Winners

This photo was taken in cloudy weather and it was 7° Celsius at the time. To take this photo, I used my iPhone 13. The camera setting I used was portrait. This blurred the background of the image. I took this photo at Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan, BC. It is on the traditional land of the Quw’utsun people. The goal of the photograph was to show that even pain can [be] beautiful. I believe my photo achieved this goal.

The emotional connection I have with this photograph was pain as the tree has sharp needles. I believe that the shadows, blurred background, and finally the pattern of the tree, made this photo pop out. The tree in this photo is a monkey puzzle. A cool fact about this tree is that it is an endangered species. I don’t think I can improve anything about this photo. I like it the way it is. The reason I think this is because everything in the photo is natural, the photo quality is good, and it has natural imperfection like damaged or bent needles.

The title has a special meaning. 水天一色 translates literally to “water sky one colour.” The meaning behind the title is that the reflection is so akin to the landscape that they’re the same. The photo was taken in the midst of COVID-19, a time of chaos and confusion. Taking the trip and seeing the calm and still waters is a stark contrast to my usual life. I captured the moment knowing that there will hardly ever be a time as tranquil as this again, intending to look back on this in the future. The lines made by lilypads and the island are the only asymmetrical aspects of the photo, cutting through the reflection of the scenery. A reflection slightly darker than the original and subtle ripples in the water distinguish it from what it is derived from. The biome is Mixedwood plains, and the scientific aspect (if it can be considered one) is that light waves reflected by the still water create a reflection. I wish that there is more depth to the photo. If it were taken at a fairly higher angle or elevation, the photo would have displayed lilypads and the winding river that lay ahead.

As Canadians, we think that out of all animals we know the beaver like glass, as it is the national symbol of Canada. It is a very unique animal with a distinct feature, which is its large flat scaly tail. Now, take a second look at this animal. Is this a picture of a beaver? No, it is a Muskrat! Now that I have told you this animal is in the same species as a rat, you may think that this animal is something that carries diseases and is dirty. I fully understand if that is your point of view. The goal of this photograph was to present how similar a muskrat can look to a kit and how some stereotypes of animals are not accurate. This has a place in my heart because I had a pet rodent and I learned how much love they have to offer and how clean they are. In this photograph I see an animal that is living the life of its dreams in this lentic ecosystem. This photograph could be improved if the muskrat was closer to the shore.

My photograph, Rebirth by Pollinating, depicts a worker bee pollinating the blooming buds of the famous cherry blossoms in Toronto’s High Park. The goal of the photograph was to depict a beautiful scene of nature doing its thing while also having a deeper meaning in its relation to human society. Thousands of people flock to see cherry blossoms each year but only few of them realize the intricate workings of nature that allow for the majestic display. The bee in this photo is hard at work pollinating the buds, precisely transferring pollen from one flower’s anthers to another’s stigma, which then leads to a successful blossom and fruit. The trees stay dormant until they start blooming again, which instantly reminded me of how the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives. During the extensive shutdowns, we tried our best to stay dormant in our homes and owe immeasurable gratitude to the frontline and essential workers who, like the bee, kept everything running on track. Now as we progress out of the pandemic, we can bloom once again as a community, showing the world our beauty can’t be suppressed. My image has popping colours while also maintaining a lower contrast and high-key tone to capture the beauty of nature.

The attempt at an emotional impact of the photo is to make the viewer seem kind of like they are watching something that is usually ignored in daily life, we often skip past and don’t admire what is around us. The lytta sayi blister beetles in this photo are mating, which for them is a process that takes hours. One beetle attaches itself to another and they go about whatever they need to do for the day, I found these beetles climbing up a tree while wandering around a forest.

“Lazing in the Swamp Sun” illustrates a baby American alligator lying on a log and sunbathing in a swamp. The goal of this photo was to depict the innocence of alligators, which are generally seen as destructive and aggressive creatures. I believe this photo presents a sense of calmness, a feeling of respect between the alligator and myself. It stood still while I captured its beauty; the shine as the sun hit its scales and the hazel in its eye. And as long as I did not invade its space, it would not feel like it would have to defend itself. This photo creates depth of field as the alligator and its log are in focus, while the two branches in front of the alligator and the water behind it are out of focus. Alligators are critical to the ecosystem, by leaving holes and trails through marshes, they create habitats for other animals. This photo was captured in the tropical savanna biome of southern Florida. To improve this photo, I would attempt to get the entire length of the alligator in the shot, which would be a better representation of its size.

Note: Photo taken in Florida, United States