Our annual Amateur Photography Contest brings the delights again this year

 

We have winners! The call went out last summer for the annual Amateur Photography Contest and once again, Atlantic Canadians did not disappoint. We had hundreds of entries, and the biggest challenge was narrowing them down to some finalists. But our team of intrepid judges, from our design and marketing team, prevailed, and we’re proud to bring you this year’s outstanding winners.

Entries will reopen in the fall for the 2022/23 contest, but in the meantime, shutterbugs are also welcomed to enter the Staycation Contest on our website.

Keep making great pictures, everyone.

 

Grand Prize Winner

“A Fiddler’s Tune”

Evan Thompson-MacKay, Halifax, NS

Evan’s photo was taken at Lawrencetown Beach, NS, last February. He loves this photo for several reasons, one being that on a technical level, it may be the best photo he has ever taken. He adds, “I was able to capture my best friend, local musician Angus MacDonald, doing what he loves to do at his favourite place, the beach. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded not only of the day we went out to take that photo, but other memories of us together.” All our judges were delighted by this compelling and beautiful scene.

First Place

“Seen Better Days”

Tim Harding, Digby, NS

Tim tells us, “This photo was taken at Sandy Cove along the Digby Neck. I’d seen the old hull there several times while I was driving by. It was almost completely submerged at high tide. I knew I wanted to photograph it and waited for a stormy day with dramatic skies to make this image. It struck me that at one time, that boat was somebody’s pride and joy. Who knows how many families it fed, and the adventures it had in its lifetime? It has since been removed by the province, one of several old wrecks they cleaned up last year.”

Uniquely Atlantic Canadian

Honourable mention

“December Sky at Borden”

Stephen Chiasson, Halifax, Ns

Halifax resident Steve Chiasson and his family spend their summers in PEI not far from the bridge. He says, “We noticed a spectacular sunset developing…and knew the colour wouldn’t last long. The wind was strong and sharp when I got out of the vehicle at the park in Borden and sprinted toward the top of the park. I captured the Confederation Bridge perfectly backlit from the sunset, as the strong winter wind tossed huge waves. I had perfect timing to grab the shot on my iPhone, no filters or editing required.”

World up close

First Place

“Siberian Squill”

Paul Newton, Hebbville, NS

Paul is a retired family physician from the South Shore who describes himself as a wildlife artist with a 40-year passion for photography. His image of the early-blooming Siberian squill flower is a testament to that passion, shot with a special lens for very closeup photography. He says, “The images I capture are my way to remember feelings and emotions evoked, long after the outing. I don’t have to go very far in my pursuits, as Nova Scotia and the South Shore have so much beauty and raw energy to offer.”

This image was taken on a very dewy, cool morning in Paul’s partner’s garden, and it was a favourite of all our judges.

 

Honourable mention

“Standing Alone Together”

Korey Pick, Musquodoboit, NS

 

Korey and his wife Nicole Avery were hiking near Musquodoboit in the fall when these mushrooms caught his eye. He says, “The yellow heads caught the light perfectly between a crack of two large boulders. Timing is everything, because I am not sure how the light even reached them. I loved the colors and the framing so much that I spent the next 20 minutes rolling around on the ground trying to get the right picture. My wife has more patience than I deserve.”

First Place

“Relax on the Aspotogan”

Robert Harris, Blandford, NS

 

Recently retired and relocated to Blandford with his family, Robert says, “I love exploring and I’m one of those guys that likes to take the road less travelled. I followed the Aspotogan road to the end and got out and sat on the rocks. It was a blustery day, with the clouds in constant motion and the water was quite choppy. Despite all the movement around me, I was quite relaxed sitting on the rocks looking out at Marrs Island (L) and Black Island (R) in Aspotogan Harbour.”

Landscapes and nature

Honourable mention

“Reflection on Barnaby River”

Kim Wickholm, Oak Point, NB

 

Of this tranquil and beautiful image, Kim says, “I love to find beauty in every scene, whether sunsets, sunrises, nature, or people. I grew up in this community where the photo was taken, and the scene is from the swimming hole where I spent much of my childhood.” She and her oldest daughter were taking in the cool fall day when the perfect scene of still waters and fall colours presented themselves to her.

First Place

“Wonder, Midland Ice Caves”

Beth West, Kinnear Settlement, NB

 

Beth told us, “The picture was taken on my birthday in February at the Midland ice caves, just outside of Sussex, NB. My husband, three kiddos, and I had a wonderful time on the 5-km hike. That beautiful, sunny day, we had the place to ourselves. We had lunch inside the caves, where my family sang happy birthday to me. The photo captures that sense of wonder through a child’s eyes…it’s the best part of being a parent.”

People and Folks

Honourable mention

“Sunset Fog”

Norm Duffley, Sweetland, Ns

 

Of this moody, dreamlike-image, Norm tells us, “Hirtles Beach on the South Shore, NS is one of our favourites for sunsets. Last November we found some amazing light filtering through a fog bank rolling into our west. Sometimes you need luck to get an image, and this was certainly one of those times.”

Staff Picks

“Blue at Malpeque Harbour”

Mireille Hall, Moncton, NB

Mireille says, “Just after the sun sets, there is what photographers call the ‘Blue Hour.’ Not really an hour of time, but the colour blue is predominant. I was on the island taking a 3-day photography workshop given by a local professional photographer. We would get up early for the sunrise and catch the sunset too. Long days but lots of fun.”

“Day Before the Grand Opening”

Kerry MacEachern, Lower Sackville, Ns

Kerry is a gardener and loves sunflowers. She says, “I took this picture because it captured the moment before the sunflower said ‘Look at me…’ and which was beautiful, too. I love photography because it gives us a chance to preserve a memory that will last forever.”