Cameras are everywhere today — in every cellphone, laptop and hovering above the candy aisle of late-night convenience stores. But having the ability to snap an image in the blink of an eye doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve captured a moment that should be preserved. Technology can give you the tools, but it will always be the unteachable artistic eye that makes us truly appreciate the world around us.
I work with photographers every day as we discuss and plan the upcoming covers of Monday. But no matter how much planning we do, the best images are always the unexpected ones, the ‘let’s just try this’ moments that elevate a good photographer to a great one. It could be something small that the model does when he/she thinks no one’s looking, or the way the light slides off the scenary, but the best photographers have an eye that can turn those rare moments into cover gold.
And that’s what we’re looking for in our 11th Annual Monday Photo Contest: your rare moments. You likely already know what they are — those photos that linger in your mind and the ones all your friends want a copy of.
This year, we have six categories open to both black & white and colour entries. All the details and entry forms can be found online at:
mondaymag.com/contests, but here’s the 411 on the categories:
- Nature: In all forms from serene landscapes to turbulent ocean and idyllic city gardens.
- Urban: The grit that often goes unnoticed, from busy markets to architecture — the art between the blight.
- Animal: From wild to domestic — what makes you smile or gasp.
- Photoshop Creative: When normal isn’t good enough, computer tricks can add a new dimension.
- People - Non-staged: The human being in and out of his/her environment, caught unaware and natural.
- People - Staged: Fashion, makeup, hair — the human form is always appealing.
Make sure to follow all the rules on photo size, correct matting, etc., and make sure you have your entries in by noon, Sept. 1. The winning entries will be published in a special edition of Monday and displayed for the public at the brand new Cedar Hills Arts Centre. M