That’s … one of the defining features of all photography.”

Production will begin on the films later this year or early next year, with the finished products completed by mid-2013. Strickland doesn’t know which photos that “Hallway” will be grouped with, though he said he watched one of the films from last year, and it was “shockingly” good.

“I can’t wait to see it,” he added.

Strickland, a New York native who moved to Southern California 2002, said “Project Imaginat10n” is one of the most interesting photography contests he’s encountered. He’s excited about the exposure he’ll receive from such as “huge” contest.

“That alone … is priceless,” Strickland said.

Beiriger could not be reached for comment before deadline. For information, visit www.longliveimagination.com.