Kids see the darndest things
What's one of the things at the top of your checklist when you're packing for a family holiday?
Camera, check!
A trip to the Canadian Rockies is all the more memorable when you have great photographs to help recall the experience of spending time in this beautiful place.
Photographs are pretty near and dear to my heart, as I've always felt a great illustration makes the perfect package when matched with a well written story that appears just about anywhere - online, in a magazine, or in your daily newspaper. At SolaraLife, I am fortunate to work with some award-winning photographers who call Canmore home, as well as writers who enjoy the challenge of taking photographs to illustrate their own work.
I hadn't really thought much about the origins of skill for good photographers until quite recently. A recent experience has taught me that a good eye, and a natural bent for classic composition can begin pretty early in life - as young as age 6, in fact!
During artSPeak, Canmore's arts festival held in the middle of June, the team at Solara Canmore and K2 Developments held a photography contest for kids in Canmore. To level the playing field, we gave away 96 point-and-shoot disposable cameras, and accepted entries for the contest from kids and teens aged six to 14.
I have to admit I wasn't expecting a whole lot from the entrants, in terms of diversity or talent. I rather expected to see 80 per cent of the photos depicting the family pet, brothers and sisters sticking their tongues out, and maybe views from various living room windows in the community.
Boy, was I wrong.
Turns out that children in Canmore have quite an eye - as well as a respect and deep appreciation for the place they call home. A number of them hiked up mountains and to remote spots along the Bow River to capture scenery from unique points of view. Pictures of friends and family, and even pets, were far from posed, and represented the 'slice of life' that every good photographer looks out for. Sports figured into quite a few photos, from skateboarding to mountain biking to canoeing and hiking. In short, imagination and careful thought were evident in a vast majority of the entries.
We were able to secure two noted local professional photographers as judges. Colin Ferguson, a long-time resident and fabulous portrait artist was joined by award-winning photojournalist Pam Doyle in the difficult task of selecting winners.
|
I was fortunate to look over their shoulders during the judging, and amazed at their observations on a handful of young photographers who appear to have a natural gift for this art. The youngest age category, the six to eight year olds, had more than a few examples of beautifully composed photographs.
Take a look at the top three photos in the attachment we've placed here - we think you'll be impressed by the work of these young Canmorites.
During the artSPeak festival weekend June 10-12, Solara secured a donation of downtown Canmore office space from Glacier Congratulations to all nine winners, and to each and every entrant for their great efforts. The winners are:
Six to eight year olds: 1st, Tomi Postma, age 6; 2nd, Emma Ettinger, age 8; 3rd, Rhiannon Rogers, age 6.
Nine to 11 year olds: 1st, Jestin Gabert, age 10; 2nd & 3rd, Lesia Rathje, age 10.
Twelve to 14 year olds: 1st, Logan Henney-Beasley, age 14; 2nd, Jennifer Eddy, age 14; 3rd, Jeremy Greenberg, age 12.
Each first place finisher took home $250 from Solara Canmore, while second and third place finishers took home $25 each from artSPeak plus prizes from sponsors that included the Canmore Rotary Club, Kinsella Art Studio, Boston Pizza, White Mountain Adventures, Banff Gondola, and the Sally Borden Recreation Centre.
So, the moral of this story is: Pack your cameras. And don't forget to get your kids to pack their cameras, too!
- Shari Bishop Bowes, Editor, SolaraLife
We welcome your comments and suggestions, as well as submissions from freelance writers who have a passion for the Canadian Rockies. Contact us at contact@solaralife.com
|
