Arresting Images

The winners in Monday’s ninth annual Photo Contest continue to amaze and inspire

Every year, we expect to see a reduction of entries in Monday Magazine’s annual photography contest. Not because we want to, just because we find it hard to believe that so many good photographers lurk amidst the margins of the city. The professionals we know about, but since this contest is only open to people who make less than 50 percent of their overall income by taking pictures, it’s the consistent quality of those who fall into the unflattering “amateur” category that continue to take us by surprise. And while this year’s entries did drop off marginally—down from 575 entries last year to 550 this year—it’s clear that photography is one area where the economic downturn seemed to have little effect.

Our 2009 judges for the Colour, Black-and-White and Theme categories were acclaimed local award-winning photographer Frances Litman; Neil Medcalf, photographer and photo services manager of the Cook Street Village Pharmasave, returning for his second year; and Darshan Stevens, Monday’s young photographer du jour. And, truth be told, the combination of those three judges—and their individual interests and eyes (Litman’s attention to concept and execution, Medcalf’s focus on detail and creativity, and Stevens’ more photojournalistic approach)—brought an extra frisson to the judging this year. Also back again to make their Prism’s Choice selections—chosen from all entries, regardless of category—were longtime judge Dave Pollock (who is having his own show this week, see page 23 for more on that) and his associate Dave Mantel, both of Prism Imaging.

While there were a surprising number of images that had to be excluded from judging due to their failure to meet the size criteria—some of which would have certainly placed in the top-10 for various categories—and a few that would have been more seriously considered as potential prize-winners had there been more attention to print detail (all the judges would like to remind entrants not to skimp on printing when entering contests), there was still no shortage of winning entries. While it’s only the top three that win, the short list for each category was easily 10 or 20 images; and all images were judged blindly, with the name of the winning photographer only revealed after the final selection had been made.

The winning images were chosen by a combination of degree of interest in the subject, photographic technique, difficulty in capturing a moment, print quality, emotional content, overall technique and use (or lack) of colour; and, once again, things like poor cropping and tired subject matter helped eliminate pictures from the winner’s circle. (Frequently heard while the judges were culling: “Too busy,” “Too regular,” “Too much going on,” “‘Too boring.”)

Don’t forget, what you’re seeing here are only some of the finalists—due to space limitations, we’re unable to run all the top-three winners in each category (but you can see them all online at mondaymag.com). And be sure to drop by the Community Arts Council Gallery at G6-1001 Douglas (in the Sussex Building) between September 11 and 23, where every single entry is on display. And if you’d like to join us for the opening reception, swing by between 6 and 9 p.m. Friday, September 11, where you can mix and mingle with the winners and some the judges.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Tune in next year for the 10th annual contest. Who knows what the big 10 will bring?

Monday’s Annual Photo Contest
Opening reception 6-9 p.m.
Friday, September 11
Show runs to Wednesday, September 23
10 am-5 pm Monday-Friday
Community Arts Council Gallery,
G6-1001 Douglas (at Fort)
381-2787 • info@cacgv.ca

Winners: Black and White

First place: Kate Seymour - Art Deco Train Station

Frequent past winner Kate Seymour is back with another winning image that helps cement the enduring appeal of black-and-white photography, even in this colour-soaked digital age. All three judges quickly agreed on this as the winning entry, a solid study in geometry and tones of light and dark.

“I knew as soon as I saw this that it was one of Kate’s photographs,” said Medcalf after the name was revealed. “She’s got such a distinct style.” (As a curious side-note, however, the judges did feel there were some very strong black-and-white entries in the other categories—but, as with any contest, images have to be judged only in the category in which they’re entered.)

Second place: Benjamin Madison - Untitled

Third place: James Tuohy- Krystina Inside Butter Church

Winners: colour

First place: James Sykes - Untitled

In a category that was fraught with difficult decisions, this first-place winner was undisputed by all judges. From the use of colour to the overall framing of the shot this was, as Stevens put it, “an easy winner.”   “It’s so colour-full,” quips Medcalf.

Second Place: Timothy E. Southwood - Chaise Noire-Zéro

Third Place: Paul Whyte - Untitled

Prism's Choice

Tim Isaak - Untitled

Tim Isaak, who also picked up third place in “Keep It Close,” won the judges’ favour with the transitional nature of this shot. “The temporariness of the structure matches his own apparent temporary position,” says Mantel.

“It’s the framing—in every sense of the word,” offers Pollock. “There are multiple frames going on here. It’s like the whole thing is cut into thirds.”

“And we could have failed it on technical merit,” says Mantel, “but there was enough going on there that I didn’t want to reject it.”

Aaron Lam - A Prostitute in Beijing

Past winner Aaron Lam is back again this year with this black-and-white winner. “It’s the directness of her gaze that captures the viewer,” says Pollock. 

“Title aside, you can’t tell if they just met or if they’re in a relationship,” says Mantel. “But it really captures a moment.”

Susan Underwood - Exit

No stranger to Monday’s photo contest, Susan Underwood is back with another winner this year. “I’m always interested in pictures of the everyday. The most interesting pictures I see are actually accidents,” says Pollock. “The visual elements here—especially the framing of the doorway—creates a beautiful spatial illusion. And I really like the artificiality of the lighting.”

“That, and the colour itself—the colour relationship is exceptional,” agrees Mantel.

Tony van den Boomen - Reflection, James Bay Square

It was the emotion of this shot that caught the judges’ eyes. “Technically, it’s not there,” says Mantel. “But you’re immediately thrown into a sense of reaction, what the woman is experiencing—based on the washed-out look.”

“It’s very meditative,” says Pollack, “that idea of trying to see through the fog. And it’s like there’s a performance going on with those other people watching her.”

James Mulchinock - Untitled

Chalk this one up to capturing a quirky moment. “I don’t know what to say about this one,” laughs Mantel. “It’s perfect visually, the different juxtapositions of the people and the instruments. The random chaos was the biggest attraction for me; it’s just bizarre.”

Designer's Choice

Adriana Durian - Amore Infinito

Chosen by Darshan Stevens as the shot to go on Monday’s cover, this image intrigued Stevens not only with its implied narrative (romance? escape? simple childhood innocence?) but also with the combination of tones (the white of the skirt versus the shine of the balloons) and the juxtaposition of crispness and haze. “It’s like seeing someone’s memory,” she says.  

Theme Categories

Heaven and Earth

First Place: M. Cartesan - Untitled

“This was a difficult category,” admits Litman—and  that may be the understatement of this year’s contest. Having a category called “Heaven & Earth” opened the photographers and judges to a whole world of interpretation—and, as Medcalf noted, “interpretation is everything.”

While the judges went back and forth again and again on the second, third and even fourth place finishers in this category (the only one in which they couldn’t settle on only three), they all agreed on this untitled shot as the winner. From its combination of afterlife haze and otherworldly timelessness to the crucifx-esque telephone pole and the corresponding wires—possibly communicating with heaven from Earth—this one easily nabbed first place.

Second Place: Ruth Paul - Air Born

Third Place: Nancy Brown - Curvaceous Beauty

Honourable Mention: Leonard S. Butt - Autumn Still Life

Wild Kingdom

First Place: Nancy Brown - Rhinos

Check the fine print in the other categories and you’ll find Nancy Brown’s name in both “Heaven & Earth” and “Shapes & Sizes.” “We all saw this and immediately thought, ‘Well done,’ says Litman.

“It’s the lighting, the composition, the overall quality,” Medcalf agrees.  “It’s got a nice glow to it,” says Stevens. 

Second Place: Lauren Villines - Untitled

Third Place: John Hanna - Oops! Terribly Sorry. Did I Screw Up Your Picture? 

Shapes and Sizes

First Place: Jazmyn Sharp - Curve

This shot, perhaps more than any of the others, really captured the essence of this category. Not only is it totally focussed on the idea of shapes and sizes, but it also has that local edge. “It’s like a miniature building,” says Stevens, “one of those architectural models.”  

“Agreed, it’s simply really good,” says Litman.

Second Place: Lorraine Langstaff - Metallic Melange

Third Place: Nancy Brown - Rhythym 

Keep it Close

First Place: Shawn Kennedy - Untitled

One of the best categories for artistic interpretation, the selection of this shot as the “Keep It Close” winner was a combination of interpretation (“Was it a close call?” ponders Medcalf) and technique.

“The closeness of the fog draws you in,” notes Stevens, who was also keen on the “warm light” and overall ambience.

“There’s a story here,” agrees Litman. “Is there a corpse in the front seat or did they get away? It’s mysterious, and surprising.”

Second Place: Hanna Cowpe - Salsley Seedhead

Third Place: Tim Isaak- Untitled