Winter usually greets us with frozen eyelashes and temperatures that make you question every life choice that brought you outside. But this year, instead of deep freeze mornings, we’ve been treated to stretches of beautiful warm weather and winter light – the kind that gets you excited about getting outdoors with your camera. And our January Photo Contest submissions proved you were ready for it. Judging by the month’s Winner, January stopped nobody from a wild photo adventure.
Submit your Photo for February's Photo Contest
WINNER
Julie Cork
Julie must know the winning formula for a contest win, because this is her 2nd win in the last few years, both with a star k9 as the winning subject. In her breathtaking image, Guardian of the Badlands, Julie captured her dog standing proudly atop a rock at Horsethief Canyon during a camping trip to Drumheller. With the wind dancing in her pup’s fur and that final kiss of golden light flooding the horizon, the scene feels both invigorating and serene – a perfect blend of Alberta landscape and loyal companion. It’s a moment of light, timing, and connection that will look beautiful on a 16x20 canvas. Congratulations, Julie.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Jordan Weiss
We’d also like to extend a big congratulations to our Honourable Mentions this month. Taking our first honourable mention spot is Jordan Weiss, who transported us halfway across the world with an image he captured during a road trip through Uzbekistan. His photograph captures an intense kabob grilling surrounded by a cinematic smoke cloud. Jordan has been a regular in our Top 3, and his submissions often take us on adventures to distant countries with rich culture and history. His photos are typically immersive, capturing the true essence of a travel photographer. What drew our McBain voting panel to Jordan’s image this month was its intensity and moodiness. There’s a steady, almost masterful focus in the preparation of this meal. It’s an image that engages the senses – inviting you to feel the heat, catch the aroma, and taste the flavour.
Calvin Binnema
New to our podium is Calvin Binemma’s honourable mention win as well. In striking contrast, Calvin’s black and white architectural image of a utility building at the U of A South Campus, takes us into a world of line, form, and structure. Calvin wrote of his image,
“I was attracted to the different areas of parallel lines offset by a couple of prominent diagonals. The shadows gave it a feeling of depth. It recently did well in an international competition.”
The image draws the eye through a dynamic contrast of shapes, arrangement, and an interplay between light and shadow, giving it more depth. We love how this image demonstrates the impact of strong composition and contrast – proof that a good photograph isn’t always about subject matter, but how you choose to frame it. Thank you, Calvin for submitting your art this month!
January proved that inspiration doesn’t hibernate. You can find it in wind-swept canyons, in back-alley kitchens halfway around the world, and even in the sharp angles of a utility building. Thank you to our winner, our honourable mentions and every photographer who continues to share their vision with our community. February is already underway, and we’re ready to be inspired all over again. So keep shooting and exploring.
Submit your Photo for a chance to win a 16x20 Gallery wrapped Canvas! Check out some other submissions from this month's photo contest below!
